St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-24
TWO SOLDIERS SLEEP
Gen. Robert C. Schenek Dies
at His Home at the Ma
tional Capital.
Capillary Bronchitis Develops
Into Pneumonia, Proving
Suddenly Fatal.
A Tribute to the Soldier and
Diplomat by Secretary
Blaine.
The Remains Of the Late Gen.
Crook Sent to Maryland
for Burial.

WASHINGTON, March 23.-Gen. Ro-
bert Cumming Schenck, congressman,
soldier and diplomat, and leader in
public affairs a generation or more ago,
died at o'clock this evening of pneu-
monia at his residence on Massachu-
setts avenue, just off Thomas circle. 1t
was not until yesterday that it was
known that he was seriously i'll, but
when his friends heard Of it they were
prepared for the worst because of his ad-
vanced age. He had been ailing for
about two weeks, but attached very lit
tie Importance to his complaint. Sun
day last he was out calling with B. II.
Warder, formerly of Ohio, but for sew
eral years a we'll known resident OF
this city, and seemed in his usual
health, save for a slight bronchial
cough. 1t was not until last Tuesday
that it was thought necessary to call in
a physician. DR.. II. 9. YarroW was
sent for, and found Gen. Schenck suf-
fering faDm capillary bronchitis.
Within twenty-four hours limited pneu-
monia of the right lung set in, and,
later, the left lung also became in
volved. Dr.. Yarrow called DIR.
O'Reilly in consultation and DR.. LOr-
ini was engaged to be In constant at
tendance. so that any sudden danger
which might arise might be averted.
When DR.. YarrOw visited Gen. Schenck
this morning, he found him
Much Worse,
and it was discovered that a diptheretic
eXudatiOn was commencing on the right
side of the throat. He became brighter
about noon, but from that time grew
rapidly weaker until the end came. His
mind was clear and bright to the very
last. His three daughters, Mrs. Bates,
all old friend, aud Miss SedgWick were
with him at the time of his death. The
funeral arrangements will be IN charge
of Mr.. Warder. The interment will
take place at Dayton, o. In view of the
diphtheret.c complications in the case
the funeral will be strictly private. Gen.
Schenck was in his eighty-firSt year, hay
ing been born in Franklin, o., Oct. 4,
1909. He was graduated from Miami
university in 1927, and, after spending
three additional wears at the college,
studied law with Thomas Corwin. he
served two years in the state legislature,
and acquitted himself so well that he
was elected to congress as a Whig, Serv-
ing from 1913 till 1851. President Fill
more then sent him to Brazil as minister
plenpotentiary. While serving in this
capacity he distinguished himself as a
diplomat by taking conspicuous part
in the negotiation of treaties with
Paraguay, Uruguay and the Argentine
Republic. After two years in Brazil he
returned to Ohio. his native state, but
took no part IN politics. When
The Civil War
broke out he at once offered his SER
vices TO the government and was COM
missioned brigadier general by Presi-
dent Lincoln May II, 1861. He served
with his brigade in the first battle of
Bull Run, in which the Union army
was defeated. He next served in West
Virginia under General Rosecrans and
did some brilliant fighting at Mcdowell
and Cross Keys. Gen. Fremont then
entrusted him with the command of a
division and, while leading the first
division of Franz Siegel's corps at the
second battle of Bull Run, his right arm
was shattered by a musket ball. incapac-
itating him for service for some time.
j
be major general and, in December of
that year, he took command of the mid
die department and Eighth corps at
Baltimore. He rendered effective serv-
ice in the Gettysburg campaign. He
was nominated for congress against the
noted anti war Democrat Vallandig-
ham, and, though the district was
Democratic, he carried the election.
and resigning his post in the army, took
his seat in the house of representatives
Dec. 8, 1868. He was Immediately made
chairman Of the committee on
Military Affairs,
and during this and the following con.
gress his position enabled him to dc
good service to the Union cause. He
was reelected to the two succeeding
congresses, and throughout the excit-
ing times during and after the war he
took a leading part in the proceedings
In the house. During his last term he
was chairman OF the ways and means
committee and leader of the house,
succeeding Thad Stevens in com.
mand of the Republican party
He was minister to England in
1870 and in 1871 one of the Alabama
claims commissioners, retaining this
last Office for five years, when he re.
signed. Since that time he has made
his home in this city, where he was a
warm favorite. He was familiar fig
ure at Republican gatherings here, but
took no active part in politics. His life
had been several times despaired OF
during the last decade, but his hardy
constitution and strong will pulled him
through. Secretary Blaine was much
attached to him and sent an affection
ate note to him yesterday when he
heard of his illness. He was kind
and genial, shrewd and witty.
In his book Mr.. Blaine pays the dead
man warm compliment. "No man in
congress during the present genera.
ton" he says. ''has rivaled Gen
Schenck as fivesminute debater. In
the five-minute discussion in committee
of the whole he was an intellectual mar
vel. The cOmpactness and clearness ot
his statement, the facts and arguments
which he could marshal in that brlei
time, were constant surprise and de
light to his hearers" He leaves three
daughters. 1t is expected that Bishop
Leonard, formerly rector of ST. Johns
Episcopal church of this city, will con
duct the services at Dayton.