The Red Cloud chief., 1902-05-02
MORTON IS DEAD
Sage OF Arbor Lodge Dies After
Brief Illness.
skS THE FOUNDER OF "ARBOR DAY.
A Prominent Figure In the History of
the S~tate-News Of His Death,
Though II Was Expected. shock.
His Many Friends.

J. Sterling Morton Of Nebraska City.
Neb., died Sunday, April 81, at the resi-
dence of his sol Mark Morton, at Lake
Forest. III. His three sons, Mark, Paul
and JOY Morton. with their families,
were at the bedside Of their father
when the end came. His physicians,
DrS. Haven of Lake Forest and Henry
Is. Favill of hCicaEo. were in almost
constant attendance on their patient
during the last few days, although they
and the family were fully aware that
there was no hope of his recovery.
Secretary Morton's illness dates from
last November, when he contracted "A
severe cold while speaking at Chicago.
The cold ran into al attack of grippe,
and Mr.. Morton was in Il hospital for
several weeks.
When he was able to travel he re-
turned to his home in Nebraska City,
where he suffered a relapse. After a
partial recovery he went To the CITY
OF Mexico, expecting that his health
would be restored. During his stay
in the south he was attacked with a
disease of the bronchial arteries and
he returned to his home at once. He
suffered severely on the return Journey
and arrived home his health very much
impaired.
Three weeks ago Mr.. Morton came
to Chicago for the purpose of consult
ing a specialist. a week ago. while
at the home of his son at Lake For
est, he was stricken with apopleyy.
He rallied little after this attack and
gradually sank until the end.
Arrangements for the funeral have
been completed. There will be a SER
vice at Lake Forest tuesday afternoon
at 2 o'clock. the Northwestern road
running a special train for the con-
venicnCe Of those who wish tn attend
from the city. In the evening. the
remains will be taken 10 Nebraska CITY
and at . O'Clock Wednesday the final
services and the intermcut will take
place.
julius Sterling Morton had been one
OF the foremost democrats of the ma
ION for nearly half q century. His
first official position was given him by
President Buchanan. in 1858. that of
secretary of the territory of Nebraska.
His last Office was that of secretary of
agriculture in the last administration
of President Cleveland. from 1899 to
1897, All his life he had been a farmer
and had been q leader in the upbuild-
ing of every line OF agriculture. 1t
was he who originated "ArbGr day"
which has become an annual festival
throughout the western prairie states.
II Mr.. Morton had the choice he would
rather be remembered in connection
with that anniversary than for any
thing else he eve accomplished. Even
on his bookmark was the motto Plant
Trees"
During his college days Mr.. Morton
became a contributor 10 the Detroit
Free Press and later he wrote for the
Chicago Times in the days when that
paper occupied its most prominent
position under Mr.. Story. The news
paper experience he acquired at that
time served him well in after years.
Although little known in the east
up to the time that Mr.. Cleveland ap-
pointed him to the department of agri-
culture, he at once took front rank
among the agriculturists in the coun-
try and became the exponent of many
reforms in farming that have served
to rcvolutioni2e the industry.
Mr.. Morton's wife, TO whom he was
married in Michigan in 1854, died at
mis- home, 'Arbor Lodge" in 1881. She
was Miss Caroline JOY French of De-
troit. His three sons-Mark. Paul and
Joy-all of whom live in Chicago. oc-
u p high social and business positions
In the community.