Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-28
!. STERLING MORTON.
Passing Of the Former Secretary of
Agriculture and Founder of Arbor
Day.

Agriculture and Founder OF Aroor
Day.
Chicago, April 2S.-J. Sterling Nor
ton, secretary of agriculture under the
last Cleveland administration, died
Yesterday afternoon at the residence
Of his son, Mark Morton, at Lake
Forest, Ill. 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
b. Favill Of this city, were in almost
constant attendance on their patient
during the last few days, altho 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
severe cold while speaking at the stock
show In Chicago. The cold ran into an
attack Of grip, and Mr.. Morton was IN
a hospital for several weeks. When he
was able to travel he returned to his
home at Nebraska City, where he suf-
fered q 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
& disease CT the bronchial arteries. and
he returned to his home at once. lie
suffered setveraly on the return journey
and reached his home with his health
very much impaired. Three weeks ago
Mr.. Morton came to Chicago for the
purpose OF consulting 81 specialist. A
week ago, while at the home OF his son
at Lake Forest, he was stricken with
poplexy. He rallied little after this
attack, ard gradually sank until the
end.
Arrangements for the funeral Were
complete last night There will be q
service at Lake Forest Tuesday after
noon at 2 o'clock. the Northwestern
road running a special train for the
convenience of those wishing to at
tend from the city. In the evening the
remains will be taken te' Nebraska City
and at o'clock Wednesday the final
services and the interment will take
place.
Of the foremost democrats Of the ma
ton for nearly half a century. His
| first official position WIS 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 administra-
tion of President Cleveland, from 1895
| to 1897.
All his life he had been farmer and
had been leader in the upbuilding OF
every line of agriculture. 1t was he
who originated "Arbor day." which has
become an annual festival thruout the
western prairie states. If Mr.. Morton
had the choice he would rather be re-
membered in connection with that an
niversary than for anything else te
ever accomplished. Even on his book
mark was the motto plant trees"
Mr.. Morgans public life practically
ended with his retirement from the
cabinet with President Cleveland. In
the Bryan campaign that Immediately
followed that administration Mr.. Nor
ton forsook the democrats and declared
himself for the gold standard, casting
his strength for the republican candi-
date.
Mr.. Morton's political services may
be forgotten by the present generation
and remain unknown to those who are
to come, but "Arbor day." bearing his
Inscription, PLANT trees" will be pc
rennial reminder that j. Sterling Nor
ton was born April %.