The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-10-11
EX-GOV. CURTIN DEAD.
EXPIRES ATs THE ADVANCED
AGE OF so YEARS.
Born and Spent His Life in the Pretty
Town of Bellefonte, Pale Was
Famous as a Statesman
and Diplomat,

oELLEt ON1tj o'y OOls ''-14A@SON'
ernor Andrew G. Curtin died at
O'Clock this morning. His end wa.
peaceful, he having been unconsciou;
during the last II hours of his life
A IL the members of his family were
at the bedside when he passed away
Mr.. Curtin had been in feeble health
for some weeks but his condition
grew serious on Thursday last anC
from that time he sank rapidly
Death was caused by old age, the
governor being in his S0th year, com
bined with nervous trouble, which
upon reaching the vital point in the
brain, ended his life.
When the case first took on seri
GUS aspect physicians were summoned
but they then abandoned all hopes o.
recovery and The death of the old wal
governor was not q surprise.
Andrew Gragg Curtin was born In
Bellefonte county, April %, 1915. His
father, Roland Curtin. emigrated
from Ireland in 1893, and in 1907 esrab'
lished near Belleiente one OF the first
manufactures in that region. An.
drew studied law in the Dickinson
Id w SCuOO1s w dc w lhC Val
in 1882 and soon became prominent.
He early entered politics as q Wing,
laboring for Harrison's election in
1914. He was presidential elector in
1S4S and q candidate for elector on the
Wing ticket in 1862.
In 1864 Governor Pollock appointed
him secretary OF the commonwealth
and eX.officio uperintendent of the
common schools, and in the discharge
OF his duties Mr., Curtin did much to-
wards reforming and perfecting the
school system of the state. In his
annual report of 1866 he recommended
to the Legislature the establishment
of normal schools and his suggestion
was adopted. In 1860 Mr.. Curtin was
the Republican candidate for gov
ernor. The Democrats, though di-
vided in national policies, were united
in Pennsylvania, out Mr.. Curtin was
elected by a majority OF 80 600.
He advocated the forcible suppress
sion of secession and was one of the
war governors who were the most
earnest in the support of the national
government. He responded promptly
to the first call for troops, and when
General Patterson. who was in COM
mand in Pennsylvania, asked tor %,
600 more troops, they were immedi-
ateIy furnished. General PattersOn's
requisition was afterwards revoked
by the secretary of war on the ground
that the troops were not needed, but
Governor Curtin, instead of dlsband-
ing them, issued authority from the
legislature to equip them at the states
expense and hold them subject to the
call of the national government. This
body of men became known as the
Pennsylvania Reserves, and was &C.
copied by the authoritiesa Washing
ton few weeks later.
Governor Curtin was untiring IN his
efforts for the comfort of the soldiers,
answering carefully the numerous
letters sent him from the field and
originated the system of care and in.
struction for the children of those
slain in battle, making them wards o.
the state. He thus became known in
the ranks as the "sOldier's friend y
Governor Curtin's health began tC
fail in 1868, and he signiied his in.
tentions of accepting a foreign mis-
sion that had been offered him al
soon as his term should expire, but in
the meantime he was renominated
and elected by $1,000 majority. In
November, 1865, Mr.. Curtin went tC
Cuba for his health, and in that veal
declined another offer of a foreign
mission. In 1866 General Grant APP
pointed him minister to Russia and il
1868 and 1872 he was prominently
mentioned as candidate for vice
president. He returned home il
August, 1872, supporting Horace
Greeley for the presidency, and sub
sequently joined the Democratic
party, by which he was elected
to congress for three successive
terms, serving from 1881 to 1887 Ii
recent years he had been living re.
tired life in Bellefonte, where he Wal
conspicuous figure and where hi
home was pointed out as one of tht
most interesting features OF that local
ity.
PROCLAMATION OF SORROW.
HARRISBURG, Pa, Oct.7 -Governo
Pattison issued q proclamation to
night expressing his profound sorrow
at the death of Ex-Governor Curtil
and paying a high tribute 10 his pub
lie services as executive of the stat
and the different positions which b.
held. He extends to the bereavet
family the sympathy of the peop!
ar d ordered that all the flags on pub
lie buildings be placed at half mas
and that the several public offices b
closed on the day of the funeral, which
will take place at 2 O'Clock mex
Wednesday.
1t has been decided at the urgen
request of Governor Pattison to bur!
Ex-Governor Curtin with a military
escort, 1t will consist of regiment
troop of cavalry and battery o
artillery, and is the escort accorded
by military etiquette to a commando
in chief. The whole will be in com
mand of a brigadier commander. Ex'
Governor Beaver has charge OF th
arrangements of the funeral, which
will be directed under the auspices Z
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Reagan Speaks at San Marcos.