The morning call., 1894-10-08
Was Associated With Leading
Men of the Land.
PENNsYLvANIA's GREAT LOSS.
Valiant Deeds of the Statesman Dur
ing the Dark Days of the
Rebellion.

having been unconscious during the last
twelve hours. All the members of bis
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, and from
that time he sank rapidly. His death was
caused by old age.
The Ex-Governor was in his eightieth
year, and this combined with ner-
vous trouble, which, upon reaching the
vital points in the brain, ended his life.
When the case first took on serious as
pect physicians were summoned, but they
then abandoned all hopes ofrecovery, and
the death of the old war Governor was not
a surprise.
1t has been decided at the urgent request
OF Governor PatIison to bury ex-governor
Curtin with military escort. 1t will con-
sist of regiment of infantry, a troop of
cavalry and battery of artillery, and is
the escort accorded by military etiquette of
command Ter in-chief. The whole will be
In command of igadier-general. Ex-
Governor Beaver has charge of the ar
rangements for the funeral, which will BIZ
held under the auspices of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
HARRISBURG, Pa, Oct. 7.-Governor
Pattison issued a proclamation tonight ex-
pressing his profound sorrow for the death
OF Ex-Governor Curtin, and paying high
tribute to his public service as executive
of the Stale and in the other important
positions which he held. He invokes for
the bereaved family of the Ex-Governor
the sympathy of the people of Pennsyl-
vania. ana orders all flags on public build
ings to be displayed at half-mast. and that
the several departments of the State Gov
eminent within executive control be closed
on the day of the funeral. which will take
place at 2 o'clock next Wednesday alter
noon.
Governor Pattison and his staff, Major
Snowden and the commanders of the three
brigades of the National Guard, together
with the members Of their respective
STATS, will attend the funeral Of ex-Gov-
ernor Curtin. Acknowledgement Green
land issued an order tonight directing five
companies each of the I welfth and Thir-
teenth regiments, Hunts Battery of Pitts
burg and the Sheridan Troop, Tyrone. to
report to him at Bellefonte on Wednesday
morning to attend the obsequies. Seven
teen guns will be fred at the State arsenal
during the services.
Andrew Gregg Curtin was born in Belle
fonte, Pa. on April %, 1915. of Scotch
Irish parents, and received his education
in the schools of BeIlefonte and Milton
Academy. Commencing his studies with
William w. Potter. leading belefonte
lawyer. he finished them at the Carlisle
law school of Judge John Reed, then one
OF the most distinguished jurists of the
State, among his fellow-students being
Francis W. Hughes, III. n. McAllisier,
Allison McMurtre and William Smithers.
Admitted to the bar. he at once CON-
menced practice in Beliefonte. The Gen.
ter County bar then ranked as one OF the
ablest in the State, among its younger
mem bers being such brilliant LAWYERS as
Samuel Linn, Fl. n. McAllister and james
Hale, all, Ike their colleague, destined to
attain distinction in future years.
Governor Curtin did his first active poll
tcal work at the age of twenty-three as a
speaker for Genera, Harrison in the cam
paign of 1910. Four years later in more
extended field bis voice was heard in favor
of the election Of Henry Clay, the political
idol of his early manhood. In 1S4S and
1852 he served on the Wing ELECTORAL
tickets. In 1854, though still under forty.
leaders of the Wing party in Pennsylvania,
and at the State conven ton held that wear
his nomination for Governor was strongly
urged. However, he was former school,
mate and warm friend of Hop. James Pol
lock, the leading candidate for governor.
and. ruled by fine sense of honor, he re-
fused TO allow the use of his name while
that gentleman remained in the field. Gov
cd
and Governor Curtin became his Secretary
of State.
The six years following the election of
Governor Pollock had vital bearing upon
the future of the Republican party in
Pennsylvania and of Governor Curtin.
An enthusiastic supporter of General John
c. Fremont in the Presidential campaign
Of 1856, he drew about him the younger
and more energetic among those who
voted for "The Pathfinder" and became
the head of the party in the State. Penn
sylyania gave her electoral vote to Bit
chanan In 1855, and year later General
William Z. Packer. the Dem ocratlc candi-
date, was elected Governor. But the Re-
pnblcans carried the State In 1858 and
1859. and Governor Curtin and his party
colleagues became convinced that il could
be carried by the Republicans in the State
and national elections OF 1850. In due
time he announced himself as a candidate
for the nomination for Governor, AL
though strongly opposed, he was pomi-
mated on February %, 1860, and at once
turned his attention 10 the Republican
national convention, about to assemble at
Chicago, for the purpose of placing in
ncmin alton candidates for President and
Vice-Presidsnt. Strong as were the
hopes OF the Pennsylvania Republi-
cans Of success at their State cleo
ton, then held In October, it was
still an unsettled question whether or
not the rank and file of the old Wing
party would fellow their chieftans into
the new Republican party. For this rea-
son the strength and availability Of the
nominee of the Chicago convention were
felt by Governor Curtin and his friends to
be matters of the first Importance. The
Democrats had dominated for Governor
Henry ID. Foster. a man whose ability and
popularity, backed by the discreet and
patriotic administration of Governor
Packer. were certain to put the strength
of the infant party Ia the severest test.
A strong Presidential M minee would ado
greatly to the prospects of Republican sue
cess in PENNSYLVANIA in October. and the
election of Governor Curtin would have
an incalculabIe effect upon the November
contest Upon the other hand. Governor