The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-14

Chairman of the Committee on Expenditures
In the War Department, submitted to the
House of Representatives series of resolu-
tlons looking forward TO the impeachment
of General Belknap for the alleged crime of
selling pest-traderships. The trial lasted
until August first of the same year, when a
vote was taken upon sustaining or rejecting
the charges, resulting in vote of Sc to sus-
tain and 25 to reject. The requisite two
thirds not having voted in the affirmative, a
verdict of acquittal was ordered to be ent-
cred, which was done.
1t is believed death occurred between 1
O'Clock Saturday night and O'Clock Sunday
morning. From John w. Cameron, General
Belknap's business associate, it was learned
that for some time it had been the Generals
habit to meet few friends at the home Of
DIR. Hill, who lives less than square away,
for social game of cards. Saturday night
he was with them as usual, and remained
until nearly midnight, when he returned to
his apartments In the Evans Building, at
1420 New York avenue. and presumably re-
tired Immediately He never again was
seen alive.
About $50 o'clock this morning Cameron
arrived at the building and proceeded to the
second fiUor, where their offices and the
Generals apartments were located. TIE
servant girl. who keeps the rooms, raped at
the door and inquired if General Belknap
was out of the city, saying she had several
times since Sunday morning tried the doors,
but found them locked. The doors were
then forced open and the body was found
lying partly uncovered on the bed. The
left arm WAS bent rigidly toward the head.
and the left hand clenched as though death
came While he was in cOnvulsi0n.
The Ded-clotheS were somewhat disar-
ranged, as if there had been slight strug-
gle for breath. \ physician was summoned.
and after making all examination expressed
the opinion that death resulted from stroke
of apopleXy The Coroner soon afterward
arrived and took the body in charge.
An autopsy disclosed the fact that the i'm
mediate cause of death was inflammation
of the inner lining OF the heart.
Mrs. Belknap, who was in New York was
summoned by telegraph also the Generals
son Hugh from Chicago. For some years
Belkuap has been almost a constant sufferer
from gout. In February be had so severe
an attack that he hardly left his room for
three months or more. During that time he
lost in flesh between thirty and forty
pounds. Since then he has been in poor
nealth. In consequence of his long illness
his business suffered, and this worried him
at times.
As soon as the death of Belknap was
known at the War Department Acting Sec
retary Grant ordered the flag on the build
ing at half-mast in honor of the ex-Secre-
tary and gave directions that the building be
draped in black for the customary period
He also communicated with the family of
the deceased to offer what assistance they
night desire from the department in the ar
rangementS for the funeral. As soon as the
funeral arrangements are completed an Or
der VIII be issued closing the department on
the day Of the funeral. An order announc-
Ing the death to the army, with instructions
as to the proper observance of the day of
his funeral. will probably be issued.
Mrs. Belknap has decided that the General
shall be buried at Arlington Cemetery, and
the funeral will probably take place Thurs
daN.