The Wahpeton times., 1891-02-19
HIS LAST VOYAGE,
Admiral David D. Porter Sails in the
Shadowy Ship for the Eternal
Shore.
His Death Was a Calm and Peaceful
One and Almost Without
Warning.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 14.-Admiral David
D. Porter died suddenly at his residence
here to-day.
Death resulted from fatty degeneration of
the heart which relentless disease asserted
its fatal clutch upon him at Newport, r. l..
last summer, when contrary to the persist
ent advice Of his physician he overtaxed his
strength by taking violent exercise, and was
stricken down with complication of dis
eases, including congestion OF the lungs and
dropsy.
As soon as he could be moved with safety
he was brought to his home in Washington,
and all means known to science and med
icine were resorted to for his benefit De-
spite them, however, there were slight but
unmistakable symptoms of approaching
dissolution.
His death this morning WIS calm and
peaceful. 1t came almost entirely without
warning. The admiral's disease made it
extremely dangerous for him to lie on his
back SO that he was accustomed to rest sit
ting upon large sofa with his back and
head supported by pillows. Nourishment
was administered every hour. and he ad-
miral was awake at 6:'J this morning and
took his nourishmcnt us usual. He after
indication whatever that
THE END WAS SO NEAR AT HAND.
AT s o'clock the admirals 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 1t to be tuttering feebly. The house
hold was at once aroused and DIR. Wales
sent for. The patients pulse grew fainter
ond fainter, and at s:15 o'clock ceased to
beat. At that hour he gasped convulsivcly
and expired without word. He sat bolt
upright, with his son Richard holding one
hand and his daughter, Mrs. L. c. Logan,
the other.
Word was at once sent to the president
and the secretary Of the navy, and the flags
on the White House and on all other public
buildings were placed at half-mast.
Secretary Tracy promptly visited the
family and conferred with them in regard
to the funeral arrangements. 1t was settled
that the funeral should be marked Will, the
highest military honors. and that the inter-
ment should be at the Arlington national
cemetery.
The president was informed of Admiral
porters death by an orderly. and sent a
feeling message of sympathy to the family.
He subsequently sent message to congress
notifying that body of the death, and in the
afternoon issued all executive order closing
the executive departments on the day Of
the funeral, and directing that the flags ON
all public buildings be placed at halt-mast
on that occasion.
The funeral will take place Wednesday
from his late residence, and he will be
buried at Arlington cemetery with the
highest military honors.
The presidents message announcing the
death of Admiral Porter was laid Lefore the
senate to-day and eulogistic addresses were
delivered by Messrs. Chandler. Mcpherson,
Plumb and Hale and then the senate ad-
journed. The house also adjourned upon
the receipt OF the message.
David Dixon Porter was born at Chester. Del
aware county, Pa. June 8, 1873. studied in
Columbia j! college, Washington, in 1924; accom-
the John Adams to suppress piracy in the West
Indies: was appointed midshipman in the Mex
lean navy and served under his cousin. Capt.
from Vera Cruz i'll 1927. Porter was appointed
midshipman in the United States navy III 1929
and lieutenantin in 14sl. In ls45 he was appointed
to the naval observatory at Washington. He
served during the Mexican war and was engaged
In every action on the coast. He then went to
California and commanded California mail
steamers between San Francisco and Panama.
At the BEGINNING OF the civil war he COM
manded the steam frgate Powhatan ut Pensa-
cola. On April 23, 1861, he appointed
commander and was placed i'll command of the
mortar fleet, assisting Farragut in the lombard
nlent OF Forts Jackson and St. Phillip below
New Orleans, also at New Orleans and Vicks-
tember. 1862, and rear admiral in 1868. In
command OF the Atlantic squadron in 1864 be
took part in the bomburdnleNt of Fort Fisher
at the mouth OF Cape Fear river. Porter re-
ceived the thanks of congress for this service
He was made vice admiral in 1865, and on Aug.
Is, 1870, was promoted to the rank of admiral
which Go hos hold <;a
uously ever since.
Admiral Porter was the author OF several
books and was the originator OF a peculiar type
been built.