New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-18
col. HOUSTON IN A HOSPITAL.
An ARMY OFFICER SENT TO ST. vINCEST's.
GREAT SECRECY As TO HIs AIr.NENT-A WOMAN
WHO ACCOMPANIED HIN DYING.

GREAT SECRECY As TO HIs AI1.NENT-A WOMAN
WHO ACCOMPANIED HIN DYING.
Colonel David c. Houston. OF the United states
Artnr a wclknOwn engineer officer. whose ONCE J.
ot NO. 80 Whitelmst., has been In -. Vincent Hos
paI since last Friday on that day he was removed
by friends from the Everett House In Union
II was said at the hotel that lie had been drinking
freely and his Illness was believed to be due TO
the too free Of liquor. Information regarding his
sickness was refused at the hospital yesterday. y
woman, known as Mrs. Minnie Porter. who accom-
panied Colonel Houston 10 the hotel two week
was sent to Bellevue Hospital Sunday. suffering
from alcoholism. She was believed to be- dying last
evening
The clerks at the Everett House have hnoun
Colonel Houston an occasional guest for several
years One Of them said last evening that the
Colonel had been no,iccaby under the Influence OF
liquor there on than occasion. He L. Il
widower his wife having died several years ago
on Nav he went 10 the hotel accompanied by
Mr.. Porter ana man servant The servant said
that Mrs Porter the Colon"ls niece She was
signed 10 No. ~ ana the Colonel 10 room
No. "a. Colonel Houston di1 not leave the hotel
again until he carried 10 the hospital on Fri
dav. lie was In the harroom few times, but ne
remained in his much Of the time. Mrs.
Porter was seen 10 60 OF the house several times.
II wa, noticed that she seemed be under the In
nlcnce Of liquor. \ few bottles OF beer had been
sent TO her by her order. but the supply was
stopped when II was noticed that she drinking
too freely.
On Friday some friends Of Colonel Houston went
TO the hotel and took him the hospital. His
bill hotel had mol been presented to him. Mr..
Porter remained IN her room at the hotel. and She
gave evidence that 81" had obtained supply
Of liquor In way MR.. Pa'tcn tln' housekcepcr.
and other servants saw the womb staggering la
the hall and acting II she were on the verge Of
dcirum. The woman went out on saturday and
her appearance caused some men In the hotel Office
inquire who she
"That's The In A." said Of the servants,
and she has got her usual Jag with her."
On Sunday her condition was bad that DR..
Millbank. the hotel physician, advised sending her
TO a hospital. lie said She suffering from
alcoholism. The housckecper took Mrs Porter
Bellevue IN n coach and also carried letter from
DR.. Mibank requesting the doctors Mt the hospital
TO give the patient careful treatment. Mrs Porter
had said 10 the hOusckeepcr that her home I'm
Tennessee, and that her husband was living there.
Later She SAID that She lad and daughter
In Jersey City. soon after being admitted 10 the
hospital she became dcrious and sent 10 the
alcoholic ward. \ Young who said hc was n
friend OF the woman inquired for her at the hotel
on Monday and told to seek her At the hospital.
Al 81. Ninccn's Hospital Yesterday afternoon II
was said that Colonel Houston n patient there.
and recovering, but the nature Of his Illness
not disclosed. physician nj The hospital last
Ing refused to give any information regarding the
Colonel. He declined 10 admit deny that
the Colonel had been inmate OF the hospital.
About the history OF Mrs. Minnie Porter Colonel
UOuston's companion. who was said TO be diving from
alcoholism In Bellevue Hospital last evening there
be little doubt. one glance ~ her coarsc textures
Is sufficient 10 estimate her probable social standing
,hc Is the kind OF woman whom the people Of Cherry
Hill would call good-loolng. Almost from the hour
OF her arrival In bellevue Hospital she has been I'M.
conscious and, beyond cries for WILLIE and Charlie
no words have passed her lips. That she viii die +,
Utmost certain, I'm the opinion OF the hospital officers
Yesterday DIR. Faringion who has attended her. gavs
up hope Of her recovery.
on the day after Ter admission 10 the hospital
wcldrcsscd young man called ard asked for nformi.
ton about Mis-. Porter Twice each day since then
morning and afternoon. h. has called AT the hospital
displaying only cool interest In the patient, until
yesterday. when DR.. Harrington told him that SHE
dying. Then he turned white and fell into a
chair The words that broke from him made tho,,
In the believe that he WAS the "Wlle' 70.
whom the dying woman had called chambarmsiI
employed at the Hotel Ncndomc called twic, no the