Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-01
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS DEAD

Civn service Relormer Passes Away
Feacefully.
New YORK, August 3l.-George Will
fam Curtis died this morning q few min
utes after O'clock q, his home in Liy-
fncston, = l. he was conscious 20 the
last aud suffered no pain. DR.. Frank
&. Curtis, bis son, was in attendance,
and Mrs. and Miss Curtis were present.
Mr.. Curtis became M about two
months ago, when be began 10 complain
OF Mains ia the abdomen. DIR. Janeway
was called, and he, In consultation with
Dr.. McBuruie, of this city; Dr. WGlSer,
OF Staten Island, and Or. Curtis made a
careful examination. There hU4 been
some talk OF cancer OF the stomach.
These physicians announced that il was
impossible 90 learn the exact nature OF
the trouble until 10 made further pro-
greSs or the swelling below the abdo-
men, which had developed, subsidized.
They were Of opinion, however, that
there was tendency "a dropSy, with
other complications not then determin-
able. At that time Mr. Curtis suffered
a good deal of pain and spent much
time I'm walking up aud down his room.
He was told that opium would give him
relief, but be declined 10 70 take the
drug.
AT the request OF Mrs. Curtis tt was
decided early last week 20 adopt hOmeO-
pathic treatment, and Or. Reisig was
called. From that time Mr.. Curtis SUI
fered little or no pain, and during the
last DAYS he seemed comfortable. The
swelling did not diminish, but his fami-
" were hopeful. being much encouraged
by the cessation of pain. His cOndl-
tiOn was not thought 90 be by any means
critical But three days ago Mr.. Curtis
began 20 sink rapidly. The pain did
not recur, however, aud until the end
ne seemed able 90 recognize those az his
bedside. The funeral services will be
held on Friday morning, 40 the Curtis
residence, aud viii be private.
George William Curtis was born at
Providence, Il. J., February "a 1924
After leaving school, he was, for year,
clerk ln a mercantile house In New
York, and I'm 1912 went, together with
an elder brother, 90 the EcOGk Farm So
cialistic Institution 40 kOXburg. Mass,
where they remained about eighteen
months, when they removed 20 q farm
in Concord. and remained there for an
other eighteen months. Tn 1916 he went
Rome and Paris, subsequently visiting
Syria and Egypt. Returning 20 Amer
lea in 1850. be publisher ''NIle Notes
o. q Howadii." being sketches OF his
observations in Egypt This was fol-
lowed ia 1852 Cy the "Howadu
In SYRIA" I'm the meantime be had
connected himself with the New York
Tribune and had become one of the edi-
- ~
of this magazine, 10 the ownership OF
which he was special partner, in 1857,
involved Nr. Curtis iu financial difficult
ties from which De was Is years in clear
ing himself. He .ectureI ON social and
aethetic topics, throughout the country
aud became "a regular contributor 20
H0p0's lfu4o-Be. TO which, besides
many occasional articles, be has, since
1855 furnished a monthly pager under
the general title of the Editors Easy
Chair
in 1857 HuBu's Weekly an
illustrated journal, was estao-
hshed, AMI Mr.. Curtis soon
became it's principal editor. When the
Civil War broke ont this journal took a
decided political tone and became an In
fueut.al organ Of the Republican party.
i'm f.- he was elected a delegate 20 the
conveu .oa for revising the constitution
for the State of New York, and ia :he
same year was appointed one OF the re-
gents for the University Of that State
body which has Jle general SuperylS-
ion OF tht higher grades OF institutions
for public Instruction. Ia the canvass OF
1865 lewas mode q Presidential elector
ON the Republican ticket aud warmly
supported the election OK President
Grant, who in 1871 appointed him
member of the commission 10 frame
rules for the regulation OF the Civil
Service. He. however, opposed the
coud.Juture OF President Grant for
Third term, both I'M 1876 and ga 1850, and
was prominent leader of
that wing of the Republican party
which Secured the nomination OF Mr..
Hayes aud SIR. Garfield. Mr.. Hayes
offered him tine missions to England aud
Germany, which Le declined.
During the recent agitation for re-
form of che Civil Service, Mr.. Curtis
vigorously supported the movement,
and has been President OK the National
Reform League since .ts organization.
In 1Ss+ be- opposed the nomination OF
Mr. Blaine as the Republican candidate
for tine Presidency, and was supporter
Of the Democratic nominee, Mr.. Cleve-
land. In 1890 he was elected Chancellor
of tae UuivevSitVOi New York. Besides
she Huwadjj volumes OF travel he has
published the following works, all made
uD of previous contributions 20 various
periodicals: "IOtUS Eating a series
of newspaper letters from various
watering places, 1852; ''The POtipher
Papers. 1858; "Prue ard Us 1886; and
"Trumps," 1852, besides o number Of
addresses and Orat.OuS.