The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-28

tack of lagrippe. and Mr.. Morton was in
a hospital for some time. When he was
able to do so, he returned to his home in
this city, where he suffered a relapse Aft
er partial recovery he left, early in
March, for the City of Mexico, expecting
to restore his health. During his stay in
the Southern country a disease of the
bronchial arteries developed, and he re-
turned north. He suffered severely on
the return journey and reached his home
with his general health much impaired
Three weeks ago Mr.. Morton returned TO
Chicago in the hope of securing the serv-
ices of a specialist. The condition of his
throat again became aggravated, and
week ago he suffered an attack of apo-
plexy. From this last attack he rallied but
little. His immediate death, however. ac-
cording to DR.. CHM, his local physician.
was due to an Inflammation of the bron-
chial arteries"
julius Sterling Morton was born in the
town of Adams. Jefferson county, New
York, April % 1892 He received his edu-
cation at Monroe, Mich the University
of Michigan and Union College of New
York. graduating from the latter institu-
tion in 1894. Soon after completing his e1u-
cation young Morton moved to a farm
near Nebraska City. in Nebraska Territory
afterwards State) where he practiced
agriculture for many years Perhaps the
first public distinction gained by him was
as the originator of Arbor day which is
now observed annually in many States of
the Union, particularly those of the middle
West.
In 1858 Mr.. Morton became secretary of
the Territory of Nebraska, and soon after
wards was acting Governor of the Terri
tory. He served with credit in the Legis-
lature of Nebraska Territory and was hot n
an original member and president of the
Board of Agriculture and Territorial Hor-
ticultural Society. He later became Dresi-
dent of the American Forestry Association
In 1898 President Cleveland honored Mr..
Morton with the portfolio of agriculture
which he held until Mr.. Cleveand's retire
ment in 1891 In the stirring times of cur
rency agitation. from 1896 TO 1900 inclusive
Mr. Morton was figure of national nronn-
inence on account of his valiant Champion
ship of the cause of sound money. He was
allied with the Gold Democrats from the
of his death. The latter years of Mr. Nor
tons life were spent in the arduous duties
Of a newspaper editor. his paper being
the Conservative, published at Nebraska
city.
Mr. Morton was man of steadfast con-
victions answering honesty and undoubt-
ed ability by nature controversalst,
he went into Mr.. Cleveland's Cabinet with
many fixed ideas about the government
service. He was practical farmer and ran
his department along practical lines but,
nevertheless. not without many souabbles
lie regarded the distribution OF seeds as
paternalistic. and on that subject found
himself In opposition 10 Congress- As has
been stated, the ex-secretary was the
founder of Arbor day. April -. which be-
gar 10 be observed generally during his
incumbency as head of the Department of
Agriculture. His constant motto was to
plant trees having IL stamped In large
letters under a picture OF a tree on his
stationery He was an inveterate letter
writer. He found keen enjoyment in an