The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-13
DEATH OFDR. NORVIN GREEN
The Veteran Telegraph Manager Passes
Away at His Louisville Residence.
Incidents in the Eventful and Successful
Career of the President of the Western
Union Telegraph Company.

LOUISVILLE. KY, Feb. Il - DR.. Norvin
Green's active career was peacefully ended
this morning. With the passing of the
night his life went out, death stealing on
him before the Sabbath day had fairly be-
gun. Mr.. Warren Green watched out the
night at his fathers bedside. AT z o'clock
it was plain that death was hovering near.
In q half hour, while the family was
watching his every breath, life departed
from the body of the head of the Western
Union Telegraph Company at the Green
mansion. on Second and Broadway. The
Western Union wires quickly flashed the
news of Dr.. Green's death all over the
land and kilograms of coincidence began
pouring in. Gen. Thomas T. Eckert and all
officers of the Western Union sent tele-
grams of sympathy. The first arrange
ment of tie family was to have the funeral
at 2:SO o'clock Wednesday afternoon. This
will probably be done. but it Is not
definite, as General Eokert telegraphed
that he and q party of gentlemen would
come from New York as soon as possible.
num- ber OF Western Union officials Will
be among the list of honorary and active
pallbearers. The services will take place
at the residence Thurday morning. and the
remains will be inferred in Cave Hill. The
burial will be private.
Dr.. Green's serious illness was only of
ten days duration. though for six weeks
he has been confined to the house, and
since last fail has not been we'll. Dr. Yam
dell described the disease as catarrhal
dlarrh9a. A similar attack caused him
suffering last summer while at Saratoga.
Last fall he was q victim OF the grip.
Christmas he returned homo from New
York feeling indisDosed. but he kept up his
work, though remaining indoors the
greater part OF the time.
DE-. Norvin Green and his wife three ears
ago celebrated their golden wedding at
their handsome home In this city. He
married In 1s4O. his wife being Miss Martha
English, daughter of Capt. James w.
English. who fought In the battle of Tip
pecanoe and through the war of 1912 under
Cen. William Henry Harrison. The En-
glish family then lived Carroll county,
and after the marriage of Dr.. Green, who
had raised sufficient money TO educate
himself by contracting to cut cordwoo IN
Hunters bottom, moved on the kentucky
side OF the river, opposite Madison. Ind.
He had been forced to labor because of the
bankruptcy OF his father. who lost his all
by becoming surety on guardians bond.
DR.. Norvin Green was born in New AL.
bany. April II. 1918. While child his fam
ny removed 60 TINS state. so that his early
life was identified with Kentucky. His ed
vcatIon was thorough rather than broad,
studies which were suited to the profess
sional life which be had mapped out After
q course in the Unlversity of Louisville he
graduated in 1910 with hOnors. He soon
entered on q successful practice. Not
long afterward he became physician
or the Western Military Academy at
Drennon Springs, KY, of which the late
James u. Blaine was at that time one OF
the Junior instructors. DR.. Green was
elected for several terms to the Kentucky
Legislature, and In 1858 was appointed
charge OF the construction of the national
building in Louisville. While engaged in
these duties, he became one of the lessees
of the United Morse and Peoples Tele-
graph line between Louisville and New
Orleans. and, becoming president of these
interests united under the name of the
Southern Telegraph Company, he became
hencefOTtn identified with the history of
the telegraph. In 1866, when the American,
United States and Western Union lines
were consolidated. DIR. Green was chosen
vice president, and with the exception OF
about three years, during which be &C.
cepted the presidency of the Louisville
Cincinnati ~ Lexington Railway Com.
psny, retained that office until January,
1873. when be returned to duty as vice.
president of the Western Union Telegra ph
Company. 1t was during this interim oi
three years that he again entered the pol.
tics of the State and was waited on by q
delegation OF the Legislature and urged tC
accept the nomination for United States
Senator. 1t is said that he could have
been elected. but for d clerical error In the
count of the nominating caucus Dr.
Green was elected president of the Western
Union Telegraph Company April %, 1878