New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-01
COTONET, WILLIAM RI PAINE.

Cleveland, Dec. 31.-Tle welLknown mechanical and
cons tructing engineer Colonel W. ii. Paine, of New
York City, who had Just completed cable road here,
died this morning from the effects OF cold which set
tied on his lungs He had been sick only two days.
lie leaves a wife and daughter who were with him at
ne time Of his death
Colonel william II. Paine was born at Chester, New
Hampshire, on May L. 1928. After completing his
acadenical education, he became land surveyor In
Northern Wisconsin, then almost uninhbted region.
In 1859 lie was connected with the methods OF
mining engineering by which the gold yield Of the
Pacific Coast and Rocky Mountain region was greatly
increased In 1853 he made survey across the
Nevada Mountains from Sacramento to Utah. to learn
the length Of what Is known as the Johnston route
BY the time tho began 10 had returned to Wis
consin and he took an active part in raising several
regiments among which was the 4th Wisconsin, which
he accompanied to Washington just before the battle OF
Bull Run. Although several important commands
were offered to him. he invariably declined them, on
the around that while in active military service the
honor, and compensation would be greater than in the
engineering department. his training would enable him
to give the valuable service in the latter branch
II the Army.
lie did much in the way Of gathering information
during the war which President Lincoln sorely
needed one great achievement being the securing the
length to an inch Of all the bridges between Wash.
;ugton and Richmond. These bridges Ind Dcon
destroyed and ii was absolutely necessary that they
lac restored before movements OF Importance could be
begun Mir Paine was appointed captain Of en-
rnccrs on the staff Of General Mcdowell From tina;
time I'LL tho close Of the War he served with great
usefulness and honor in the Army Of The Potomac, ana
his record would make an interesting volume.
Ills ACQUAINTANCE with chemistry, oogy, botany
and kindred subjects, well a. mathematics ana gen
erul literature was wide and thorough but his prin
cipaI strength during the lay In Typographical
surveys and mapping, some OF the best maps III the
nan4p M bpiu lies
him great element in his military success was MS
confidence In and Of the colored people. Colonel
Paine cnoycd Intimate relations with General Grant,
General Humphreys, and Elihu b. Washburne. Mter
he war he furnished many OF the maps and much OF
the Information in the most prominent histories o!
the Rebellion that were published.
lie was employed on tho brooklyn Bridge from It's
beginning until about three years ago, and did notable
work in hi, capacity OF engineer in tie carly planning
ca the stlucur'. He planned the y stem oi n y ttc
lion which carries tic cars aero the hTHre au uu
much other valuable work In arranging ue'tIi oi ulo
great undertaking. , I'LL, , g..
tbs civ and later bnilt the hundred and twenty
ufh.t cable line since he left tins Bridge service ne
Ia, been engaged consulting engineer o. caOlc uaI'
In Denver, Omaha and Kansas CITY lie was PROBABLY
Ills friends ne enjoyed the reputation Oi a gcl4aI
hristiau gentleman. lie was always active IN Church
and sunday school work. and even when actively en-
LACED q, his artuous and responsible duties upon III"
CONSERVATION Of the Bridge he did not fai .On sunday
Ia do his duty as superintendent OK boys SUNDAY
school IN the Reformed Church at Greenpolnt lie wa
tho soul of honor During H. career Ot anlost sixteen
wears on the Bridge Of his associates ever knew Oh
III dnlng an ungenerOus unkDd deed, and n
VS. cndcrd 10 all Of them by his simple gentle and
manly habits.