The herald., 1896-01-27
The United States Ambassador
to Germany
HEART DISEASE THE CAUSE
His Death Was Sudden and Altogether
Unexpected
He Was Hsn Of Unqu-stIoned Ability sn1
High Social Attainments- -tfls -.
Death Shock
Associated Press special Wire.

ASsocldtcu FreSS Special wire.
BERLIN, Jan. 27.-Hon. Theodore Rum
yon, United States ambassador to Ger.
many. expired suddenly and Unexpectedly
at o'clock this morning of heart failure.
Mr.. Runyon had been in somewhat feeble
health for some time past, but no imme-
diate fatal results were anticipated. No
longer ago than last Tuesday evening he
was present at dinner given in his honor
by ex-Empress Frederick, mother of EN-
peror William. Last summer he planned
to make an extended trip through Norway,
but on the advice Of his physician
he abandoned this trip and instead
went to Carlsbad, where he took
the cure. He subsequently went to
Axenstein, Switzerland, for the purpose Of
taking an after-cure. Since that time,
however, he has manifested great activity
in the discharge of the duties of his office,
which have been more than unusually on.
erous on account of the complications in
European affairs, which have more or less
demanded the attention and care of the
diplomatic representatives of all nations.
His death will come aa . great shock to
official and social circles here in Berlin,
where he was great favorite.
Theodore Runy on was born at Somer-
VIllos M oss OcVOD0T AOs l0lIs ne Rr8QUs
ated from Yale in 1912, and in 1916 was
admitted to the bar. In 1853 he was made
city attorney, and in 1855 city counsellor
of Newark, N. j., q position he retained
until, in 1854, he became mayor of the
city. He was appointed, in 1855, . conn
missioner to revise and codify the military
laws Of New Jersey; in 1857 was made
brigadier-general, and subsequently major
general of the New Jersey National guard.
AT the outbreak of the civil war
he was placed in command Of
New Jersey brigade Of vol
unteers. In 1855 he was Democratic
candidate for governor of his state, but
was not elected. In 1873 to 1887 he was
chancellor of New Jersey. In March, L 1693,
he was appointed by President Cleveland
United States minister to Germany, and
shortly afterwards was made ambassador,
in accordance with a law of congress that
the United States representative in Ger
many should be raised to the rank Of am
bassador reciprocally with similar action
on the part of the German government
concerning its representatives in the
United States. The degree of LII. d. was
conferred upon him by Yale, Rutgers and
Wesleyan colleges.
Mr.. Runyon was the successor of Will.
lam Walter Phelps, who held the place of
German minister for years. He was q gal
liant soldier and Fort Runyon on the Alex
andria railroad. at the south end of Long
DrluRe, near washington, ~. u, Is per-
petuation of his name.
At the time of the appointment of Mr..
Runyon it was remarked as being that of
the office seeking the man. His name had
been presented to the president by Senator
Mcpherson and Senator Smith, and he
knew nothing of the application which
was being made in his behalf un-
til he was asked by letter If
he would accept. The unequivocal
endorsement which he received from the
senators and the high reputation enjoyed
by him in the state led the president to
make the appointment without hesitation.
He was a man of unquestioned ability and
high social attainments. During his
service in Berlin the most important mat
ter that has been pending between the
United States and Germany has been that
in regard to the removal of the restrictions
imposed on the importations Of American
pork and beef products into that country.
NO OFFICIAL ADNICES
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-The Associated
Press announcement of the death of AM
bassador Runyon preceded any of the adj
vices to the departments here, and none
had been received up to midnight. Tho
lateness of the hour prevented the news
from being widely known in Washington.
The announcement of the death will be a
great shock to the administration person.
ages, for although Mr.. Runyon was not
we'll known here personally, yet the diplo-
matte ability which he has shown has given
the administration great confidence in him.