The National tribune., 1902-08-07
DEATH OF PAST coMMANDER-IN-cHIEF
VAN DER WORT.

| Inc sad intelligence comes from Guns
of the death in Puerto Principe July ,!
of Past Commander-in-C Chief Paul Val
| Der WORT. This was an untimely endin:
of his career, for COmrade Van Der VoOr
was comparatively young man. having
been born in 1916. He went to Cubs
soon after the island came into our pos
session, and was prominently connected
| with scheme to coonize the island will
Americans. He was one of the direc
| tors IN the Cuba Land 4 Steamship Co.
which attempted to establish a colony
miles east of Neuvitas. This proving
somewhat of Il failure. owing to the mis-
mana cement of some of his associates
he returned to this country, but went
back to Cuba last year to look after d
small plantation he owned near La Clio,
ria. Proximity to the coast brought on
his old enemy-the asthma, and he re-
moved to Puerto Principe, where he en-
gagged in land selling. He had frequent
attacks Of diseases due to his army ser
vice, and SO was more or less of an in
valid for several years.
Paul Van Der WORT was n warm-heart-
ed, genial. lovable man, with host of
friends III and outside of the Grand Army
of the Republic. He was strictly upright,
a true friend, devoted to his family, and
true 10 his convictions. He was an orator
Of force and magnetism, and tireless
worker for the Grand Army of the Re
public.
Commander-in-C Chief Torrance has is
sued the following general order in regard
TO the bereavement of the G.. \. R.:
The Commander-in-Chief announces
with sorrow the death of Comrade Paul
Van Der WORT, Past COmmander-in-C Chief
of the Grand Army of the Republic, which
occurred at Puerto Principe, Cuba, on the
18th of July, 1902, from paralysis of the
heart. He was born i'll the State of Ohio
in 1916, and enlisted in the 6Sth Ill. be-
fore he was IL years of age. He rc-enlist-
ed in Co. NJ, 10th Ill. Cav, and served in
the Ninth and Twenty-third Corps, and
in the Cavalry Corps of the Military Di-
vision of the Mississippi. He was pris-
oner of war and confined in Andersonyille
and other Southern prisons for almost a
year. He was discharged as Sergeant
Aug. 1, 1865, by reason of the close of the
war. He joined the Grand Army of the
Republic in 1866 in Illinois, and was As
sistant Adjutant-General of that Depart
ment under Comrade II. III. Hilliard,
which office he resigned in February, 1874,
by reason of change of residence to
Omaha, Neb. In August following he was
appointed Provisional Commander of the
Department of Nebraska. and on the re
organization of the Department in 1877
was elected Department Commander. In
1878 he was chosen Senior Vice Com
mander-in- Chief, and Commander-in-C Chief
in 1889. His administration as Comman-
der-in-C Chief was eminently successful. and
marked a new era in the growth and his
tory of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. More members were received into
the Order during his administration than
that of any of his predecessors or sue
cessors in office. The Seventeenth Nation
al Encampment, which met at Denver,
Colo. in 1888, paid him the following just
tribute:
1--WE in no wise detract from his hon
ored predecessors, who planted the seed
and nurtured the plant through its tender
growth until it became established in
strength, when we say that his labors
have been more abundant and the har-
vest greater than in any previous year.
His enthusiasm in all that pertains to the
Grand Army, his untiring industry and
zeal, his personal magnetism and elo-
quence command the admiration of his
comrades everywhere, and if initiated by
his Successors will surely conduct them
on the road to success"
He enjoyed the great distinction Of be-
ing the only member of the Grand Army of
the Republic elected to honorary member
ship in the Woman's Relief Corps. This
honor was bestowed upon him in CRATE
full recognition of his successful efforts
by which the Woman's Relief Corps be-
came auxiliary to the Grand Army of the
Republic. He will be greatly mOurned
for he was greatly loved, and to the be-
reaved family is extended the tender SYM
pathy of many soldier hearts. While the
worker departs his work abideth and its
beauty and utility become more apparent
as we stand in the shadow Of this new be-