The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-14
SEEMED To BE CHOKING.


| lows.
SEEMED To BE CHOKING.
The Admiral was awake at Gas o'clock
this morning and took his nourishment as
usual. He afterward fell into a light sleep
and gave no indication whatever that his
end was so near at hand.
At s o'clock the AdmiraPs son, Richard,
who slept by his side, noticed a change in
his fathers condition. He was breathing
with difficulty and seemed 10 be choking
The household was at once aroused and
DR.. Wales sent for.
The patients pulse grew fainter and
fainter and at 8:15 o'clock ceased to beat.
At that hour he gaSped convulsively and ex-
pired without a word.
DR.. Wales reached the house almost i'm
mediately after being notified and applied
all the restoratiyes known to science, but to
no avail.
Admiral Porter was native Of Philadel-
phia, rs years Of age.
FLAGS AT HALF-MAST.
Word was at once sent to the President
and Secretary of the Navy, and the flags at
the White House and on ali other public
building were placed at half-mast.
Secretary Tracy promptly visited the
fnneral arrangements. 1t was settled that
the funeral should be marked with the high
est military honors and the iuterment
should be at the Arlington National Gene
terry.
large number of people In official life
called at the house this morning aud left
messages Of sympathy for the family.
Telegrams of coincidence were also re-
ceived from prominent people from all over
the country.
THE PRESIDENTS ACTION.
The President. when informed of Admi-
raj PprterS death sent message of sympathy
to the family. He subsequently, sent mes
sage TO Congress. notifying that body of the
death, and in the afternoon issued an Ex-
ecutive order closing the Executive depart
ments on the day Of the funeral and direct
ing that the flags on all the public buildings
be placed at half-mast on that occasion.
Following is President HarriSon's mes
sage to Congress announcing the death of
Admiral Porter
To the Senate and House Of Representatives.:
Admiral of The Navy David Dixon Porter died
al his residence in the city OF Washington this
morning at S:15 O'Clock, In the seyenty-eightil
year of his age. He entered the naval service as
| midshpnan February 2. 1929, and has been
made Admiral August 10, $40. He was the
! snn OF Commodore David Porter, one of the
! greatest OF our naval commanders. His service
during The civil war was conspicuously brilliant
aud successful, and his death ends a very high
and honorable career. His conntrymen will
sincerely mourn his loss, while they cherish with
grateful pride the memory OF his deeds. To the
officers OF Tie navy his lie viii continue TO yield
Inspiration and encouragement.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
ORDERS TO THE NAVY DEPARTMENT..
| The Secretary Of the Navy has issued an
| order announcing the death of Admiral
Porter and recitinI his distinguished serv-
| ices to the country. On the day of the
funeral the Navy Department will be closed,
the flag Will be displayed at half-mast at ali
the navy-yards and stations and on board
all the ships in commission, and seventeen
minute-guns will be fired at noon from
each nayy-yard. The Navy Department
| VIII be draped in black, and all the officers
OF the navy and marine corps will wear the
usual badge OF mourning thirty days.
| The funeral will take place Tuesday at Q
| O'Clock from his late residence, and he will
be buried at Arlington Cemetery with the
highest military honOrs.
Biographical.
| David d. Porter's first connection with the
| United States Navy dates back to 1924 when be
| accompanied his father, Commodore David Por-
| Ter, TO the West indies In the United States
| steamer John Adams. on board OF which and the
Seagull, then The ouly steam sea-going vessels of
| war, lie remained more than year and half Wit
Messing the suppression Of piracy in that quarter
and many Interesting incidents which occurred
| In those days.
In 1926 Commodore Porter was given com.
| mand OF ile Mexican Navy and sailed In April OF
that year In the.brig Guerrero OF twenty-five guns
for Vera Cruz. His son David ID. accompanied him
| and on arrival at Vera Cruz was appointed Md.
shipinan IN Tie same service aHd sent TO school
| IN the CITY OF Mexico 10 learn the Spanish lam
| guage. Among The vessels fitted out by Com
| mOdore Porter 10 prey upon Spanish commerce
was the captured schooner Esmeralda, under
| command OF Lieutenant David Ii. Porter, with
whom went midshipnan David ID. Porter.
ABOUT the middle OF March, 1928, David d.
Porter sailed as midshipman in the brig Guer.
rero, captain David ii. Porter from Vera Cruz
ana arrived oil The coast Of Cuba the latter part
| oil the month. ON the port Of Madrid large
convoy Oh spanish vessels was encountered, aud
the Guerrero was at once cleared for action
1he Spanish bflgs ran into port and re- enforced
| by TWO guns which defended the entrance
| opened sharp hre on the Mexican vessel IN
| twenty minutes the smaller Spanish brig struck
her colors, several OF the convoy were sunk aud
| few minutes would have decided the battle In
faver OF the Mexicans, when the frigate Leal.
| tad, OF sixty-four guns, hove In sight, and the
| Guerrero filled away TO The northward
All daylight next morning the Lealtad again
move In sight. aud the Guerrero cleared for
action. The battle between tho frigate and the
| brig continued for an hour aud forty minutes
and al Tie end OF that time the brig was wreck
and
| BIER CoLoRs WERE HAULED DOWN.
! The brig lost. In killed, wounded aud missing,