New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-10
LIE VALLEYS DEATH AND BURIAL.
AUTHORITIES AT KEY WEST. THINKING II
CASE OF YELLOW FEVER, REFUSED TO AL
low THE BODY TO BE BROUGHT HOME.

AUTHORITIES AT KEY WEST. THINKING IT
CASE OF YELLOW FEVER, REFUSED TO AL
LOW THE BODY TO BE BROUGHT HOME.
Tine unexpected death Of Thomas C. lie Valley.
member OF the 1st Battalion. New-York Naval Re
serves while in service In Southern waters. pre-
sents certain unusual circumstances which nave
brought deepest sorrow 10 the young sailor FANNY
and friends. lie Valley was fne-looking strong
healthy man, and his work IN the numerous en-
gagements IN, which the Yankee took part received
high commeri dation from both the officers and the
men OF the vessel Complaining OF not feeling well
lie Valley came under the careful attention OF Dr.
MCGOWAN the ships surgeon. He reported 10
Commander Btonson that an operation for appen-
dicits was necessary IN order to save the patients
life When the Yankee arrived at Key WeSt on
Monday. June a. three days sooner than she had
been expected. lie Valley removed 20 the Gov
eminent hospital. where an operation was SUCCESS
fully performed. His condition was looked upon as
most satisfactory. but on June 30 ne grew worse.
and he died on July l.
Lieutenant Barnard Of the Yankee. at once sent
word by telegraph 10 the young mans father
Darius lie Valley. Of White Plains. and sent long
letter explaining everything In detail Mt lie
Valley at once teegraphed instructions 10 have the
body OF his son embalmed and forwarded to his
home for burial. To his great grief and sorrow he
received advces that the heath authorities at Key
West had decided that the case was one OF yellow
fever. and that his boy had been buried mere ca. a.,
forbidden TO come shore. In spite OF every e.
fort Of Commander Bronson and the comrades OF
young lie Valley 10 make arrangements to bring
his body home with the ship, which was under
o.aers from Washington TO proceed at once TO New
York. The officers OF the Yankee offered TO FUR
nish a metal-lincd caske;, which could be hermet-
ically sealed. and to conform with any rules that
might be laid down. but TO no avail and The yam
kee was obliged sail without being aole to carry
out the urgent request which the father had made.
Besides the letter from Lieutenant Barnard.
which states fully the particulars OF the operation
for appendicitis. Mr.. lie Valley learned additional
details from Dr.. McCiowan the arrival o. the
Yankee at this port. Or. Mc(iowan told him that
after the bombardment Of June % young lie Valley
had complained OF much pain. and he had put min,
on the sick list. AM had given his case thorough
study with the result that ne had pronounced IL a
case Of appendicitis beyond any reasonable DOUBT.
He had had him transferred 70 the hospital at Key
West. where the operation had been performed by
Major Hall. the surgeon.
On arriving at New-York the men Of the Yankee
In the course Of time. given shore privileges
and most Of them have been In the city There
has been no sign of any yellow fever among them
Mr. LIE Valley feels deeply the hard conditions which
NAV make Il Impossible for him 10 BRING on the
- body OF his son until after The frosts In fall In
view of the evidence given b. the officers and ere"
Of the Yankee. he says he cannot understand the
action OF the Key West authorities II was
enough 10 lose the 50 dear TO him without
ever seeing his face again. But Tor the action oi
health officials tho body might have been brought
home Not only the family OF young lie Valley
but also the officers and men Of the Naval Reserve
are much aroused over the case.