Evening star., 1897-02-17

the time his strange fancy struck him a
life of conviviaMty and good fellowship.
For years he never slept save when the
sun was shining, spending his entire nights
in the company of tie men about town
who dropped in at Charlie Godfrey's place
on 18th street, neXt to the corner of T.
street, where Johnsons saloon is situated
Godfrey, the proprietor, was Pleasonton's
boon companion, and there always d
group of interested listeners around them
eager to hear the remarkable remin!scenc noes
of which both men We're masters. When
Godfrey sold out to Tim Sullivan, Pleason-
ton transferred his companionship to him.
and until Sullivans death two years ago
the intimacy continued, Sullivan attending
to the generals affairs and being one of
the very few who ever saw him.
Acts of Charity.
At this time Gen Pleasonton was not
well off in worldly sense and lived on an
allowance from his family. Three or four
years ago. however, he came into very
handsome competency by the death of u
brother and two sisters, but in no wise
changed his mode of life. He began, how
ever, to devote himself to acts of charity,
and his sole occupation was in finding
needy persons whom he could assist. No
publicity was ever given to his acts Of
Kindness and the only time his name has
couple of weeks ago, when in the pub
lshed list of subscribers to a charitable
fund as alfred Pleasonton, $50"
His only visitor in the recent past was
the wife of Gen. Gibson of the army, VINO
was his DEVOTED friend. On his seventy
third birthday, which fell on the 9TH of
January last, Mrs. Gibson brought him a
bunch of flowers, and he was overjoyed al
this sweet remembrance of the anniver-
sary.
The faded remnants of the flowers were
on the table in the room whSre he died
this morning. Once in while he would
Itc.,n
out to all others, except those mentioned
and the members of the Greason family
to whom he was devotedly attached ne
denied himself. His secluson did not
sour him in his Intercourse with those dear
TO him. He was usually bright and enter
tanning, and never Wearied talking over
his army experiences. being especially fond
of reciting those with humorous tame His
fund of personal stories about the famous
men he had served with was immense, and
CT them all he seemed to regard Harney
OF the I'd Dragoons as the best soldier and
the best friend he ever knew.
Characteristic Incident.
If there was one thing that Pieasonton
hated worse than another it was to near
some one revile the men of the south for
the part they took in the rebellion He
had fought them hard as any one and
while rot admitting the right or justice
of their course, had learned to respect
theiI bravery ana nOnor and their c0ur-
age. One night in Godfrey's saloon, or
early one morning, for it was an all
night house, a man came in and proce ed
ed to attack the character and courage of
the southern soldiers. Pleasonton looked
at him and gave a start of recognition
Arising from his chair he asked If the man
knew him. The stranger said he did not
Il am Alfred Pleasonton." responded the
general. Il had you drummed out of my
camp for cowardice before Antietam. Get
out of this place, SIR
The man hung his head and hurried out
Gen Pleasonton has been in poor health
Tor several years. and Henrietta Rowan
had been his faithful nurse ever since Miss
Alice Greason. who had attended him like
daughter married Mr.. James McCready,
six years ago. His ear drums had been
shattered by cannon explosion during
the war. and caused him great pain, so
that his head and ears had to be dressed
each night with soothing ointment.
His Last Illness.
About four weeks ago in removing the
ointment he was chilled. and caught a Sc
we're cold, which developed into the grip.
He had no physician. but on his condition
growing worse DIR. Lincoln was called in.
The disease, coupled with dropsy, could not
be overcome however, and yesterday he
passed a very bad day. He was quiet dur
ing the evening, however. and there were
hopes that he was getting better. He went
to sleep about o'clock, and passed away
peacefully in his Slumber an hour later.
Mr.. Murphy telegraphed this morning to
the nephews and nieces of the dead man,
and the arrangements for the funeral will
be made when they are heard from.
Gen. PleasontOn was a man of strong re-
Egious convictions, and Sunday night talk
ed for q long time with his. colored nurse
a woman of admirable qualities and an un-
usually bright mind for one in her position
over his faith in the Almighty and his
gratitude for all His mercy. He expressed
his conviction that his end was near and
seemed happy to think his sufferings would
be soon over.
Regret mt the Wnr Department..
Adjutant General Ruggles was officially
informed of the death Of the great cavalry