The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-29

tho Army.
Washington, January 24.-United
States Senator Russell A. Alger died
suddenly at his residence in this city
at S:45 o'clock this morning following
an acute attack oft oedema OF the
lungs with which he was stricken
shortly after s o'clock. Although Sen
ator Alger had not been in good health
for some time. his death was ~unexpect-
ed. The Senator last night was appar-
emily in his usual health. During the
day he transacted considerable bust
ness and was at the war department
up TO a late hour yesterday afternoon.
At the bedside when he passed away
were Mrs. Alger and their son. Cap
tain F. III. Alger Inc wife.
Senator Alger attended the session
of the senate Tuesday and remained
in the chamber until about 4 O'Clock,
listening to the debate on the Browns
vile affair.
The news Of the death was at ones
.l.,.intcated to President Roosevelt
and Vice President Fairbanks.
The funeral services will be held AT
? o'clock Saturday afternoon at the
family residence in this city. The
BODY will be taken to Detroit, Mich. for
burial.
Senator Alger is survived by his
widow and five children, as follows.
Mrs. Charles b.. Pike. ii Chicago;
Mrs. II. 3 Sheldon. OF Detroit; Mrs.
w. NJ. E. Bailey, Of HarI isburg, Pa,
Russell A. Aiger, Jr., OF Detroit, who
is now in Florida; and Captain F. NJ.
Alger.
Although entitled by orny rcguld-
tons to a funeral escort composed OF
one regiment Of infantry. two troops
of cavalry and a battery Of field ar
tillery, the family OF General Alger
has decided that the escort here shall
be confined to a squadron of cavalry.
In Detroit the troops at Fort Wayn"
will furnish the escort.
The family Of the late senator arc
making efforts to cOmmur a with
Russell A. Alger, Jr.. who left JACK
sonviilc. Fla. yesterday for st, Au-
gustine il the naptha yacht Glenda.
When the president was informed
of Senator Ayers death he ADDRESSED
), a notc of coincidence - Mrs. AiSer
!, and accompanied it with "A floral Of
= fering.
. The formal announcement OF Sena-
I tor Ayers death was made To the
] army by Secretary Taft in the follow
l ing order:
, The secretary OF war announce
with deep sorrow the death Of the hon
orable Russell Alexander Aiger which
occurred on the oath instant at his
residence in this city.
General Alger was secretary on war
during the administration Of Presiden,
Mckinley from March ;. 1897 tO An
gust ], 1899, Il period during which
the administration Of the war depart
y ment was brought into great prom
nence through it's activities in connec-
ton with the war with Spain and the
military operations in the Philippine
that succeeded.
General Alger was patriotic. earnest
, and most devoted TO the Interests o.
'' the army. and especially oonsiderats
of the welfare OF enlisted men. He
; was a gentle, kindly man with gTea'
confidence in his friends and his as
sociates and was much beloved b. IN
subOrdinates.
He was the subject OF unjust crit!
cism because Of the country's lack o
;. preparedness for war when war came
although for this he was in no wis
% resonsible.
"As a mark Of respect To his mem
CRY it is ordered that the a g at al
II military post be displayed at hal
i mast on the day OF the funeral.
The session 81 the senate today wa
es held entirely with reference To tn
Is death of Senator Alger. Rev. DIR. Ed
III ward Everett Hale delivered a specia
Is PRAYER after which the reading OF III
y journal OF yesterday was interrupts
10 by Senator Burrows, who presente
resolutions expressing the regret an
sorrow OF the body al the sudde
o death, and providing for a special con
III mittee of IL senators to represent u
81 senate at the funeral and attend q
body To Detroit.
The resolution was agreed TO an
4 on motion OF Senator Burrows, IN
senafe Immediately. at 12.17 D.. m az