New-York tribune., 1903-04-07
MRS. PORTER DEAD.
Uffe of the American Ambassador
IN Paris Dies Suddenly.

- s,-sl 6-Mrs- Horace Porter, VIE OF
-, Porter. the United States Ambassador
ss-p died at O'Clock this afternoon OF conses
.,on Of the lungs. following a chill
-,e death of Mrs Porter came with great suo-
,.,ness making the shock TO the ambassador
o,,.- eo,-e-a General Porter Mrs. Porter's
..,e- General winslow. and the attending
r,ctans were at the bedside. Mrs. Porter
- s+ .he United States Embassy, In the life
:. which she had always taken leading part
-5.r death caused great surprise and sorrow
,o,ra,out the American colony The officials
= ,he embassy are doing everything possible
s. the circumstances 10 be OF service 10 the
D-.hassador. who is completely Frustrated. Sec
-.srv vignaud has taken active charge Of the
s,eral arrangements, but no definite plans
- ,-at been made. The ambassador had just
-.,overed from a severe attack OF the grip
Itch kept him confined TO the house for a
WITH and compelled him TO give up his
-,,s.~.ed trip 20 Greece which leads TO some
r.,.,5a concerning the effect the blow may
Aeve upon him.
Mrs. Porter had not been in robust health for
70 time and decided TO make stay in
1,-s,h. Switzerland. for rest and to recuperate-
oAa returned TO Paris last Tuesday considerably
.-,nroved. though retaining lingering symptoms
. .ha prevailing epidemic Of grip, but the doc
=, 5I5 not consider her condition serious. She
,rn-ovement continued during the middle OF
.,a day and even up to 4 o'clock this after
-, 4 sudden change for the worse was then
ass-ved and II became manifest that the con-
-.s-ian had attacked her lungs Mrs. Porter
s,nk rapidly until she expired an hour later
r4e various absent members OF the family were
.,sorrned by telegraph and cable. The only
s,ughter, Elsie. was in Germany, whittier she
,ed also gone on trip for the benefit of her
.eelth and the generals only son, Clarence
,,-.er. who is in New-York. was advised by
able Word was also communicated to the
american Government and TO the French au-
.so-sties The public announcement was made
tv Secretary Vignaud in brief statement Of
he facts
Nrs Porter was q member OF DR. Thurber's
prssbyterian Church. in the Rue de BeTri. which
e known as the American Church, and where
sbs funeral ceremonies will probably be held
nr Thurber called at the American Embassy
mis- evening TO express the condolences OF him
sslf and great number Of his parishioners, with
,houl Mrs. Porter had been brought into inti-
nate association. The final Details regarding
he funeral arrangements will not be decided
upOn until the arrival Of Miss Elsie Porter. who
g expected here tomorrow, but It is believed
+ouight that the funeral viii take place next
thursday. The body viii then be placed in the
-aortuary chapel until it is sent TO America,
should such a removal be finally determined
uron. but thus far no one in authority knows
definitely what course viii be adopted as TO the
1aal resting place
The news OF Mrs. Porter's death spread rapid
Y through the American colony. Few knew
thst she was Ill, and the announcement caused
q universal shock and deep feeling Of regret,
sri many expressions OF esteem were forthcOn-
.ug AT the public receptions OF the embassy
she has taken personal interest in entertain
tng the thrOngs Of American visitors. thus
dearing her throughout the American colony.
Dr. Thurber said that Mrs Porter had been
active in many branches Of the charitable work
ot the American Church Many expressions OF
esteem have also come from diplomatic and
oEscisl circles with which she had been brought
TITO constant association by the exacting social
requirements Of General Porter's high diplomatic
-snk
Mrs Horace Porier's maiden name was Sophie
McHs-S. She was a daughter OF John McEarg,
--o-rinent resident Of Albany and was born in Al
bsny. General Porter was army officer on duty
n the WatervIiet Arsenal here when he first
nst her and they were shortly afterward mar
red She was about sixty-two years old, at the
-tre of her death Two Of her brothers are John
r. NcHarg. Of Albany. who is at present in
IN f5FN Ne--- o-iE