The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-13


illness of seven days.
While returning from the polls last
Tuesday. Gen. Shafter contracted a severe
chill, which augmented n slight indisposi-
tion aud necessitated confinement to his
bed
Dr r. W. Mitchell, the family physician.
was summoned. The patient failed To Inn
prove and Or. A. Schafer was called for
consultation Intestinal obstruction was
discovered. but IL was determined that
this was secondary afflction. brought
on by an acute attack OF pneumonia.
Wednesday and Thursday no improve
ment was noticed and Friday afternoon
Dr l. w. Thorne OF San Francisco was
summoned in DR.. Herzstein's place. DIR.
Thorne arrived early Saturday morning
and, together with the local physicians,
diligently watched the patient.
In the afternoon a slight rally was de-
tected and relatives and physicians were
extremely hopeful. but the change was
short lived. Al 10 o'clock sinking spell
seized the veteran Or. Herzstein arrived
shortly after midnight Sunday morning
and after being hurriedly driven TO the
generals side held consultation with
the other physician.
n is eaid that Or. Herzstein deemed an
operation the only means OF relief from
the intestinal obstruction, but the condi-
ton OF the patient would forecast nothing
but fatal results.
DOilohS ~ 1iN II -
DR. Herzstein. accompanied by Ut.
Thorne returned TO San Francisco, all
hope OF saving Gen. Skaters life having
been abandoned The patient was left IN
charge OF DR. Mitchell and the battle
against odds continued.
Throughout IL all the veteran bore up
bravely. Cheerful and hopeful, though
fully cognizant OF his critical condition,
the general remained conscious until
O'Clock yesterday morning. Pure oxygen
sent from San Francisco. performed
great work I'm keeping life up, but aiter
midnight and early this morning con-
stant weakening was discerned. Dr.
Mitchell and the trained nurses labored
untiringly, but the general lapsed into un-
consciousness at 3 o'clock and remained
in that condition until death. Capt. ana
Mrs McKittrick. the general son-lh-la"
and daughter: Miss Edmunds. a niece.
and James ~ Shafter. a brother were at
the bedside when the end came. Nothing
has been given out yet for publication
concerning the funeral arrangements
but IL Is presumed that the body VIII De
taken TO San Francisco for interment with
military honors.
CAREER OF GEN. sHAFTER.
William Rufus 'Shafter. retired, was
born al Valesburg. Mich. Oct. l6. 1885.
and was considered son Of the state or
Michigan. when he was selected TO COM
nnand the army corps, which consututeu
the first expedition 10 Cuba In the Spanish
war. and which brought about the surren-
der OF Santiago and the downfali OF tne
Spanish power I'm America and ASIA Ills
parents were Hugh NJ. and Eliza tSum-
mer) Shafter.
His father a farmer saw that he had as
good an education as the son or a not
over-well-to pioneer I'm the young
West could have, and until a few years
before the Civil War the future soldier
A
an opportunity 10 teach sc lool and was
successfully employed as a teacher for
the years 1889 1850 and the early part OF
When the war broke out first lieuten-
sncy in the Seventh Michigan volunteers
was offered TO young Shaftcr. lie went
TO the front with his regiment, and win IL
fought through the Peninsular campaign,
his regiment being a part of Gen. Dana :
brigade He was advanced IN rank rapid
ly and at the Battle OF Seven Pines tr
Fair oaks won matorship Tor gallant
service In this battle Gen. summer, Win
Sedgwick's division, arriving on the heid
at A critical moment. ordered tve reSl-
mcnts. including Gen. Skaters, to charge
the enemy's line i'm the face of terrible
fre The command was obeycd with such
vigor that although the advancing troops
had to climb over two fences. they reach
cd their goal. driving the opposing force
I'm confusion from lts poSition'
APPOINTED TO HIGHER GRADE.
In 1862 Gen. shafter was appointed ma
ior in the Nineteenth Michigan Volun-
teers. I'm 1863 lieutenant colonel, In 1861
colonel OF the Seventeenth United states
colorcd infantry and in 1865 was muster
ed out OF the volunteer service after he
ing breveted n brigadier general In 1861
he applied for admission 10 the regular
army. and was granted II, with the rank
OF lieutenant colonel. In 1869 he was as
signed 10 the Tweuty-fourth United
states infantry. from which he was soon
transferred 10 the First United States In
fantIy.
In 1897 hs was appointed a brigadier
general by President Mckinley. succeed
ing Brig. Gen. Carr. retired. Ills assign
ment I'm this rank was to the Department
OF California where he was stationed, in
the city of san Francisco, when the Span
LSh war broke out.
ike most OF the other army officers,
not quickly engaged for the Philippine
service Con. Shafter was summoned 20
washington Soon after arriving there he
was appointed 20 command the corps
which was designated for the capture Of
Santiago. At the time 1t was urged that
his assignment 10 this position was due
TO the then secretary OF war. Alger, who
was from Michigan. As events developed
the poor administration Of the war de-
nartmcut and the CllllClSeu Vuan'N W
Gen Shafter's service with the Santiago
expedition placed the selection Of the
general In the class Of those things which
according to popular view, should not
have been
It's a fact. though, that Gen. Shafter
had as good record as any officer
then I'm the service. that OF the older
officers he was one OF the few who
could speak Spanish. not an inconsider-
able point. and that he was although
very large man and nearing the age
OF retirement. IN vigorous health. and
of n very muscular development. which
has served him we'll while he was a
colonel I'm tho sos. looking after the
Indians on the Rio Grande and In
Arizona. which duties had given him
sub-tropical training FOR seasoned
campaign work I'm a hot region.
IN THE SPANISH WAR.
The expedition landed near santiago
June 2i. ises In spite OF the fact that
the commander in chief was not wholly
prepared TO meet the defence which the