The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-02-19

DAVID y. PORTER. family were at
home at the time of his death. Word
was at once sent to the President
and the Secretary of the Navy and
the flags on the White House anl on all
other public buildings were placed at
half-mast. Secretary Tracy at once vis-
tied the family and conferred with them
in regard to the funeral arrangements.
It was settled that the funeral
should be marked with the highest
military honors and that the inter-
ment should be at the Arlington Ma
tional Cemetery. The President was
informed of Admiral Porter's death by
an orderly. and sent a feeling message
of sympathy to the family. lie suhse-
quently sent message to Congress
notifying that body Of the death.
The funeral will take place Tuesday
at 2p. IN. The Navy Department will
be closed, the flag will be displayed 1T
half-mast at all navy yards and stations
and on board all ships in commission,
and seventeen minute guns will DO
fired at noon from each navy yard. The
department will be draped in black and
all officers of the navy and marine
corps will wear the badge of mournin.
for thirty days.
The honorary pall-bearers will be:
Vice-President Morton. General Scho-
field. Senators Henderson. Mcpherson
and Ilawley. Representative Boutelle,
Rear Admirals Rogers. Almy, Howells,
Crosby and Stevens, and Governor Pat
tison, of Pennsylvania.
Tha nf hos
been SO long expected that it caused
little excitement. The Admiral has for
several months been practically dead to
the world. He has not left his room
since he entered it in October, on his
return from his summer home at New
port. His death finally came from the
result of combination of causes. not
the least of which was his advanced age.
The Admiral's death will result in no
naval changes. Though nominally on
the "active list" he has been in prac-
teal retirement for a great many years.
In fact. he could not be retired except
at bis own request and that re-
quest the vanity and ambition which
have ever been the Adnrars strongest
characteristics would never permit him
to make. He long ago determined to
die at the head of the navy in name il
he were not SO in fact. BY his death
the rank of Admiral ceases to exist.
The ranking officer Of the navy now
will be Rear Admiral Kimberly. who
was executive officer of Farragut's
flagship at Mobile bay. and who two
years ago lost his own flagship. tho
Trenton. at Samoa.
Admiral Porter leaves several child.
rem. One son is Lieutenant in tn,
navy, another is a Captain in the marine
corps. and David Essex. the eldest
son, was formerly an officer in the
army There are also one or two
daughters One of them recently mar
ried Captain Campbell, of the army.
During the war Admiral Porter received
more than SlDO.0OO in prize money and
since 1870 he has received Si3 900 |; year
as Admiral. lie therefore leaves very
comfortable estate.
David Dixon Porter as born in Chester. Del,
June 8. 1913, and after studying in Columbian
college, Washington, accompanied Iii, tat or
IN the John Ada.as 10 suapress pir..cy in t4s
West Indies. Subsequently he servel
In the Mexican navy and in ls-0
entered the Unltei States navy
midshipman. His promotion was rapid until
lie became commander When the civil war
broke out h had ei,arge Of the steam frigaio
poWhataa. which was aisi atched % join tl.e
gulf bockading squadron at Pensacola.
Then, in 1851, he placed in
command Of the norsar fleet which
| assisted Admiral Farragut III ha.lhardinr Forts
Jackson and ST. rhi.ip below New Dreams.
He also assisted in th3 operations ut Eiess.
burg. Though the navy did not take
soicuous part in the capture of that city.
+ lii 1869 he acted a rear admiral OF the Missis-
sippi squadron, AMI il January Of the follow.
| ing year helped General Sherman TO capture
| Arkansas Post. In 1854 he hid command of
| the fleet that bo,nbarded Fort Fisaer. aud il
/ 1855 took part in the capture OF the same fort.
/ In the course of Iii. war Porter was four tines
1 voted the thanks of Co'.gtess. Ait the re-
| bellon he was made Vice.Aimiral and served
! a. superint anaeat of the naval academy until
/ 1862 being then detailed for duty in the Navy
Department at Washington. He was appointed
/ Admiral OF the navy in 1871.