The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-10-08

BKLLKFOkTEt EAst SS@
nor Andrew G. Curtin died at 8 o'clock
this morning. His end was peaceful, he
having been unconscious during the
last twelve hours OF his life. ALI mem
bers Of his family wore at the bedside
when he passed away. Mr.. Curtin had
been In feeble health for some weeks,
but his condition grow serious on
Thursday last, and from that time he
sank rapidly. Death was caused by
old age, the ex-governor being in his
cightieth year-combincd with nervous
trouble, which, upon reaching the vital
point in the brain, ended his life.
When the case first took on q serious
aspect physicians were summoned, but
they then abandoned all hopes OF re.
coyery, and the death Of the iex-gover-
nor was not surprise. 49,.
1t has been decided at the urgent re-
ouest OF Governor Pattison-to bury ex-
Governor Curtin with military escort.
II will consist OF q regiment OF infantry,
n troop OF cavalry aud battery Of a"til-
lery, and Is the escort accorded by mill
tary etiquette TO O commander.in-chiet.
Tbe whole will be in command OF a
brigade commander. Ex-Governor
Beayer has charge Of the arrangements
of the funeral, which will bo held under
the auspices Of the Grand Army Of the
Republic.
Governor Pattison and his staff, Ma
ior General snowden. and the com.
inanders OF the three brigades Of the ma
tional guard, together with the mem
bers OF their respective stats will ut
tend the funeral OF Ex-Governor Curtin.
Adiutant General Greenland issued an
order tonight directing five companies,
each OF tho Twelfth aud Fifth
regiments, Hunts battery, OF Pitts
burrh, and the Sheridan troup.
Tyrone, to report to him at Belletonte,
on Wednesday morning, to attend the
obseQuies. Seventeen guns will be fred
at the state arsenal during the services.
Andrew Gregg Curtin was born in
Bellefont, Centre county, April %, 1910.
His father, Roland Curtin, emigrated
from Ireland in 1903. and IN 1907 estao-
lishcd near BeIiefonte ono OF tile hrss
manufactures OF iron in that region.
Andrew studied law in the Dickinson
college law school, was admitted to the
bar in 1889 and soon became promt-
nent He early entered politics as a
Whig. laboring for Harrison's election
in 1910 and making successful canvass
OF tho state 10 1874. He was presiden-
tial eloctor in 1S4S and candidate for
elector on the Whig ticket in 1852.
In 1854 Governor Pollock appointed
him secretary OF the commonwealth
and ex.ofIicio superintendent Of COM
mon schools, and in the discharge OF
his duties MIR. Curtin did much toward
reforming and perfecting the school
system OF the state. In his annual re-
port OF 1856 he recommended to the
legislature tho establishment Of normal
schools. and his suggestion was adopted.
In 1850 Mr.. Curtin was tho Republi-
candidate for governor. The Demo
Gratis, though divided in national poll.
tics, were united in pennsylvania, but
Mr. Curtin was elected by majority OF
$4,000. lie advocated the iorcible sup
preston Of secession, and was one OF
the war governors who were most ear
most in support OF national government.
He responded promptly to the first call
for troops, and when General Patter-
son, who was In command in Pennsyl'
Vania, asked for 25.000 more troops,
they were Immediately furnished.
General Patterson's reQuisition was
afterward revoked by tho secretary OF
war on the grouGd that the troops were
not needed, but Governor Curtin, in.
stead OF disbanding thom, obtained au-
thority from the legislature to equip
them at tho states expense and hold
them subject to the call OF tho national
government This body OF men be-
came known as "The Pennsylvania
Reserves" aud was accepted by the
authorities ut Washington few weeks
later.
Governor Curtin was untiring in his
efforts for the comfort OF the soldiers
answering carefully the numerous lot,
iers sent him from tho field, and orig.
iginated the system OF care and in.
structions for tho children Of those slain
in battle, making them wards OF the
state. lie thus became known in tho
ranks as tho soldiers friend"
SSNSt"NA SulbltA uG1lIu Dekuu
fail In 1858, and be siRnified bis inten.
tion OF accepting foreign mission that
had been offered him as soon as his
term should expire, but in the mean,
time he was renominated and reelected
by $1,000 majority.
InNoyember Mr.. Curtin won't to Cubf
for his health, and in that year doclin.
cd another otier OF q foreign mission,
In 1850 Gen. Grant appointed him min,
istpr to Russia and in 1863 and 1872 he
was prominently mentioned rs a can
dtdate for vice president Ho returned
homo in August 1872, supporting Hor
aco Greedy for tho presidency, and sub
soquently Joined tho Democratic party
by which he was elected to Congrcs.
for three successive terms, serving irou
1881 till 1887.
In recent years he had boon living il
retired lilo In Bcllefonte, whore he wa
q conspicuous figure, and whero hi
homo was pointed out as ono OF thr
most interesting features OF that local
ity.