The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-03-22
GENERAL CROOK DEAD.
The Commander Of the Department of the
Missouri, Suddenly Stricken.

Ihe commander OF the Department OF Jhe
Missouri, Suddenly Stricken,
CHICAGO. Ill. March 21.-Maior General
George Crook, L. S. A, in command Of the
division of the Missouri. died at the
Grand Pacific hotel at 7:15 o'clock this
morning of heart disease. There had not
been the slightest warning that General
Crook was not perfectly well. He was at
army headquarters all day yesterday and
usual good health. He got up
as usual this morning at Z
O'Clock and while dressing suddenly
said TO his wife: Il can't breathe" Mrs.
Crook helped him 10 Il sofa and doctor
was at once summoned bUt before he could
reached the room General Crook was dead.
The general has been in command of the
department of the Missouri for several
years, Succeeding General Schoicld.
MIR. John Drake, proprietor Of the Grand
Pacific and an intimate friend of
General Crook, made the following
statement 10 an Associated Press reporter;
General Crook arose shortly before
Z o'clock this morning apparently in his
usual health, and In accordance with his
custom began exercising with the weights
and pulleys connected with an apparatus
for the purpose which he kept in his room.
After exercising for a few minutes he
stopped and laid down upon lounge. In
a few minutes he called out to his wife:
'Oh, Mary. Mary. / need some help, |
can't get my breath" Assistance was at
once summoned, and Dr. Hurlbut, who
lives near, was sent for. Everything that
could be done was done, but he failed to
rally and died at 7:15. Mrs Crook
and her sister. Mrs. Reid, were the only
members of the family present at his
bedside when he passed away. He had no
children.
DR. v /. Hurlbut the physician
who was summoned, said: Il arrived at
General Crooks bedside only three or four
minutes before death superyened. He was
suffering from irregular action of the
heart and his lungs or chest seemed to lie
filed up. We did what we could for him
in the way Of hot applications with sina-
pisms, hot bags to his feet, etc, but ne
was in articulo mOrtiS when / arrived aud
uled without rallying. II appeared to
be a case of heart failure. but | could
not be positive about that as ! had
never been called to attend him before
There may have been some stomach com
plCatiOns."
Major Randall. of General Crook staff
said: we have noticed for some time
that General Crook was not in his usual
health. He was a man who never com
planned and said very little about his suf-
ferings At the theater last night | saw
that he was not feeling at all well. and
NO but think that was the beginning
of the end.
The arrangements for the funeral have
not been made General SchoteId has
been telegraphed to in regard 10 the latter
and his wishes win be considered The
burial viii probably take place at Oak
land, Md, the home of his wife'S people. |
though possibly it may be thought best to
inter the remains in Arlington national
cemetery at Washington General Crook
was 6l years old in September last
The remains have been taken charge Of
10y an undertaken who is now preparing :
the body for its coffin.
WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SHOCKED.
WASHINGTON. March 2l.-The news Of !
the death of General Crook was a great /
shock TO the officials of the war depart /
mcut. Secretary Proctor was particularly /
affected by the intelligence, aS he had very /
intimate associations with General Crook /
during his recent visit to Washington a few (
weeks ago. lie sent personal message OF /
coincidence to Mrs. Crook and gave iuStruc- [
tons for the preparations of = general order (
announcing General Crooks death to & ne I
army. This order VIII depict the worth and /
distinguished services Of the deceased and /
VIII direct that the flags Of all military I
posts be placed at half mast ON the day Of /
his funeral and also that officers of the ser /
vice wear the usual badges of mourning I
for the period of nirtv days.
AdlujaGt General kcltUn said this after /
noon tnat the funeral arrangements VIII I.
bc conducted entirely in accordance with .
the wjshe, of the family and viii to some (
extent depend upon thV time and place of /.
burial From has personal aCquaintaI c. .
with General Crock be was of the opinion /
that hCwouldnol care to have any particular .
! omp or ceremony az hIS funeral. The de .
tails VIII bee arranged however. as soon As /
the wishes ui rhe Iamily are known.
THE NEWS At LEAVENwoErH
FOBr LEAVFNWuETH. Kan. March gl-|
The news of the death of General Crook
was received here with genuine regret
When the department is officially notified .
pt his death the usual memorial order viii .
lie issued.
GENERAL SHERMAN INTERVIEWED
NEW YORK. March 21.-A reporter was
{ he first To convey the news OF the sudden
death of General GeorGe Cook 10 General
William sherman. The hale old veteran
was piacldA enjoying his inevitable cigar.
but El> hand shook a. he removed IL % eV-
press his deep concern and regret az the
death OF hls old Jomrade IN arms. George
rock WAS always a man on whom sre
could depend. said he "HewaS the most
successful man in dealing with the Indians
that the jnltcd States ever had in its ser
vice. The mdinuS respected and trusted
him as be could bring them around or
make them amenaalc 10 reason whe~,.
every one else failed During the
rebellion Crook had charge OF the second
ravalry division, stationed in southern [
Alabama, and did excellent work. Dur-
Ing my fifteen years ao cummander-in-chief I
OF the army | had ample opportunity 10
rnd ont Crooks good traits. and never
found him anything bus "a man who could
be depended on in every emergency. The (
war department VIII. Of course. take the
funeral arrangements in hand and [ sun
pose his wife viii want the remains inferred
a. Cumberland. Nd. her native place.
In accordance with the wishes of Mrs
Crook il was arranged this afternoon thar
The funeral services shall he held on sun
cay evening. The remains viii then be