Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-25

i'll and probably dying at his home in Camden
was received with sincere regret in this city,
where the good gray poet" spent twelve years
Of his life and where there is quite coterie Of
his friends and admirers His condition last
evening WAS said by his physicians to be I'M
changed, although the report from his sick
room is to the effect that he grows steadily
weaker. He is suffering from bronchial pneu-
monia. As he is past seventy-tw years Of age
the physicians did not think he would be able
to withstand the ravages Of the disease. and
they have about given up hope of his recovery.
HIS FRIENDS AND RELATIVES NEAR.
His relatives and intimate friends are near
him and ready to be present at his bedside at
the last moment.
SOME INCIDENTS IN HIS LIFE.
Since 1873 Walt Whitman has made his home
in Camden, living quiet and rather secluded
life and devoting himself only to congenial and
occasional iabors. He was a native of Long
Island. having been born at West Hills March
81. 1919. Previous to coming to this city in
1852 his life had been q varied one. as he had
been engaged in number Of different occu-
pations
Early in the war his brother, colonel in the
army, was wounded and the good gray poet,
then an unknown man, came on to visit him.
For year Walt spent all his time in the mill
tary hospitals in this city, giving comfort to
the suffering soldiers. writing their letters for
them and reading aloud He roomed in the
attic OF a frame building that formerly occu-
pied portion OF the site upon which the Cor
coran building is now located. His life was AN
economical one, as il is said that his monthly
expenses were seldom over $50.
During the twelve years of his life in WASH
lngton his strong. well-knit figure was famil-
lar object around the streets clad as he ALWAYS
n of and NJ. 4
SLOUGH hat He developed marked fondness
for riding on street cars. He always rode OF
the froat platform, seeking the friendship of
the driver, and it is said thar there was scarcely
driver in the city with whom he was not on
terms Of considerable intimacy.
HIS WORK IN TIE DEPARTMENTS.
In the spring of 1868 he began to write letters
for the New York Times. He first obtained a
position in the Interior Department at s., 200,
and devoted bis leisure time to writing. Some
department ofhcia! took offense at some of
Whitmans writings and at once had him dis
missed
His friends rose to his defense and he was
transferred to the Department of Justice at an
increased salary. Later he was transferred to
the office OF the solicitor general Of the treas
ury. Whitman remained in office living in the
garrett all this time, until 1873, when the news
OF the death of his mother brought on a stroke
OF paralysis. He then went to live with his
brother at Camden, and there he has remained
ever since.
LEAVES OF GRASS.
"Leaves Of Grass" Whitman's chief literary
effort and the work on which rests his chief
claim to fame. is q collection of unconventional
but virile and picturesque poems. 1t is only
Of late years that the book has received any
thing like the consideration that the ablest
critics claim is its due At first it was received
with adverse criticism and continued to be a
subject Of depreciation until Emerson, followed
by other eminent writer's, both American and
foreign, pointed out its peculiar excellencies
Leaves OF Grass" has been republished several
times. Whitman has contributed occasionally
to newspapers and periodicals.
On bright and sunny days before the present
critical attack Of illness Walt Whitman used to
visit the Burleigh cemetery, where he has had
his tomb constructed.
DOES NOT FEAR DEATH.
Now that the days of his life are apparently
80 near an end the good gray poet says he does
not fear death. In the future state he believes
that the humblest beggar will share the same
joys with the worlds mightiest potentates and
to all there will be given more gladness than
the world can ever dream.