Evening star., 1898-12-19
FAITHFUL CLERKS DEATH
David E. Holmes Contracts Fatal Disabilities
During War With Spain.
His Decease the Subject of n General
Order From Adjutant Gem
eral COrbin.

Mr.. David E. Holmes, one of the Oldest
clerks in the office of the adjutant general, |,
in the War Department, died at his home,
1624 9Th street, about 10 o'clock last night,
from an attack of heart disease, brought
on by excessive and continual work during
the Spanish war. He relinquished his regu-
lar leave of absence during the summer in
the interests of the service, but his health
gave way about month ago and he was
compelled to seek rest at Atlantic City. He
remained there about a week or ten days
and seemed benefited by the change. Last
Tuesday he visited the office and said that
although feeling better he had concluded
not to return to work until his leave expir-
ed next Tuesday. Friday night he suffered
a serious relapse and fell into a semi-un-
conscious condition, from which it was i'm
possible to arouse him, and he passed away
last night.
He was one of the best and most consci-
entious clerks in the War Department. and
was liked and admired by all who knew
him. His sudden death was a subject of
universal regret among his associates at
the department today. Born in Pennsyl-
vania, he went, at an early age to Morgan
town, w. Va, and made that place his
home.
Veteran of Civil War.
AT the outbreak of the civil war he en-
listed in the Sd West Virginia Volunteer
Cavalry, and served with it creditably for
three years. In April, 1864 he was ap-
pointed clerk of class 1 in the adjutant
generals office, and served there continu-
ously up to the time of his death He went
through the various grades until July l.
1919, when he became a clerk of class 4,
acting successfully as chief of the CORES
pohdence division and then as chief of the
mail and record division.
He was in his sixty-first year and leaves
a widow, but no children.
HIS friends in West Virginia were advised
by telegraph of his death, and either q
brother of Mrs. Holmes or Prof Hlte of
the west Virginia University, at Morgan
town, will arrive this evening to take
charge of the funeral ARRANGEMENTS The
lhterment Will be at Morgantown.
Adjutant Generals Order
His death was made the subject of a gen.
eral order by the adjutant general of the
army, course almost without precedent in
the history of the civil establishment of the
War Department. The order is as follows:
1T is with sincere sorrow that the adju-
tant general announces to the office the
edath, on the 18th instant, of Mr. David E.
Holmes, for many years chief of an import
ant division and one of the Oldest and most
valued clerks of this office.
Enilstng, June 2. 1861, in the Sd West
Virginia Volunteers afterwards the 9th
West Virginia Cavalry, he served faithful
ly unit! January 6, 18Th when he was dis
charged having, since October . of the pre-
cedlng year, been detailed for clerical duty
IN the adJutant generals office.
April ], 1864, he was appointed to a
cierkshio of class l and his general eff
cheney, zeal and industry gained him rapid
promotion and July l, 1874, he was pro-
NOTED TO class ", the grade he held at the
date of his death.
Correct in department and exemplary in
habits, Mr.. Holmes during long service
OF over thlrty-tve years, won. as he high
ly deserved, the confidence of his Superiors
the respect of all his associates and leaves
behind him an example worthy of imita-
ton. His indomitable energy and devotion
to duty were never more forcibly displayed
than during the past nine months and his
absolute disregard of self by weakening
strong vitality, left him an easy prey to
the disease which terminated his life.
tSigned) H c. CORBIN
"Adjutant General