Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-13
DIR. NORVIN GREEN DEAD.
He Was the Head of the Western Union
Telegraph Company.


Norvin Green, president of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, died at his home
at Louisville at 7:3o o'clock yesterday morn
ing. His death was caused by bowel COM
plant, from which he had been an acute
sufferer for one week. DIR. Green, as was
known by the people of Louisville, his home.
had not been well for several years. Six weeks
ago he sought rest in the seclusion of his Louis
vile home. One week ago yesterday he was
taken suddenly i'll and failed steadily. He
leaves a widow and six children. The funeral
will take place Thursday. Vice President John
Van Horn, General Manager T. L. Eckert and
the board of directors of the telegraph COM
pany. thirty in number. will be present The
interment will be in the family lot in Oak
Hill
DR. GREEN'S CAREER.
DR.. Green was born at New Albany. Ind in
1918, and was taken to Kentucky when mere
infant by his family. Having passed through
the medical course of the University of Louis
vile he was appointed physician to the Western
Military Academy, Drennon Springs. n.y.. in
which the late James q. Blaine was one of the
Junior teachers. The friendship formed By
these two WIS warm and sincere and ended only
in death. Among other occupations DIR. Green
established floating grocery store on fiat
boat, III which he travelled up and down the
Mississippi river to very good profit He was
elected to the Kentucky legislature at various
times. and in 1853 was appointed United States
commissioner during the erection of the
national buildings in Louisville. He then
Joined some other gentlemen in the lease of the
United Morse and Peoples Telegraph line,
which was absorbed in 1886 by the Western
Union.
He occupied the position of vice president
of the Western Union until the death of Pres
ident Orten, when he succeeded to the higher
office. which he filled with satisfaction until
his death.
There was probably no one who knew so
much Of thee history of the telegraph and the
submarine cable DIR. Green. His reminis-
cences would make q most interesting record
of tine progress of electricity in the transmits
sion of communications. He had a system Of
going on at every point reached by the lines.
The Western Union has 800, 900 miles of wire,
and it was a favorite remark of DR.. Green that
they could make a quadruple line to the moon.
WORTH ABOUT $4,000, 0O0
DR.. Green used to say that il was absolutely
impossible to duplicate the Western Union
system. DR.. Green's wealth was in the
neighborhood of $4,000. 600, which is largely
represented in Western Union stock He had
some valuable real estate. He was an inveterate
smoker and very fond Of club life. He was enc
of the best story tellers in New York.
DIR. Green was a member Of the Union Club
of New York.
While he WAS never foolish in his habits of
eating or drinking, he was not an example to
which the total abstainer could point with pride.
Habitues Of the Aston House set their watches
at O'Clock every afternoon by the entrance of
DIR. Green into the rotunda. He was never a
minute late or a minute early. He would in
variably walk up to the bar and stand without
a word. Then the attendant who had waited
upon him for years would place two Jumps of
sugar in lumber, little water. . spoon and
decanter of whisky.
These preparations made, DR.. Green would
mix his own teddy with the utmost gravity.
Then, after slipping it. he would walk to the
Broadway entrance of the hotel, and out in one
of the shabbiest backs in New York Thedriver
of the vehicle was weather-beaten old fellow
with purple nose, wearing afaded blue coat
and hat showing the traces of years of stormy
and windy weather.
Dr. Green bad his own stylish equipases, but
he preferred this. With the exception Of Sun
days this program was not varied for many
years.
HIS FAMILY.
DR.. Green leaves 4 wife, four sons and two
daughters. His Oldest son. James o. Green,
recently became somewhat prominent by rea-
son of the fact that it was he who discovered
and identified the dead body Of Robert Ray
Hamilton in Snake river, Wyoming. Some
years ago he married the daughter of Abram s.
Hewitt The second second son, Pinckney +.
Green, 10 = lawyer in New York and q we'll
known member Of the University Club. At
Heidelberg, twenty five years, ago he was we'll
known ~ q swordsman and duelist.
John English Green, the third son, still lives
in Louisville. He has repeatedly been elected
president Of the board Of trade and Of several
banks. The youngest son, Warren Green. was
appointed by Mr.. Cleveland ~ United States
consul general 70 Japan. His nomination was
opposed BY the Senate, and he was stterward
recalled.
The two daughters, Mis- Susan and Mics
Grnce. are unmafried.