The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-18
The End Came With Sud
denness at Last,
Following a Long Spell OF the
Gravest Illness.
Great Sorrow Widely Elk
pressed in Washington.
The Life and Deeds of the Dead
Officer.

WAsHINGToN, Feb. 13.-Admiral David
D. Porter died suddenly at S:l5 this morn
ing, at his residence, IVA HIST.
Death resulted from fatty degeneration
of the heart, which relentless disease az
serted its fatal clutch upon him at New
port, r. l., when, contrary to the persist
ent advice of his physician, he overtaxed
his strength by taking violent exercise
and was stricken down with cOmplica-
ton OF diseases, including congestion of
the lungs and dropsy. AS soon as he
could be removed with safety he was
brought to his home in Washington ard
ell means known to science and medicine
were resorted TO for his benefit. Despite
them, however, there were slight but un-
mistakable symptoms of approaching dis
solution. Mental disturbances were added
to other troubles and the patient failed to
realize the seriousness of his condition.
The admirsfs condition has been such
for the past five years that he has been
unable to transact much public business.
He was retained on the active list of the
navy, however, and given light and least
responsible kinds OF duties. The depart
ment authorities have shown him mean
while scrupulous honor and respect and
treated all his official utterances with due
difference. His death this morning was
calm and peaceful one. 1t came almost
entirely without warning. When Dr.
Wales LETT him at II O'Clock last night
his condition was about the same as it had
were noindications that medical services
would be needed before the time of the
doctors regular visit this morning about 8
o'clock.
The nature of the admirals disease made
it extremely dangerous for him to lie on
his back. so that he was accustomed to
sitting up on large sofa with his back
and head supported by pillows. Nourish-
ment was administered every hour, and
the admiral was awake at Gas this morn
ing and took his nourishment as usual.
He afterward fell into light sleep and
gave no indication whatever that the end
was so near at hand. At o'clock the adj
mlrals son Richard, who slept by his
side, noticed that there was change in
his fathers condition. He was breathing
with difficulty and seemed to be choking.
The nurse felt his pulse and found it to be
fiuttering feebly. The household was at
once aroused and DR.. Wales sent for.
The patients pulse grew fainter and
fainter, and at S:l5 o'clock ceased TO beat
At that hour he gasped convulsiyely. and
expired without d word. He sat bolt up-
right with his son Richard holding one
/ hand and his daughter, Mrs. c.. l.. Logan,
the other. There We're also at his bedside
his son, Lieut.. Theodore Porter, L. :.
navy, and his s0n-in-law, Lieut.. /. c.
Logan, L. 5 navy; his nurse, James Nc
Donald, and his faithful man servant.
William Wilkes. His other sons, Capt. c.
P. Porter, L. $. NJ. c., and Maj. D. L.
Porter, formerly of the army, and his
Youngest daughter, Mrs. Charles Camp
bell arrived soon alter and joined the sor-
rowing group which had gathered in
the chamber of the afflicted widow,
Mrs. Porter, who is herself an invalid
and was prevented by her own feeble
health from attending her husband in his
last hours. DR.. Wales reached the house
almost Immediately after being notified,
and applied ell the restoratives known to
science, but to no effect, and the doctor
was compelled to admit that the case was
beyond human skill.
1t il settled that the funeral should be
marked with the highest military honors,
and that the interment should be at the
Arlington National cemetery. Admiral
Porter visited the cemetery about q year
ago in company with several members of
his family and selected site for his grave
at point little way northeast of the
Arlington mansion, corresponding exactly
with the grave of Gen. Sheridan on the
other side After selecting it, he turned
10 atfanIart said. stnriva at
| there. That's where my body shall rest"
A large number OF people in official life
called at the house this morning and left
! messagesof sympathy for the family. Tele-
grams of coincidence were also received
from prominent people from all over the
| country.
A pathetic incident, in view OF the
critical illness of Gen. Sherman, was a
visit made by him 10 his old comrade-at-
arms about three weeks ago. Admiral
Porter happened to be asleep at the time
| and Gen. sherman told the family not to
wake him. He left a message OF sympathy
! and remarked in sad tone of voice: 81
! would rather not see Porterunless could
| see him as he always was when l have
met him" Turning to MIS-. Logan he
said, half jokingly, but with a tinge of
! pathos: 81 will be the next one and per-
J haps may go before Porter does" ANY
! how, it's nothing to die, as it's just as
| natural as it is to be born"
The following is President Harrison's
message to congress announcing the death
! of Admiral Porter. on the receipt of which
both houses adjourned:
| To the Senate and House of Representatives:
| The admiral of the navy, David Dixon Por-
! ter, died at his residence in the city OF Wash
! ington this morning ct S:l5 o'clock in the sev.
enty-eighth year of his age He entered the
naval service a midshipman Feb. 2, 1929,
and had been since continuously in service,
! having been made admiral Aug. 10, 1870 He
/ was the of Commodore David Porter, one
| OF the greatest of orr naval commanders. His
service during the civil war was conspicuously
| brilliant and successful and his death ends
! very high and honorable career His country
men will sincerely mourn his loss while they
cherish with grateful pride the memory of his
deeds. To officers of the navy his life will con-
tinue to yield inspiration and announcement.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
The secretary of the navy has issued an
order announcing the death of Admiral
Porter and reciting his distinguished sery-
| ices to the country. On the day of the
funeral the navy department will be
closed, the dag will be displayed at half
mast at all navy yards and stations and
! on board all ships in commission, and
seventeen minute guns will be fired at
! poon from oaeb navy ward The navy de-