The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-02-14

UNITED STATES NAVY.
WAsHrSoroN, D. c., Feb. 13.-Admiral
David D. Porter died suddenly at s:15
o'clock this morning at his residence,
17l4H street.
Death resulted from fatty degeneration
olthe heart which relentless disease as
serted its fatal clutch upon him at New.
port, r. l., last summer, when contrary
TO the persistent advice OF his physician
be oyertaxed his strength by taking vio-
lent exercise and was stricken down
with complication Of diseases, includ-
ing 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 medicine were resorted to
for his benefit. Despite them, however,
there were slight but unmistakable
symptoms Of approaching dissolution
Mental disturbances We're added to
other troubles, and the patient failed to
realize the seriousness OF his condition.
The family were made aware weeks ago
that his death wss only question Of a
sbcrt time, and that the efforts Of his
physicians were directed solely to post
ponement Of the inevitable and 10 max.
inc his last hours as comfortable and free
from main as possible. Medical Director
Phiiip Wales, Of the Navy, has been his
attending physician for about fifteen
wears, and during the last hiteen months
has been at his bedside for two or three
hours OF every day.
His death this morning was calm and
peaceful. 1t came almost entirely with
out warning. When DR.. Wales left him
at II last night his condition was about
the same as it had been for several weeks
past, and there was no indication that
medical services would be needed before
the time for the doctors regular visit this
morning.
The Admiral was awake at G:45 and
.ook bis nourishment as usual. He az
terSards fell into light sleep and gave
no Indication whatever that the end
AIS O'clock the Admiraps son Rich.
ard, who plept by his side. noticed that
there wss a Change In his fathers condi-
ton. He was breathing with dithculty,
and seemed to be choking. The muse
ielt his pulse and found II to be hAstes.
ing feebiy. The household was az once r.
aroused and DR.. Wales sent for: me
patients pulse grew fainter and iainter
and at 8 S:l5 ceased to beat.
At that hour he gssped convulsiVsiv',
and expired without word. He sat bolt
nDriSht with his son Richard holding
one hand and his daughter, Mrs. Ia, Y.
Logan, the other.
Dr.. Wales reached the house almost
Immediately after being notified and ap'
piled restoratives, but TO no etect, ana
the Doctor was compelled to admit that
the case was at last beyond human .klli'
Word was at once sent TO the tfesi'
dent and Secretary Of the Navy, and tne
flSvs ~ the White House and all other
nnSI;c -sre placed at halt.mast. Secre'
tary Trscy tromptly visited the family |.
and conisrrsd with them in regard e
the funeral arra. ,gel1ents. u was eet,
lied that the innera, should be marked
with tho highest military honoEs Eno
that the interment, Bhou.' d DO ~ St the al AT
lington National Cemetery. me ftes., ,'
dent was informed Of Admiral Portef
death by an orderly, and sent leeItlns ~
message to Congress, notifying IhSS
body OF the death, and in the Afternoon
issued an Executive order closing tue
Executive departments on the day oi
the funeral and directing that the tlags
on all public buildings be placed ut
haii.mast on that occasion.
President Harrison sent the following
message to Congress, announcing the
death Of Admiral Porter:
Tathe Senate, aRd HoGSc Of Representatives.;
The Admiral OF the Navy, David
Dixon Porter, died at his residence in
the City Of Washington this morning a.
S:l5 o'clock in the 18th year OF his age
He entered the Naval service as mid
bhipman February l, 1929, and had been
since continuously In service, having
been made Admiral August 10, 1870
He was the son OF Commodore David
Porter, one .oI the greatest Of our Nava'
commanders. His service during the
civil war was sconspicuously 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 th'
neinory Of his deeds. To officers Of the
Eayyhis life will continue to yield In
SEPARATION and encouragement.
BESJAMlN HARRISON.
The Secretary Of the Navy has iesuet
an order announcing the death o
Admiral Porter with its proper obssrv
ance, and reciHng his distinguished ser
vice to the country. :,
The funeral OF Admiral Porter vii
take place Tuesday at 2 p. m. from hi
late residence, and he will be buried q
Arlington cemetery With the highes
military honorH. 80
Vice President Morton, General scho
tleid. Senators Henderson, McPhersoI
and HsNley, Representative Bautell,e
Rear Admfral Rogers, Ally, Howell
Crosby and etsyers and Governor Patti
son, Of Pennsylvania.
Shntoh of Admiral Porter,