The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-21
GEN. GEORGE ". MINDIL DEAD
Just As A VINDICATION SEEMED
TO BE AT HAND.
Phil kearny's star Orncer Was Dismissed
From the Treasury Service by Secretary
shaw Last INaI N His Health Had
Been Failing sincc-Scrylces I'm the War

stAa
Cen. George W. Mindil. for many years
chief examiner OF precious stones ut the
port OF New York died early yesterday
morning at his home in Graham Court,
10th street and Seventh avenue. OF acute
Bright's disease. He would have been 90
years old next month.
Gen. Mindil was born in Frankfort,
Germany. and was brought 10 this country
when he was o years old. His father
went into the jewelry business at Phia-
delphia. At the outbreak Of the OWL
war the son. then II years Of age, went
TO the front as a First Lieutenant. The
enlistment period Of the New Jersey reg
iment Of which he became Colonel expired
Just before the battle Of Gettysburg.
Hearing that men would be needed in
the crisis which was approaching, Col.
Mindil persuaded his men 70 stay In the
service. and volunteered his services and
theirs in q telegram to President Lincoln.
He was not quite 81 at the time. For this
service he received a medal Of honor from
Congress, inc when he had arrived at his
majority was brevetted Brigadier-G General.
When his regiment was finally mustered
out after Gettysburg. Gen. Mindil raised
dnOluCT ICkiiLCht wltAun tWShty d0y0t ~ ~
said, and reported with it at Washington. He
received a second medal Of honor for con-
spicuous bravery in leading h decisive
charge in the battle Of Williamsburg.
When the war ended he was a Brigadier
and brevet Major General. the youngest
TO attain that rank in the war. He was
at one time Gen. Phil Kearny's chief Of staff
and was with that General at his death.
At the age Of 20 he married Miss Lippin-
colt of Philadelphia, by whom he had two
children, Philip Mindil, and a daughter.
Mrs. S. Y. Pang OF Brooklyn. Mrs. Mindil
died thirteen years ago. n two years
later the General married Caroline B.
Sheafer of Harrisburg. Pa.
Gen. Mindil removed to Brooklyn from
Philadelphia in 1888, and after the death
Of his first wife changed his residence
TO New York. After representing certain
large jewelry houses for some years he
received his appointment in the Custom
House. He held the place for eleven years.
moved by Secretary Shaw on a charge Of
collision with one Eduard Van Dam. an
importer, in the differentiation OF a GER
tain consignment of precious stones.
Chief Examiner Mindn was on his vaca-
ton at the time Of the incident and the
ants. William b. Treadwell. Mr.. Van Dam
protested that a mistake had been made
by his clerk in Amsterdam, who had in
cluded the wrong invoice with the ship
ment. Mr.. Van Dam paid $4,000 in
penalties.
Since his dismissal friends Of Gen. Mindil
have been striving. to have him reinstated,
insisting that his dismissal was the result
Of hasty investigation. Another investiga-
ton Of the matter was set on loot by the
nap,rtpoa,, AZ cha rorpAat ~ annAara ~
Mr.. Van Dam. Ex-senator George W.
Brush. a friend Of Gen. Mindil. said yester-
day that this second investigation had re-
suited in the complete vindication OF Gen.
Mindil. Mr.. Brush said.
1T is a sad commentary on the short
memories Of republics that a shameful and
outra geous injustice has been done to the
General in the last few months by his sum-
mary removal from the position OF Assistant
Appraiser in the CuStom House by the pre-
cipitate and overzealous action OF Secretary
Shaw previous TO his retirement from the
position Of Secretary OF the Treasury, the
examination made in the case being wholly
ex parte and without any opportunity OF
the General 10 present his side OF the cas-
before final action. BY a recent report Of
charge upon which he was removed was
without any proper foundation in fact.
and inspired by the petty ~jealousies Of
subordinates. Had he lived a few days
longer he would undoubtedly have been
reinstated and entirely indicated. The
great injustice done him by the repre-
sentative Of the Government, who ought
TO have given him at least fair considera-
ton in view of his record and OF his gallant
and faithful service to his country. preyed
upon his sensitive nature and was a potent
factor in developing the disease which
shortened his life"
The report referred TO has been filed in
Washington and the matter will not be
allowed to drop.