The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-05-31
Trlbute 70 Gresham,s Charaotsr.


WASHINGTON, May 29.-Washington
was hardly prepared for the announce.
ment of the death Of Secretary of State
Walter Q. Gresham, which occurred at
such late hour Monday night that it
was not known to the public until read
in the papers Tuesday morning, for al.
though the fatal termination had been
forecast, there was no general apprehen.
sion that the end would come so soon.
Flags were lowered to half mast on
public buildings and for many private
business house. Public business was,
for the time, laid aside by the higher
officers Of the government, and promi-
nent people fastened to the Arlington
hotel, where the Greshams have made
their home in this city, to leave their
cards and messages Of coincidence. The
president and Mrs. Cleveland called
during the morning and were for half
an hour with Mrs Andrews, the daugh-
ter of the dead man, and with Mr.. Otto
Gresham, the son.
Afterward the president and several
members Of the cabinet held a confer.
ence at the White House to consider the
arrangements for the funeral and later
in the day the president issued a procla-
nation, paying warm tribute to the
character Of his secretary of state.
There was also a meeting of the diplo-
matio corps at the British embassy,
where appropriate action was taken.
The funeral ceremonies in Washington
were Of a semiofficial character, as they
were held in the east room of the
White House, with the president and
his cabinet, justices of the supreme
court, ambassadors and ministers, rep.
resentatiyes eff the departments and
the army and navy and others present,
and all official business was suspended
for the day. Major General Ruger had
command Of all Of the military forces
stationed about the Capitol, which
acted as an escort for tine funeral party
from the White House to the depot,
where a special train was in readi-
ness to convey the party to Chicago.
The train left Washington shortly
after noon and had on board President
Cleveland and Secretary Gresham's col
leagues of the cabinet, who viii follow
the body to the grave. The seven cabi-
net officers, with Acting Secretary Uhl,
acting secretary, officiated as active
pallbearers. Mr.. Carlisle, who was in
Tennessee, viii join the funeral party
at some point on the route. Hon. VII.
son ). Bissel, ex-postmaster general,
also accompanied the remains to Chi
oago.
Soldier, Judge and Statesman.
Walter QuintOn Gresham was a soldier,
a judge and a statesman, eminent and
distinguished in those three great fields of
human endeayoF. He rose to the rank of
major general of volunteers during the re-
beiiion. He was for Il years United
States circuit judge for Illinois and held
three cabinet portfolios, postmaster gen
gral and secretary OF the treasury under
arthur and secretary Of state undef CleFe-
land. Mr. Gresham came of English
stock. Bis ancestors moved TO Virginia
and Later toS Harrison county, Indiana.
where he was born on St. Patriok's dav.
1872. IN 1888 GreshaIn's father was elected
sheriff and the snext year was murdered
~ q noted desperate whom he had gone
20 arrest. His mother was left widow
with i've small children. Walter 0. was
tllen put years Of age. Walter grew up
Yin but two OF three winters schooling
tii1la &c was le years Of age. By dint Of
marc work and the assistance Of his
pFoEaier, he succeeded in entering the
seminary AZ GQrgdcn. Two years there
as1a one az. Bloomington university COM
sssIe: BIS eaucation Sc faF es schooling
,.ss aonceguea