The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-06-06

! 80 this morning He was conscious
until an hour and half before HIS
death, and talked 10 his wlte ana
daughter.
When Mr.. Gresham was taken SICK
four weeks ago the physician dag
noSed the case as gall stone In the
bladder. His pleurisy symptoms were
overlooked for almost thi' ty-slN hours
AS soon as Dr. w. w. Johnston, who
is now the attending physician, was
called. he discovered that the secre-
tary was suffering from an acute case
of pleurisy. probably caused 10y eX-
posture Willie riding out to Noodley,
the presidents country place. at night.
In the meantime Tie gall stone mad
passed. The secretary'S r'"ht lung was
affected. the cavity bong already
filled with pleuratic fluid, his respira-
ton rose to 43. The physicians de-
clded not TO tap the cavity, but TO rely
upon absorption TO rid il of the eXuded
fluid Gradually Secretary Gresham
grew better. The respiration was re-
duced almost 10 normal. When DR.
Johnston thought all danger past, tie
left lung suddenly became affected,
and the secretary failed rapidly.
Walter Quintin Gresham was sol
der. a judge and a statesman, emf
nent and distinguished in these three
great fields of human endeavor. He
rose TO the rank of major general Of
volunteers during the rebellion. He
was for fourteen years United States
circuit Judge for Illinois, and held
three cabinet portfolios. postmaster
general and secretary of the treasury
under Arthur and secretary of state
under Cleveland.
Gresham came from English stock.
His ancestors moved TO Virginia and
later 10 Harrison county, Indiana,
where he was born on st. Patrick's
day. 1899. In 1888 GreSham's father
was elected sheriff, and the next year
was murdered by a noted desperate
whom he had gone to arrest. His
mother was left widow with five
small children. Walter .. was but
two years of age when his father was
killed. Walter grew mp with but two
or three winters schooling until he
was sixteen years of age. BY dint of
hard work and the assistance of his
brother he succeeded in entering the
seminary at CorydOn. Two years there
and one at Bloomington university
schooling was concerned. He began
the study of law under Judge w. A.
Porter. one Of the noted characters of
Southern Indiana, while acting as
deputy clerk. and in 1854 entered into
partnership with Thomas G. Slaughter.
an eminent lawyer of that time. and
afterwards judge of the circuit court.
In 1850 the Republican party was
formed, and with ii Gresham at once
allied himself. In the law Gresham
had gained good reputation as a
careful, painStaking lawyer
Wieh the first shrek of wars alarm
Gov. Morton appointed him lieutenant
colonel of the Thlrty-eighth Indiana
but before he saw active service he
was appointed colonel Of the Fifty
third in December. 1861. Gresham's
regiment was ordered to Join Grant
after Donaldson, Aug II, 1863 and he
was appointed brigadier general on
the recommendation of Grant and
Sherman and placed in command of
the Natchez division. In the following
spring be was placed in command Of
the division of the Seventeenth corps
Of the Tennessee. which took part in
the campaign against Atlanta. At
1Rcgctte Hill. before Atlanta. he was
struck ny sharpshooter's bullet Just
below the knee. To the day of his
death Gresham never recovered the
full use Of his limb.
The war over Gen. Gresham re-
turned to his profession. forming
law partnership at New Albany. Ind.
In 1866 he was nominated for congress
against NJ. G. Kerr. but the district
was heavily Democratic and he was
defeated. When Gen. Grant became
president he appointed him United
States district judge for Indiana.
When postmaster general Howe died
in April. 1883. Gresham, then holding
court at Evansville. was rendered the
cabinet position by telegraph. and &C
cepted. Near the close Of Arthur's
term, on the death of Secretary
FOlger. he was appointed secretary Of
the treasury. position he held until
October. 1884. President Arthur. who
had taken him from the bench. had
the satisfaction of restoring him TO
the bench at the close of his service,
by appointing him to succeed Judge
DrummOnd.
In 1888 Judge Gresham was made a
prominent candidate for the Republic
an nomination for the presidency at
the Chicago convention. His liberal
views on the tariff created against
him the antagonism Of the extreme
protectiOnists at Chicago. He. with
other Republicans. openly dissented
from the Mckinley law. and i'm 1899
after the nomination of Mr.. Cleveland
by the Democrats, he renowned his
allegiance to the Republican marty
aud advocated Mr.. Cleveland's elec-
ton. After Mr.. Cleveland was elected
in February. 1893, he summoned
Judge Gresham to Lakewood, n L.
where, after a consultation. he ron
dered him the position of premier of
the cabinet he was forming. Judge
Gresham assumed tho dntinS Of Coz