The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-07-12
DIED IN CHURCH.
Col. Blunt of the United States Engineers,
Expires from ApopIexy.

day morning. Col. Blunt was for years
resident of Portland, succeeding Gen.
Duane in charge of the first and second
lighthouse districts and the defences of
Portland harbor, March 1, 1870 and re-
siding here with his family until succeed
ed by Major Smith in 1886. Colonel
Blunt and family-which consisted of an
invalid wife and aughter-resided in
the house ON State street, now owned by
Hon. Joseph A. Locke. The circum-
stances of the death of Col. Blunt will be
read here with interest.
AS the organist was playing the last
notes of the music preceding the sermon
of the pastor medium-sized gentle
man, fine looking in appearance, with a
military bearing, entered the church
and was following an usher down the
centre aisle, when he was noticed by a
member of the congregation to stagger,
man arose from his seat to prevent him
from falling. AS he did so the stranger
tottered, threw his hands above his
head and fell. The usher had by this
time observed the strange actions of the
man and had hurried to his side. The
other man had also reached him. As
the stranger fell he was caught in the
arms of the usher, who with the aid of
the other gentleman, carried him to the
door.
They thought the man had only faint
ed and hoped the air would bring him
to. Several of the witnesses arose from
their seats and went to the door to see
if they could be of any assistance. They
found the man unconscious, foaming at
the mouth and apparently in dying
condition. He was lifted tenderly and
removed to the chapel where he was
placed on cushioned couch.
A bystander hurried to the Hotel
Brunswick and asked the clerk to tele-
phone for a physician. He did so. Fiji
teen minutes elapsed and DR.. Lovett
came. The man was dead when he got
there. In the meantime water, smelling
SdlUo etlltl OOllCl WILL NulCll COu-
seriousness could be restored had been
used. All efforts proved fruitless, and
the man never uttered a sound or opened
his eyes before he died. The physician,
when he reached the chapel, said that he
was not needed, and recommended that
the medical examiner be notified at
once. The suggestion was carried out,
and Undertaken Smith was also informed
that his attendance was desired. Both
arrived within half hour.
The unknwn gentleman's clothes were
carefully searched for some means of
identifying him. Nothing whatever
could be found that would inform those
who had cared for him who he was. The
only thing in his pocket. except his
purse, worthy of notice was a badge with
the letters Engineer Corps" ON it.
A messenger was sent to the principal
hotels to ascertain if a gentleman with
such military title was registered. None
was found to be. Some one suggested
that Lieut.. Col. Samuel Mansfield of the
Engineer Corps be sent for, thinking pos
sibly he might know the man. The sug-
gestion was acted upon. Col. Mansfield
came at once. Yes, he knew the man
was well acquainted with him, and said
he was stopping at the Vendome. This
information was gladly received.
Word was sent at once to the Vendome
Hotel, where his wife and daughter
were stopping. There were no intimate
friends of the family at the hotel and the
sad news had to be broken to the two
members of the family by an employe of
the hotel. 1t was done. The shock to
the wife was a terrible one and complete
ly Frustrated her. The daughter, a
young lady of about % years, is an inva-
lid, and the news to her, coming sudden
ly as it did, had an alarming effect on
her. Both mother and daughter, with
out relatives OF near friends, were strick-
en- down with grief. Their condition
was such that physician had to be
called in. He stayed there the greater
part of the afternoon, and made several
calls during the night. Although the
ladies are very i'll, no serious result is ex-
pected.
The only son, Capt S. E. Blunt of the
United States Army, and stationed at
the Springfield Arsenal, was notified at
| once, and he arrived in the city at 1920
| o'clock. He visited the undertaken
rooms and completed the identification
of his father. Arrangements were made
to have the body removed to New York
yesterday, where he resided. Col. Blunt
was 60 years old.
Col. Blunt and family arrived in Boston
June %, and were to stop about six
weeks.