Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-17
G E N. KELTON DEAD
The Governor of the Soldiers Home Passed
Quietly Away.
He Was the Friend OF the Enlisted Mar
While He Lived His Funeral Ser
vices Will be Unostentatious.

Gen. John c. Kelton, governor OF the SOL
diers' Home in this city, died at his residence
in the grounds about o'clock Saturday even
ing after an illness covering period Of about
two years. He passed away quietly, sur
rounded by the members Of his family and the
officers Of the home.
Gen. keiton was born in Delaware county
Pa, in June, 1928, and graduated in June, 1851.
His career in the army Is q most honorable one
and q prominent part in the principal events Of
the country before, during and since the war;
and brigsdier general March IS. 1865, "for
most valuable and srduous service in the field
and at headquarters." He wrote a number OF
treaties on military art and made many inn
proyements in small arms and cavalry equip
ments. He married at Dresden the daughter
Of Mr.. W. F. Campbell, United States consul,
and she and seven children survive him.
Gen. Kelton was one Of the best friends the
private soldiers ever had, and he engaged in
efforts for their betterment in the army up TO
the very day OF his death, although his oppor-
tunities for active work in that direction ceased
on his retirement from the active list in june
1892, while he was holding the Office Of adiu-
tant general of the army. He was appointed
governor Of the Soldiers Home in July Of last
year, and even during his brief term had ao-
complished many reforms for the benefit OF the
old soldiers. Funeral services will be held at
the Soldiers Home grounds this evening at
o'clock, and the interment will be in the family
lot in the national cemetery.
Simple Funeral Ceremonies.
The funeral OF Gen. Kelton will be marked
by perfect simplicity in all its features This
is in accordance with the written request Of the
deceased. embodied in . letter written some
time before his death. In this letter he gave
detailed instructions as to his burial. the main
nj hQn tn Ia thn 20 h.s
family as light as possible. He directed
especially that there should be no military
ceremonies, and that the use Of car
riages should be avoided. He desired to be
buried like an enlisted man. and specified that
his coffin should be the pine box generally used
in the case Of privates. He always had the well
fare and interest of the enlisted men at heart
while alive and he was proud and willing to be
laid ct rest like one of them. He selected the
national cemetery attached to the Soldiers
Home as his final resting place, explaining that
one OF his objects In so doing was that his fam
lily and friends would not require the use Of
carriages in following him to his grave.
Religious services will be held at the gov
ernor's residence in the Soldiers Home grounds
at O'Clock this evening instead OF tomorrow,
originally intended. They will be conducted
BY Rev. Drs. Buck and Mott OF the Rock Greek
Church. There will be no pallbearers: The
casket will be borne to the cemetery by six
non-commissioned officers Of the home. One
Of Gen. Kelton's objections TO having an ex-
pensive funeral WAS that he died poor man
and did not wish to embarrass his family with
debts incurred by himself in any way.
His Probable Successor.
The impression in army circles is that Gen.
d. s. Stanley. retired. will succeed Gen. Keltor
as governor OF the Soldiers Home. The selec
ton rested between those two when Gen. Kel
ton was appointed year ago. Gen. Stanley l.
known to have the favor Of the President, snd
was appointed q brigadier general by him dur
ing his last term. The only other names mem
toned in connection with the vacancy are Gen.
Wilcox, the former governor, and Gen. @. c.
Augur. who is now travelling in Europe. The
office is q most desirable one, and custom has
bestowed ii on retired officers. Ii 10 usually re-
garded as personal assignment Of the Presi-
dents, so that it Is not place for the appli ca
ton Of pressure or influence.