The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-14
FOUND DEAD In HIS BED.
GEN. BBLKNAP'S LIFE ENDED By
AN APoPLEorIC STROKE.

Belief That Death Occurred More
Than Twenty-four Hours Before the
Body Was Discovered-A Major Gem
erel in the Late War and Secretary
OF War During Grants Administra-
ton.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.-Gen. w. w,
Belknap, Secretary of War under Presi-
dent Grants administration, was found
dead in his bed about o'clock this morn
ing. 1t is believed that death occurred be-
tween l O'Clock Saturday night and o
o'clock Sunday morning. From John W.
Cameron, Gen. Belknap's business associate,
IL was learned that for some time it has
been the generals habit to meet a few
friends at the home Of DIR. Hit, who lives
less than "a square away, for a social game
of cards. Last Saturday night he
was with them as usual and re-
mained till nearly midnight. when he
returned to his apartments in the
Evans building. at 142 New York avenue.
and presumably retired Immediately. He
was never again seen alive.
DISCOVERY on HIS DEATH.
About $3.50 o'clock this morning Cameron
arrived at the building, and taking the mail
for himself and the general from the box
en- the first floor proceeded to the second
door, where their office and the generals
apartments are located. He separated tie
generals mail from his own, which he be-
gan reading, when tho servant girl who
keeps the rooms In order raped at the door
and inquired II Gen. Belknap was out of
the city. saying that she had several times
since Sunday morning tried the doors, but
M .1rA1
startled at what the girl had said,
Immediately tried the doors himself.
but they were locked. The janitor was
summoned, and, bringing stepladder.
looked through the transom over the door
leading from the public hall into the gen.
erals sitting room. He could see the gem
erals hat on a table and his coat and vest
upon chair standing near. The stepladder
was then placed against the door leading
into his bedroom. The bed was then seen
and the general was lying partly un-
covered on 1t. His left arm was
bent rigidly toward his head, and his left
hand tightly clutched as though death had
come while he was in a oouvulsion. The bed
clothes were somewhat disarranged, as If
there had been slight struggle for breath.
STRICKEN WITH APoPLExY.
Aphysician was summoned, and after max
ing brief examination, he expressed tho
opinion that death had resulted from q
stroke OF apoplexy. The coroner soon after
ward arrived and took the body in charge.
An autopsy will be held later.
Mrs Belknap, who has been at Newport
and other eastern seaside resorts during
the summer months, but in New York city
during the last few weeks, was summoned
by telegraph; also the generals son Hugh
from his home In Chicago, where he is en-
ployed in the office OF the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company.
SUFFERER FROM GoUT.
For some years past Cen Belknap has
been suffering from gout. and In February
last he had so severe an attack he hardly
left his room for three months or more
During that time he lost in flesh between
thirty and forty pounds, and since then he
has been In poor health. In consequence Of
his long illness his business has suffered and
this has worried him at times Mr.. Cameron
last saw the general at about 3 o'clock Sat-
urday afternoon. He had been talking OF
his business affairs and seemed somewhat
depressed, but before Mr.. Cameron left he
had In measure regained his usual cheer
fuiness
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Gen. Belknap was the son of an army
officer and 80 years old. He was graduated
from Princeton College aud settled at Keo-
kuk, Ia, whore he practised law. He
entered the union army in 1861 as major OF
volunteers. DE fought in the battles Of
Shiloh and Vicksburg, and was with Sher-
man In his march to the sea, receiving sue
cesslve promotions to the grade Of major
general. After the war ne was appointed
collector OF internal revenue which he re-
signed to enter Grants cabinet in October,
1869, as Secretary of War. lie remained in
the cabinet until 1915 and then resumed
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