St. Paul daily globe., 1888-05-12
IT CAME like SLEEP.
Testimony of Those Who Saw
Minnesota's Pioneer
When He Died.
Death Came to Commodore
Kittson Unannounced, and
Was Probably Painless.
Brought to His Late
Home,
From Whence They Will Be
Buried Privately Next
Monday Afternoon.

chronIcled yesterday, was shock to the
whole community, which, to man, al
most, had personal acquaintance with
him who had done so much toward up
building the city and state. On every
hand were heard expressions of sincere
sorrow. Popular sentiment voiced full
appreciation of the loss sustained by the
Northwest, and especially the Twin
Cities of Minnesota, where his interests
were chiefly concentrated, in the re-
moval of so prominent figure. The
meager particulars first Obtainable as to
the manner of Mr.. Kittson's death were
supplemented yesterday by the state
ments of eye-witnesses of the event
who arrived on the early morning train
over the Omaha. Among the number
was w. NJ. Wilson, of the Otis Iron &
Steel company, Chicago. To a reporter
for the GLOBE he detailed the circum-
stances attending the dissolution.
"Nlr. Kittson occupied the section op-
posite mine in the sleeping car" Mr..
Wilson said, "and to all appearances
was in full health. Not knowing who
he was l paid very little attention to
him and probably would not have no.
ticed him at all had he not been my
nearest neighbor in the car. AT pre-
cisely 6:55 O'Clock l went into the dining
car to get supper, and Mr.. KittSon fol-
lowed few minutes later. We sat at
adjoining tables facing each other. AS
my supper was being served he ordered
his. The waiter turned to go into the
kitchen, and Mr.. Kittson, without so
much even as a gasp. sunk back against
the window.
FEARFUL OF THE WORST,
rushed to his side and took hold of his
wrist. Death must have come to him
almost inStantaneOuSly, as | could not
distinguish when his pulse left him.
The several other passengers in the dim
ing car and the train officials quickly
gathered about the body, which was
tenderly raised and placed in a Ieclin-
ing position, with pillow under the
head. Up to this time no one seemed to
be able to identify the dead. Some one
suggested it was Commodore Kittson.
l searched the pockets, and in one found
an envelope bearing Mr.. Kittson's ad-
dress. This diSpelled all doubt, and in
less time than it takes me to tell it the
news spread through the train. Many
of the passengers knew Mr.. Kittson
personally, and his shockingly sudden
demise was a severe blow to them,
especially as but few moments prior
to the tragic occurrence Mr. Kittson
was apparently in perfect health. ''It
has been my painful experience" Mr..
| Wilson continued, Ito see many men
| die, but | never saw more peaceful
| death than that of the aged commodore.
| There was not a gasp, or even sigh.
l could not discern the twitching of a
muscle or the usual death rattle. His
| life passed away as in breath, and
without any forewarning. That so
| prominent a man, or any one, should
| die away from home and friends is pain
full, but the general atmosphere of this
| event was of uneXpressible sadness,
and | trust that l shall never witness
another of similar character"
DR.. SD. Flagg, who was Mr.. Kittson's
| physician, expressed the opinion that
| death came without pain and without
any sign that could have indicated to
| Commodore Kittson his real condition.
The machinery had simply stopped
without sign of warning. A physician
| from Chippewa Falls. who Glanced to
| be on the train and was called at once.
was of a like opinion. There was no
| trace of pain, and it was the doctor S
belief that Mr.. Kittson was not con-
scious of the approach of death, but
UIldG IL CdIllG INSTANTLY. duu Will no
symptom to herald it.
THE REMAINS BROUGHT HOME.
The remains were partially embalmed
| and placed in a caSket at GAINESVILLE,
| and in few hours were placed upon
| the limited of the Omaha road to be
| brought home. Norman Kittson and
| Lewis Baker, ST., met the train at
| Menominee junction, and returned
| with it.
A considerable crowd of friends and
relatives gathered on the union depot
| platforms yesterday afternoon to honor
| the arrival of the dead. The train ar.
| rived at 1:50. The venerable Gen
| Sibley was among the first to look upon
| lifelong friend. Without any unneces-
sary delay the casket was removed to
| the hearse waiting at the depot entrance.
| Among those who stood with bowed
heads as it was borne along were men
| from all ranks in life, and many who
| have owed their start on the road to
prosperity to his generous assistance.
| The remains were taken to the family
residence on Summit avenue, followed
| by carriages. In the first two were the
near relatives of Mr.. Kittson, DR.. Flagg,
Rev. Dr.. Pope, Col. II. P; Rqgg and
| Lewis Baker. Sr. Gen. Sibley rode
dIOIS III HIS plIsdIC Cdl1IdSC. 1C plO-
| cession moved slowly UP the hill an
the people who lined the streets on
| either side, uncovered as it passed.
THE FUNERAL.
In accordance with the well-known
| ideas of Commodore Kittson the funeral
will be private and unostentatious. 1t
will be held from his late residence, on
| Summit avenue, Monday at o'clock.
--@Sa-
Ouantrelrs Old Band.