The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-02-14
ADMIRAL PORTER DEAD.
NE PASSES AWAY PEACEFULLY
YESTERDAY.


D. Porter died suddenly at S.l5 o'clock
this morning at his residence, TIA II
streets. Death resulted from fatty
degeneration OF the heart, which
relentless disease asserted its fatal
clutch upon him at Newport, r. l.,
last summer, when, contrary to the
persistent advice OF his physician, he
violent exercise, and was stricken
down with a complication of diseases,
including congestion OF the lungs and
dfOpsy. AS soon as he could be moved
with safety he was brought to his
homo In Washington, and all means
known to science and medicine were
resorted to for his benefit. Despite
them. however, there were slight but
unmistnkable symptoms of approach
ing dissolution. Mental disturbances
were added to other troubles, AMI the
patient failed TO realize the serious
moss OF his condition. The family were
made aware weeks ago that his death
WINS only question of a short time,
and that the efforts of his physicians
were directed solely to a postpone
ment of the inevitable and to masking
his last hours as comfortable ana as
free from pain as possible.
Medical Director Philip s. Wales, OF
the Navy, has been his attending ply
siGinn for about Is years, and during
the last six months has been Mt his
bedside for two or three hours out OF
every "a. He said this morning that
Admiral Porter suffered from strangu-
lation OF the bowels ~ years ago, and
the palady had a weakening effect on
his system, but II was not until seven
years later that the disease which car
rled him of first manifested itself
The Admiralis condition has been such
for the past five years that he has been
unable TO transact much public busi-
ness. He was retained on the active
list of the navy, however, and given
the lightest and least responsible kind
OF duties. The Department authori-
ties have shown him, meanwhile,
syupulous honor and respect, and
treated all his official utterances with
due Difference.
His death this morning was calm
and peaceful. 1t came almost without
warning. When DIR. Wales left him at
II O'Clock last night his condition was
about the same as IL had been for sew
eral weeks past, and there we're no in
dieations that medical services would
be needed before the time for the doc
tors regular visit this morning about
o o'clock. The nature of the Admirafs
disease made il extremely dangerous
for 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. Nourlshmeut
was administered every hour, and the
Admiral was awake at G.45 o'clock this
prning and took his nourlshfuent as
NEual. lie afterwards fell into light
Slbep and gave no Indication whatever
that he end was so near at hand. At
8 O'Clock the Admiral's son. Richard,
who slept by his side, noticed that
there wns "a change In his fathers con
dition.
He was breathing with difficulty and
seemed to be choking. The nurse felt
his pulse and found 1t 10 he iuttellng
feeLly The household was at once
aroused and DR. Wales sent for. The
patients pulse grew fainter and
fainter and at S.15 o'clock ceased to
beat. AT that hour he gasped conYul-
siyely aud expired without a word. He
sat bolt upright with his son Richard
holding one hand and his daughter,
Mrs, H. &, Logan, the other. There
was also at his bedside his son, Theo-
doric Porter, u. 5. NJ, and his son-in-
law, Lieutenant l.. G. Logan, u. s. N,
his nurse, James Mcdonald, and his
faithful man servant, Wm. Wilkes.
His other sons, Captain G. 7. Porter,
u. s. NJ. g., and Major d. T.. Porter,
AoiHttly " INV army, anu ms young
est daughter Mrs. Charles Campbell,
arrived soon after and Joined the sor-
rowing group, who had gathered in
the chamber of the afflicted widow,
MIS-. Porter, who is herself an invalid,
and was prevented 10y her own feeble
health from attending her husband in
his last hours.
Dr.. Wales reached the house almost
Immediately after being notified. and
applied all the r@Storatives known to
science, but to no e1ect, and the doc
tor was compelled to admit that the
case was at lust beyond human skill.
DR. Wales said that DIR. DaCosta. of
philadelphia, examined Admiral Porter
about three weeks ago and fully en-
dorsed his treatment of the case.
Among the prominent physicians
consulted In the case were Drs. Mitch
ell, Hughes and Mcclellan, OF Philatlel-
phia; Dr. Godding, OF Washington, and
Surgeon Dallas Bates, of the army.
ASuIITARY FUNERAL.
The news spread rapidly, and was
known all over the country in a short
time. Word was at once sent to the
President and the Secretary of the
Navy, and tho flags on the white House
and on some other public buildings
were placed at half-lnast. Secretary
4AdOg DIOIlllllIy AlSlltu lllt lullllly ana
conferred with them in regard to the
funeral arrangements. 1t was settled
that the funeral should be marked
with the highest military honors, and
that the interment should be at the
Arlington National Cemetery.
Admiral Porter visited the cemetery
about year ago in company with
several members of his family and se-
lected u site for his grave at point a
little way northeast of tho Arlington
Mansion, corresponding exactly with
the grave OF General Sheridan on the
other side.
After selecting it he turned to the
attendant and said; Drive stake
there. That's where my body shall
EeSt."
HONORARY PALI-BEARERs.
The honorary pall.bearers: Vice
President Morton, General Schofleld,
Senators Henderson, Mcpherson and
Hawley, Representative Boutelle, Rear
Admirals Rogers, Almy, Howell, eros.
by and Stevens and Governor Pattison
OF Pennsylvania.
A Cough. Cold, or Sore Throat should
not be neglected. BROWNS BRONCHIAL
TRooHEs arc simple remedy, and give
prompt relief. 25 cts. box.