The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-10-10
AHnREw q CURTIN DEAD.
Pennsylvsnia's War Governor Fasesa
Peacefully Away.


BELLEFoNTE, Pa, Oct. 7.-Hon. Andrew
Gregg Curtin, the old war governor of
Pennsylvania, died this morning at 5
o'clock. His death was not only painless
but calm, the last vital spark going out
afler a sleep of Il hours, n peaceful ending
TO the long. useful al even turbulent
public life of this great and distinguished
man.
During part of yesterday the governor
would at times become delirious, imag-
lining there was something he had proinis-
ed To do and had not yet done and begged
10 be allowed 20 get zap and do it, as he
had never yet broken promise made.
To quiet his nervous system il was neces-
sary to administer an opiate, and under
its influence he sank into quiet sleep
about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, losing all
consciousness, and from which he never
awoke.
The direct cause OF the ex-governor
death was general breaking down of his
nervous system. 1t can be truly said that
there was more genuine sorrow in Belle
fonte to-day over the death of Governor
Curtin than was ever before known. The
funeral has been set for Wednesday after
neon at o'clock, interment to be made
in Union cemetery in this place.
Telegrams of coincidence have been re-
eeived from Governor Pattison and Col.
4. X. Mcclure, editor ofthe Philadelphia
Times, both of whom have signiiied their
intention of attending the funeral.
Andrew Gregg Curtin was born in
Bellefonte, Centre county, April -, 1915.
His father, Roland Curtin, emigrated
from Ireland in 1893, and in 1897 establish
ed near Bellefonte one of the first man
ufactures of iron in that region. Andrew
studied law i'm the Dickinson College Law
school, was admitted TO the bar in 1873
and soon became prominent. He early
entered politics as a Whig.
In ISL Governor Pollock appointed
him secretary of the commonwealth and
ex-officio superintendent of common
schools. In his annual report of 1865 he
recommended to the legislature the
establishment OF normal schools, and his
suggestion was adopted.
III WI. tuiklil was tilt fhtDtDAitetii
candidate for governor, and was elected
by large majority. lie advocated the
forcible suppression of secession, and was
one ofthe war governors who were most
earnest in the support Of the national
government.
Governor Curtin was untiring in his
efforts for the comfort of the soldiers and
became known in the ranks as the
soldiers friend"
His health began 10 fail in 1863, and he
signified his intention of accepting for
eign mission that had been offered him ~,
soon as his term should expire, bat in the
meantime he WAS renominated and re-
elected.
In November, 1855, Mr.. Curtin went 10
Cuba for his health, and in that year de-
clined another offer of a foregn mission
In 1863 General Grant appointhd him
minister to Russia. He returned home
in august, 1872, supporting Horace Greely
for the presidency and subsequently
joined the Democratic party, by which
he was elected to congress for three sue
cessive terms, serving from lssl till 1877.
In recent Years he had been living a re-
tired life in Bellefonte, where he was
conspicuous figure and where his home
was pointed ont rs one OF the most in
teresting features of that locality.
Arrangements for the funeral of eX-
Governor Curtin are so far perfected that,
at the urgent solicitation of fGovernor Pat
tison, the family have consented to
funeral with military honors. Governor
Beaver will have fall charge and there
will he an escort ofa regiment of infantry,
a troop of cavalry and . battery ofartillery
with the q. \. X. under command of the
brigade commander. Governor Pattison
will attend with his staff