The record-union., 1894-10-08
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.


this morning. His end was peaceful, he
having been unconscious during the last
twelve hours. All the members of his
family were at his bedside when he
passed away. Mr.. Curtin has been in
feeble health for some weeks, but his con-
dition grew serious on Thursday last, and
from that time he sank rapidly. His
death was caused by old age.
The Ex-Governor was in his S0th year.
and this being combined with nervous
trouble, which, upon reaching the vital
points in the brain, erded his life. When
the case first took OH a serious aspect
physicians were summoned, but they
then abandoned all hopes of recovery.
was not a surprise.
Andrew @. Curtin was born in Belle
fonte, April %. 1915. His father. Roland
Curtin, emigrated from Ireland in 1893,
and in 1907 established near Bellefonte
one of the first manufactures OF iron in
that region. Andrew studied law in the
DickenSon College law school, and was
admitted to the bar in 1889, and soon
became prominent. He early entered
politics as a Whig laboring for Har-
risou's election in lS40 and making a
successful canvass in the State for Clay
In 1914. He was Presidential elector in
1919, and a candidate for elector on the
Whig ticket in 1852. In 1854 Governor
Pollock appointed him Secretary of the
Commonwealth, and ex officio Superin-
tendent of the Common Schools, and in
the discharge of his duties MIR. Curtin
did much toward reforming the school
system of the State. His annual report
OF 1890 recommended the Legislature to
establish normal schools, and his sug-
gestion was adopted.
III 1860 Mr.. Curtin was the Republican
candidate for Governor. The Democrats,
though divided in national politics, were
united in PennsyIv but Mr.. Curtin
was elected by a majority of 81, 900. He
advocated the forcible suppression of Sc
cession, and was one of the war Gov
ernorS who were most earnest in the sup
port OF the National Government. He
responded promptly to the first call for
troops. and when General Patterson, who
was in command in Pennsylvania, asked
for 25, 900 more troops they were at once
furnished. General Patterson's requisi-
lion was aiterward revoked by the Secre-
tary OF War on the ground that the troops
were not needed, but Governor Curtin,
instead of disDanding them, obtained
authority from tie Legislature to equip
them at the States expense, aud hold
Them subject to the call of the National
Government. The body of men became
known as the "Pennsylvania Reserves"
and were accepted by the authorities at
Washington few weeks later.
Governor Curtin was untiring in his
efforts for the comforts of the soldiers
answering carefully the numerous letters
sent from the field and originated the
system of care and instruction for the
children of those slain in battle, making
them wards of the State. He thus be-
came known in the ranks as the SOL
diers' Friend"
Governor Curtin's health began to fail
in 1868, and he signitied his intention of
accepting a foreign mission that had
been offered him as soon as his term
should expire, but in the meantime he
was renominated and reelected by 5000
majority. In November, 1865, Mr.. Cur
tin went to Cuba for his health, and in
that year declined one more foreign mis-
sion. In 1869 General Grant appointed
him Minister to Russia, and in 1868 and
1872 he was prominently mentioned as a
candidate for Vice-President. He re-
turned home in August, 1872, supporting
Horace Greeley for the Presidency. and
subsequently joined the Democratic
party, by which he was elected to Con-
gress for three successive terms, serving
from 1881 to 1887.
In recent years he had been living in
retired life in Bellefonte, where he was a
conspicuous figure, and where his home
esting features Of that locality.
TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD.
HARRISBURG (Pa.), Oct. 7.-Governor
PattiSon issued proclamation tonight.
expressing his profound sorrow for the
death Of Ex-Governor Curtin, and paving
high tribute TO his public service as
Executive OF the State and in other inn
portant positions which he held. He in
vokes for the bereaved family of the ex-
~ Al,r
Pennsylvania and orders all flags to be
displayed at half-mast, and that the sew
eral departments of the State Government
within executive control be closed on the
day of the funeral, which will take place
at o'clock next Wednesday afternoon.
1t has been decided, at the urgent re-
quest of Governor PattiSon, to bury eX-
Governor Curtin with military escort
1t will consist OF regiment ofinfantry, a
troop of cavalry and a battery Of artillery
and is the escort accorded by military eti-
Guette to a Commander-in-Ch The
whole will be in command of a Brigade
Commander. Ex-Governor Beaver has
charge of the arrangements of the funeral,
which will be held under the auspices of
the g. a. X.
Governor Pattison and his staff. Major
Snowden and the commanders of three
brigades of the National Guard, together
with the members of their respeetiye
-
ernor Curtin. Adjutant-General Green
land issued an order tonight directing
FIVE companies each of the Twelfth and
Thirteenth Regiments. Hunts Battery of
Pittsburg and the Sheridan Troop of
Tyrone to report 10 him at Bellefonte on
Wednesday morning to attend the obse-
ouies, Seventeen guns Will be fired at
the State arsenal during the services.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES DEAD.
BosToN. Oct. Z. - Oliver Wendell
Holmes. the well-known poet and author,
died at his home, 296 Beacon street, at
l2:l5 p. NJ. to-day. Heart failure was the
Immediate cause of his death, though the
doctor has been slowly falling for the
past four or five years. An asthmatic
difficulty also assisted in the final break
ing down of the aged author. len days
ago DIR. Holmes returned TO his residence
from his summer home at Beverly Farm.
Before that time slight signs OF improve
ment in his condition were noted, and
the removal was thought advisable. IL
proved, however, very fatiguing, and the
doctor did not regain his former condl-
tion.
Last Friday sudden attack OF heart
failure, which, with the long-standlng
asthmatic trouble, pros.rated him, but
this morning he had apparently recov-
cred. After his physicians had gone,
however, the doctor was seized with q
severe spasm, and before medical AID