Evening star., 1899-02-06

Garfield Hospital, where it was thought
better treatment could be secured. His
wife and son William We're telegraphed for
and Immediately came on to Washington,
remaining here until the end. The COM
mander was thought to be improving, but
late Friday afternoon it was discovered
his brain was affected. Then all hope of
recovery vanished. Col. Sexton lapsed into
Inconsistencies and remained in tnis con-
dition up to the time of his decease.
Conveyed to Chicago.
Mrs. Sexton and her son left for Chicago
on the train bearing the remains of the
allant veteran, who had been honored with
the highest office al the gift of the soldiers
who served in the war of the rebellion.
They had watched faithfully at his bedside
since their arrival in Washington. The re-
mains were taken from the hospital short
y after q o'clock last evening, an escort
from the Grand Army having gathered
there prior to this time.
The casket was placed in a hearse and
the funeral party proceeded without delay
to the Pennsylvania station. The honorary
pall-bearars acting for the G. A. r. in this
city were Arthur Hendricks, department
commander of the G. A. R.; George b
Davis, A. H. G.. Richardson, George H.
Patrick, Representative ID. w. Mills OF chi
cagO and Z. A. Clifford. Fred. w. Spenk
quart rmaster general of the G. A. R., and
H. p. Thompson. assistant adjutant gen.
eral, together with William NJ. Smith of the
Loyal Legion, will have charge of the
funeral arrangements IN Chicago.
The floral tributes We're exquisite, and in
clUded a handsome wreath from the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley. Or. Conner and
the other members of the war Investigating
commission sent pretty floral designs, and
called at the hospital during the day to ex-
press their sympathy. All of the m mbers
of the commission were present at the
depot last night to pay a last honor to
their associate.
Special Order Issued.
Commander Hendricks of the Department
of the Potomac G. A. r., issued a special
| order to the comrades of the department
yesterday afternoon. in which he pays the
following tribute to Col Sexton:
Words fail to express our feelings of EOr-
row at the death of the commander-in in
chief of the Grand Army of the Republic,
Gen. James A. Sexton, who died in this
city on Sunday morning, the 9TH instant.
gallant soldier, and endowed with all
| the qualities which make a good and useful
| citizen, he possessed the love and esteem Of
| all those with whom he had been asso-
Ciated, and We cannot but regard his death
as an irreparable loss.
He rose to prominence In our order be-
cause of his sterling worth and his sincere
| interest in the welfare of his comrades and
OF our organization. As result of his as
signment to important duties in Washing
ton, this department has been enabled to
profit by his kindly counsel and advice, and
thus we find this loss one that appeals par
ticularly to US. The comrades of this de-
partment proffer to the widow and children
of our late commander the tendereSt SYM
pathy and coincidence, and commend them
TO the loving care of the Commander Of
AL
Col. Sexton's Career.
Col. James A. Sexton was born in Chi
| caEo January s. 1874. He enlisted as pri-
vate IN the 10Th Illinois April 10, 1861, and
after three months service re-enlisted in
the 9th Illinois Volunteers, being commits
stoned as first lieutenant of Company E.
lie was subsequently transferred to the I'D
Illinois, and made captain of Company d.
He served in the Army of the Tennessee,
and participated in nearly all its campaigns,
sieges ard battles. He was commander of
the regiment in the battles of Columbia
Duck River, Spring HIN, Franklin and
MAJ hviIle and throughout the Nashville
campaign. In 1860 he was assigned to duty
on the staff of Maj. Gen. A. r. Smith com
| mandcr of the 10th Army Corps and re-
mained in tEat service until the close of the
var. AT the capture of the Spanish fort at
! Mobile, Ala, April 8, 1860, Col. Sexton had
| his left leg broken below the knee by a
piece of shell. He was also slightly
wounded at the battle of Franklin and
| painfully wounded at the battle of Nash
! Vile. He remained in Alabama for two
| years after the war. working a plantation
| which he had purchased near Montgomery.
| in business, founding the firm of j. A. & T.
| s. Sexton He was appointed postmas ter
| of Chicago by President Harrison in 1889,
| rcsigning on January 1, 1895.
| Col Sexton was an active worker In the
| Grand Army of the Republic the Military
| Order of the Loyal Legion and other soldier
| and army societies. He was past COM
| mander of the Department of the Illinois,
| G. A. r.. and had been a presidential cleo
| tor, park commissioner and colonel in the
| Illinois National Guard. At the last meet
| ing of the Grand Army OF the Republic he
| was elected commander-in-chief. and held
| this position at the time of his death as
| we'll as that Of a member of the board of
! commissioners appointed by the President
| to investigate the conduct of the Spanish
| war.
| Mr.. Bryan to- Speak