New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-14

ADMIRAL PORTER
postponement Of the inevitable and 10 making hiA
last hours as comfortable and free from pain as
possible. Medical Director Philip S. Wales, OF
the Navy. has been his attending physician for
about fifteen years. and during the last six
months has been at his bedside for two or
three hours out Of every t"enty-four
lie said tbs morning that Admiral Porter suffered
from srrangulation of the bowels twelve years
ago and the malady had weakening effect on his
system, but it was rot until seven years later
that the disease which carried MIN off first man
fesIed itself.
The Admirals condition has teen such for the
last five years thit he has been unable TO tran
sact much public business. lie was retained on
the active list Of the Navy, however, and bad
the liyhtest and least responsible kinds of duties
The Department authorities haze shown him.
meanwhile, scrupulous honor and respect and
treated all his official utterances with due defer.
His death this morning was calm and peace
full II came almost entirely without warning.
Dr. Wales left hin at / 1 o'clock last night The
nature of the Admiral's disease MADE il extremely
dangerous for hum to lie on his back so that
he was accustomed to rest sitting up
on a large sofa, with his back and head
supported by pillows. Nourishment was ad-
at As o'clock this morning and took his nourish-
nent as usual. He afterward fell into light
sleep and gave 10 indication whatever that the
end was 50 near at hand. At o'clock the Ad-
miras son Richard, who slept by his side. noticed
that there was a change in his fathers condition.
He vas breathing with difficulty and seemed TO
be choking The nurse felt his pulse and found
il 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:lj o'clock ceased 70 beat. lie gasped con-
vulSvely, and expired without word. lie sat
bolt upright with his son Richard holding one
hand and his daughter, Mrs l.. {. Logan, the
other There were also at his bedside his son,
Lieutenant Theodorc Porter, L. s. ", and his
son-in-law. Lieutenant l.. c. Logan, L. $. n. his
nurse James Mcdonald, and his faithful servant,
William Wilkes. His other sons, Captain G. T.
Porter. L. ). W. c., and Major ID. L. Porter,
formerly Of the Army, and his youngest daughter.
Mrs Charles Campbell. arrived soon after and
Joined the sorrowing group which had gathered
in the chamber OF the afflicted widow, Ms
Porter. who is herself an invalid and pre-.
vented 10y her own feeble health from attending
her husband in his last hours.
The news spread rapidly and was known all
over the country in a short time. Word was
at once sent 10 The President and the Secretary
Of the Navy and the flags the White House
and on all other public buildings were placed at
haf-mast. Secretary Tracy promptly visited tho
family and conferred with them IN regard 70
the funeral arrangements. 1t was settled that
the funeral should be marked with the hizIest
naval honors and that tie burial should be al
the Arlington National Cemetery on next Tuesday
at D. m Admiral Porter visited the cemetery
about year ago and selected a site for his grave
AZ a point IA litte way northeast OF the Arlington
Mansion, corresponding exactly with the grave
of General Sheridan the other side. Attcr
selecting il he turned 10 an attendant and said:
Drive a stake there That's where my BODY
shall rest.
4 pathetic incident, in view Of the critical
illness Of General Sherman, visit made by
him TO his old cOmrade-at-arnS about three weeks
ago. Admiral Porter happened TO be asleep at
the time. and General Sherman told the family
not 10 wake him. He left message Of sympathy,
and remarked u SAD tone Of J n0ics 60. bin =.
he always was when | have met HIM turning
10 Mrs Logan he said, half jc kingy, but WITH
tinge Of pathos VII he the nc heXT LON one t,h snh
a shrug OF his shoulders, he added: Anyhow, us
nothing TO die. it's just as natural as 1t Is 70
The President sent feeling message of sym
patby TO the family lie subsequently sent
message 20 Congress notifying thai BODY oil the
order CLOSING the Executive Departments on the
day of the funeral, and directing that the fiags
on all public buildings be placed az haif-mast
ON that OCCASION Secretary Tracy also issued an
order similar in its terms.
When the Presidents message announcing tne
death of Admiral Porter was aid before the SEN
ate Mr. Chandler arose and paid nigh tribute 10
his character and achievements. Among other
things he said .-,-
. Ills distinguishing traits Of character, I thinS'
were courage and persistency Faults he had,
doubtless but they did not abate In the leaSs
his bravery or his energy. Action, action, con-
st1nt rction was his motto. Patriotism was win
him a passon Courage and love Of country
We're indeed his birthright. With such father
as CAPTAIN David Porter. Of the famous Essex.
be could not be otherwise than an intense hight
inc American and the deeds Of these two famous
o,icers constitute marvellous chapter in our
naval annals. Their memories will always hold
= high place in the affection Of a grateful people.
whose valor they illustrated and whose Govern
ment they loved, honored and perilled their lives
Nr Hale-No difficulty ever appalled, Admiral
Porter. No consultation was ever lad. In which
Porter was engaged that the result Of il was not
10 frht His resources were amazing. his cou-
rage of the highest order. and. where he led, vic
tory followed Mr.. President, in token OF our
appreciation Of the character OF hln. who has
GONE and of the loss which the country has sus-
tanned. and in deep sympathy with those who aEs