The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1892-09-08

Mrs. Curtis and his only living daugh-
ter, Elizabeth, were in the house at the
time, but DR.. Curtis did not summon
them to the side of the dying man. He
said he believed his father knew that
he was about to die.
His AiIment.
Mr.. Curtis became i'll about two
months ago, when he began to COM
plain of pains in the abdomen. DIR.
Janeway was called and he, in con-
sultation with DIR. McBurney, of
this city; DR.. Walker, of Staten
Island, and Dr. Curtis, made
careful examination. There had
been some talk of cancer of
the stomach. These physicians an
nounced that it was impossible to learn
the exact nature of the trouble until it
made further progress or the swelling
below the abdomen which had devel-
oped, subsidized. They were of opinion,
however, that there was a tendency
to dropsy with other complications not
then determinable. At that time Mr..
Curtis suffered great deal of pain,
and spent much time in walking up
and down his room. He was told that
opium would give him relief, but he de-
clined to take the drug.
a. Could Not BE Cured.
At the request of Mrs. Curtis it was
decided early last week TO adopt
homeopathic treatment and DR.. Reisig
was called. From that time Mrg Cur
tbs suffered little or no pain, and dur
ing the last days he seemed perfectly
comfortable. The swelling did not
diminish, but his family were
hopeful, being much encouraged by
the cessation of the pain. His condition
was not thought to be by any means
critical, but three days ago he began to
sink rapidly. The pain did not recur,
however, and until the end he seemed
able to recognize those at his bedside.
The funeral services will be held on
Friday morning at the Curtis residence
and they will be private.
Sketch of His Career. -.'
George William Curtis was born at ProVf-
dence, K. L, February "a, 1924. He received his
education at q private school at Jamaica Plain,
Mass, and at the age of Is removed with his
father from Providence TO New York. where
for year he was a clerk in mercan-
tile house. In 1912 he went with
his elder brother to reside al
Brook Farm in West Roxbury, Mass,
where he passed year and half in study and
agricultural labor after which he went TO Con-
cord. Mass, and with his brother spent eighteen
months there, living with farmer, and both
taking part regularly in the ordinary work OF
| the farm, and afterward for six months tillinR
a small piece of land on their own account In
| 1876 Mr. Curtis went 10 Europe, and, after q
prolonged stay In Italy and Berlin, Travelled
| in Egypt and Syria. In 1850 he re
| turned to the United States, and published
his book; mile Notes Of HowadiL" He soou
| after Joined the editorial STAFF OF the New York
| Tribune, and in the summer Of 1851 wrote 9
series of letters to that journal from various
| watering places which were afterward collected
| in q volume under the title: '"Lotus Eating. "
| His second book, however, was on "Howadji
| in SYRIA" published in 1882. In the autumn
| of 1852 Putnam's Monthly was commenced in
| New York, OF which Mr.. Curtis was one OF
| the original editors, and with which he contin-
| ued connected till the magazine ceased to exist.
| In the meantime il had passed into the hands
| OF the firm Of Dix, Edwards & Co, in which Mr..
Curtis was q special partner, pecuniarily re-
sponsible, but taking no part in its commercial
management In the spring OF 1857 the house
/ was found to be insolvent for . large
i amount, and Mr.. Curtis sank his private
/ fortune in the endeayor TO save its creditors
/ from loss, which he finally accomplished In 1879
/ Other books Of Mr.. Curtis. besides those
/ already mentioned, are ''The Potiphar Papers,
| and "Prue and l." He was connected with
| Harper's Monthly from 1853 until his death.
and was chief editor Of Harper's Week
i ly, for which he began TO write in 1887.
/ In these publications he has printed some OF
/ the most charming essays ia the Eng
/ lish language Mr.. Curtis took en- active In
tereat In politics, and was delegate TO several
OF the national conventions Of the republican
party. He left tho party in 1884 on account of
/ the nomination Of Mr. Blaine, and was AZ one
time the recognized leader Of the mugwumps.
/ He was president Of the civil service reform
league and an eloquent advocate Of the reform
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