The record-union., 1891-02-14
Sudden Taking OF of a Famous
Hero of the Late War.
ADMIRAL DAVID D. PORTER NUM-
BERED WITH THE DEAD.
Heart Troubles the Cause of His De-
mise = Funeral Services VIII be
Held on Tuesday, and His Remains
VIII be Laid at Rest at Arlington
National Cemetery.
Special to the REcoRn-us1os.


WASHINGTON, Feb. l3-Admiral David
ID. Porter died this morning. His death
was very sudden. 1t occurred at his
residence here, and was the result of fatty
degeneration of the heart, with which he
has been affected since last summer. His
death was calm and peaceful. When Dir.
Wales left him at il o'clock last night his
condition was about the same as it had
been for several weeks past, and there
were no indications that medical services
would be needed before the doctors reg
uiar visit this morning. The nature of
the Admiral's disease made it dangerous
Tor him 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.
The Admiral was awake at 6:45 this
morning and took his nourishment as
usual. II a1terward fell into light sleep
and gave no indications whatever that
his end was so near at hand.
Ats o'clock the Admiral's son. Richard.
VINO slept by his side, noticed q change in
ms 1ather's condition. He was breathing
with difficulty and seemed to be choking
The household was at once aroused and
DIR. Wales sent for.
The patients pulse grew fainter and
1alnter, and at S:15 ceased to beat. At
that hour he gasped convulsiyely and
expired without word.
Dr. w aleS reached the house almost i'm
medlateiy after being notified, and ap-
Piled all the restoraiyes known 10 science.
but to no avail.
Word was at once sent to the President
and Secretary of the Navy. and the tiaos
at the White House and on all other pub
lie buildings were placed at half-masi.
a large number OF peoplein official life
called at the house this morning and left
messages of sympathy for the family.
Ieiegrains of coincidence We're also re-
ceiVed from prominent people all over
The President, when informed OF Ad-
m1ral Porter's death, sent a message of
sympathy to the family. He subse-
quently sent message to Congress. noti-
tying that body OF the death, and in the
afternoon issued an executive order clos
ing the executive department on the day
OF the funeral and directing that the flags
on all the public buildings be placed at
aalf-mast on that OCCASION
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.
The following is President Harrison's
message to Congress announcing the
death of Admiral Porter to the Senate
and House of Representatives
Admiral of the Navy David Dixon
Porter died at his residence in the City of
|in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He
entered the naval service as a midship-
man on February =, 1929, and has been
since continually in the service, having
been made Admiral ON August Is, 1876.
lie was the son of Commodore David
Porter, one of the greatest of our naval
commanders. His service during the
civil war was conspicuously brilliant and
successful and his death ends verv
high and honorable career. His country
men will sincerely mourn his loss. while
they cherish with grateful pride the MEM
ory OF his deeds. To the officers of the
navy his life viii continue to Weld in
spiration and encouragement.
"BENJANIN HARRISON"
NAVAL ORDERS.
The Secretary OF the Navy has issued
an order announcing the death of Ad-
miral Porter, and reciting his dis
tinguished services to the country. on
the day of the funeral the Navy Depart
ment Will be closed, the flag displayed at
halt-mast at all the navy yards and sta
tons and on board all ships in commits
sion, and seventeen minute guns viii be
fired at noon from each navy yard. The
Navy Department will be draped in
black, and all officers of the navy and
marine corps viii wear the badge of
mourning thirty days.
The funeral will take place on Tuesday
at 2 o'clock, from the late residence. and
he Will be buried at the Arlington Gene
terry, with the highest military honors.
David Dixon Porter was born in Chester
County, Pennsylvania, on June s, 1913. He
attended school ut Columbia College Wash
ington, d. c. He entered the navy rs Inidship-
man in 1929, and became lieutenant in 81
In the hrst Is years OF his service he is ac-
credited with ten years sea service in the Med
iterranean, and the remainder of the time
with duty in the coast survey and at the naval
observatory. He served in the Mexican war;
sntr mod IN
discovery of gold in California he obtained
leave from the Navy Department ana for
three years commanded u mail steamer be-
tween New York and the Isthn1us of Panama.
lie atterward returned TO the navy. and on the
breaking out of the civil war in SCI was or
dered to supersede post captain in command
of the steam frigate Powhatan, which was dis
patched to aid in the reinforcement OF Fort
Riekens. For the expedition against New Or
hcsSsis in 1862 Commander Porter organized
and commanded mortar flotilla; and in
1868 he was appointed acting rear admiral
and assigned to command the Mississippi
squadron, comprising in all l25 vessels with
more than l SOC officers. For his services in
reducing Nicksburg, he received a commission
as rear admiral, dated July 4, SOB. In the
spring of 1864 he co-operated with General
Banks in the unsuccessful Red River expedi-
ton. In October he was transferred from the
Mississippi To the North Atlantic blockading
squadron, and directed to attack the defenses
OF Wilmington. He appeared before Fort
Fisher ON December "a, with 35 regular
cruisers, 3 ironclads and reserve of i 9 YES
sells. The bomhardment continued through
the next day, and was resumed on January
Is, 1865, by an augmented naval force and
kept up until the evening of the 18th, when
the firing was stopped and the works were car
ried bya combined body of soldiers, sailors
and marines. Rear Admiral Porter was pro-
moted to vice admiral, July 25, 1866, and be-
came superintendent of the naval academy al
Annapolis; and on the death OF Farragut lie
succeeded him admiral, his commission
dating from August 1o, s90.-EDS.
THE SILVER RIIT