The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-30
UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR
TO GERMANY SUDDENLY sue
CUMBS TO HEART FAIL
URE.
HIS SID DEMISE WAS UNEXPECTED.
A Great Shock to Berlin Official and
Social Circlcs-A Brief Bio
graphical Sketch.

Berlin Jan. 27.-Hon Theodore Run
yon, United States ambassador to Ger
many, expired suddenly and unexpected
ly at ! a. III. of heart failure.
Mr.. Runyon had been in somewhat fee
bic health for some time past, but no
immediate fatal results were antcpat-
ed. No longer ago than last Tuesday
evening he was present at dinner given
in his honor by cX-Emprcss Frederick,
mother of Emperor William. Last sum
mer he had planned to make an extended
trip through Norway, but on the advice
of his physician he abandoned this trip
and went to Carlsbad, where he took
the cure. He subsequently went to AK
tenstein and went there for the pur-
pose of taking the cure. Since that time,
however, he has manifested great activ-
ity in the discharge of the duties Of his
Office, which have been more than usu-
ally onerous on account of the complica-
tions in European affairs, which have
more or less demanded the attention and
care of the diplomatic representatives of
all nations. His death will come as a
great shock to official and social circles
in Berlin, where he was n great favoritc.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY.
Newark, n. j., Jan. 20. -- Theo-
dore Runyon was born ut Somer-
vile, n. j., October %, 1922 He gradu-
atcd from Yale college in 1912, and in
1916 was admitted to the bar. In 1858
he was made city attorney and in 1856
city councillor of Newark. n. j., posi-
ton he retained until in 1864, when he
became mayor of the city. He was APP
pointed in 1856 commissioner TO re-
wise and codify the military laws of New
Jersey, and in 1857 was made briga-
der general, and subsequently major gen
eral of the New jersey National guard
At the outbreak of the Civil war he was
placed in command of II New Jersey brig
ade of volunteers. In 1865 he was Dem
ocratc candidate for governor of his
State, but was not elected. In 1873 to
1887 he was chancellor of New Jersey.
In March, 1893, he was appointed by
President Cleveland United States minis
ter to Germany, and shortly afterwards
was made ambassador, in accordance with
law of congress that the United States
representatives in Germany should be
raiset$fto the rank of ambassador reci-
procahy with the similar action on the
part of the German government concern
ing its representative in the United
states. A. LII. ID. was conferred upon
him by Yale, Rutledge and Wesleyan
colleges.
He moved. with his family, in the best
society in the United States. He had |
three daughters and two sons. The |
daughters were all noted for their beauty
and there was much regret in Newark |
society when they followed their father |
and mother TO the German court.
The sons are Chauncey Runyon, - |
years old, and Frederick, 20 years old.
TIE first known of the death of Mr.. |
Runyon by his friends in Newark came |
in the form of cablcgram to Chamcey |
Runyon, saying his father died from |
heart failure,
One of Mr. Munyon's daughters is n
gifted writer and is credited with the au-
thorship of book recently published in
which some well known Newark people
were rather freely treated.
THE OFFICE SOUGHT THE MAN.
Washington, Jan. 26.-Mr. Runyon
was the successor of William Walter
Phelps, who had held the place of Ger
man minister for four years. lie was a
gallant soldier and Fort Runyon on the
Alexandria railroad, at the south end
of Long Bridge, near Washington, d. c.,
is n perpetuation 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
Senators Mcpherson and Smith, and he
knew nothing of the application which
was being made in his behalf until he
was asked by letter If he would accept.
The unequivocal endorsement which he
received from the senator's and the high
reputation enjoyed by him in the State
led the president to make the appoint
ment without hesitation. He was man
of unQuestioned ability and high social
attainments.
During his service in Berlin the most
important matter that has been pending
between the United States and Germa
ny has been that in regard to the re-
moval of the restrictions imposed on the
importations of American pork and beef
nrnductS into that country