Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-02-19
ADMIRA1 poRrER DEAD.
The Naval Hero Passes Away Unexpect-
eddy This Morning.

tht NHFhl nero EttNSeS away bHtAHtth7
eddy This Morning.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-Admiral
David d. Porter died suddenly this
morning at his residence, in this city.
At s o'clock this morning the adj
miral's son, Richard, who slept by his
side, noticed that his father was breath
ing with difficulty and seemed TO be
choking. The nurse felt his pulse and
found it to be fiuttering feebly. The
household was at once aroused and DIR.
Wales at once sent for. The patients
pulse grew fainter and fainter and al
| S.15 o'clock ceased to beat At that
hour he gasped convulsiyely and ex-
pired without a word.
Death resulted from fatty degenera-
ton of the heart which relentless disease
laid its fatal touch upon him at Newport
Il. l., last summer when contrary to the
persistent advice of his physician, he
overtaXed his strength by taking violent
exercise, and was stricken down with q
complication of diseases including con
gestion of the lungs and dropsy. The
family were made aware weeks ago that
his death was only question of short
time, His death this morning was calm
and peaceful 1t came almost entirely
without warning.
When Dr. Wales left him at Ii
O'Clock last night his condition was
about the same as il had been for several
weeks past and there were no indica-
tions that medical services would be
needed before the time for the doctors
regular visit this morning about 9
o'clock.
Word was at once sent to the Presi-
dent and the Secretary of the Navy and
the flags on the White House and on
some other public buildings were placed
at half mast Secretary Tracy promptly
visited the family and conferred with
them in regard to the funeral arrange
ments. 1t was settled that the funeral
military honors and that the interment
should beat the Arlington National Gene
terry.
Admiral Porter visited the cemetery
about a year ago in company with seve-
raj members of his family and selecteda
site for his grave at a point a little ways
northeast of the Arlington mansion
corresponding exactly with the grave of
Gen. Sheridan on the other side.
After selecting he turned to an attend
ant and said: "Drive stake there.
That's where my body shall rest"
A pathetic incident in view of the
critical Illness of Gen. Sherman was a
visit made by him to his old comrade at
arms about three weeks ago.
Admiral Porter happened to be asleep
at the time and General Sherman told
the family not TO wake him. He left a
message of sympathy and remarked in a
sad tone of voice: ~ would rather not
see Porter unless | could see him as he
always was when have met him"
Turning to Mrs. Logan he said half
jokingly, but with a tlnge of pathos: Il
will be the next one, and perhaps |
may go before Potter does" Then
with shrug Of his shoulders he added:
"Anyhow. it's nothing to die, as it )
Just as natural as ii is to be born"
Admiral Porter was the son of Com
mander David Porter of the Continental
navy, was born in Chester, Delaware
county, Pa, June Sth, 1913, and was,
therefore, 70 years of age. Five genera
tons of his family have served in the
navy. He studied in Columbian Col
lege, in this city, and, in 1924, he accom-
panied his father in the John Adams
to suppress piracy in the West
Indies; was appointed midshipman
in the Mexican navy and served under
his cousin, Captain David II. Porter, in
the "Guerrero.n February I'd, 1929, he
entered the United States navy as mid
shipman, and after cruise in the Medi-
terranean served on the coast survey
until he was promoted to lieutenant, in
February, 1841. He served during the
entire Mexican war, first as lieutenant and
afterward as commanding officer of the
Spitfre. AT the beginning of the civil
war he was ordered to command the
steam frigate Powhattan which was
sent to join the gulf blockading squad
ron at Pensacola and TO aid in reenforc-
ing Fort Pickens. In 1861 he was
placed in command of the mortar fleet,
consisting of 81 sehooners and with
five steamers as conveys joined
Farragut's fleet which he assisted
in all the operations between New
Orleans and Nicksburg. For his
services at Yicksburg Porter
received the thanks of Congress and the
commission Of rear admiral dated July
4th, 1863. Soon afterward he ran past
the batteries of Vicksburg and captured
the Confederate forts at Grant Gulf
which put him into communication
with Gen. Grant. By their combined
efforts the stronghold of Vicksburg was
captured. Later, with the assistance of
land forces he captured Fort Fisher
for which he again received a
vote of thanks from Congress, which
was the fourth that he received during
the war, including the general one for
the capture of New Orleans. In 1866
he was promoted vice admiral and in
1870 he was appointed admiral of the
navy, which position he held at the
time Of his death. He was the author
of number of works, the principal one
of which was HIhe History of the Navy
in the War of the Rebellion"