The Green Forest tribune., 1913-04-04


 social fSrcles, a member of clubs and organizations of recognized prom 1 thence and was noted for his execu- tive ability and scientific attainments, He was 6 scholar of ability and of wide reading. He had been a profes- sor at the naval academy and had written interestingly on both histor- ical and technical subjects. Became "Town Character" | That was one side of the man. The other showed him living almost iso- lated on a back road in the country. l With no near neighbors and only an occasional visitor he went his way unmindful of any but his own con- cerns. Any day he might be seen wandering about his place in rough clothes and overalls, doing the work of farm helper.
 From being one of the most looked up-to personages in the community he became little by little hardly more than a town character" His strange methods of life. his pecularities or personality, and his domestic difficult ties made him the object of eager gossip. His past was often forgotten, but his present was keenly remem- bered
 During the week before he had ly in robust health. He had been about his house and grounds or pot tering as usual among his hens. Then came the announcement of his death, death strangely in keeping with the oddness of his latter days.
 Secrecy Follows Death Report.
 Just what happened has been made matter of secrecy by those who have investigated the circumstances. There was, however, something about the death which caused the authorities to become immediately active. Medical Examiner Osgood of Rockland at once got in touch with the officers of the state police, following an autopsy.
 Scarcely less remarkable than the lonely death of this once honored nav al commander was his lonesome and pathetic burial. Probably no other officer of high rank in the service of the United States was ever laid at rest with so little regard to his past achievements.
 Not a single brother-in-arms of this veteran sailor, who had given nearly | 40 years of his life to his country from the time he served as a middy under Farragut until he retired rear admiral, was present to signify love and regard None of the bluejackets, none of the marines who had fought with him and done his bidding were anywhere to be seen.
 There had been a simple funeral service at the Assinippi home which was attended only by the family and scattering of neighbors and then the body was taken to Lowell for bur ial at Dracut, beside that of his first wife and daughter who had died many years ago. Of all his friends and relatives, only his wife and one of his stepdaughters were present.
 Strange Scene in Cemetery.
 The rest of the little company that surrounded the grave were strangers. The scene was in an out-ofthe-way corner of Oaklawn cemetery in the town of Dracut. A hearse arrived, carriage containing the wife and daughter, and others containing the undertaken. his assistants, newspaper men and photographers made up the shabby cortege.
 Then came the saddest incident of all in a sad day. The wife and daugh ter remained in the carriage looking girl Wept quietly. The hearse drew up but there was nobody ready to move the easket. The need of pall-bearers had been forgotten.
 After a moment of uncertainty the undertaken called to the driver of the hearse and hackman. As they stepped forward a newspaper man and a photographer offered to help. These four, with the undertaken, and his as sistant, bore the body to the grave side
 There was another pause and then it was discovered that the usual slings by which a coffin is lowered were missing. While the little company Of strangers looked on in a silence, punctured only by the clicking of cam eras the driver of the hearse unfas- tened his reins, looped them beneath the plain pine casket and at a sign from the undertaken the casket slid at last from sight. No prayer was of- fered and no word of condolence spoken. Without more ado the watch CTS turned and filed into their car riages.
 Made No Effort to Hold Friends.
 That was the last episode of bi- zarre chapter of incidents which made up Rear Admiral Eatons peculiarly changing life since his retirement from the navy. Never had there been more striking transition from high dignities, respect and social recogni- ton to neglect, disregard and practi- cal ostracism
 The change, however, was .ot ab- rupt. It came little by little with the passing years. It was due in large measure to Eaton himself and the manner which he had chosen to live. If his friends fell away, it was be- cause he made no effort to hold them. If his position in the social world altered it was because of the sensa- tional incidents with which his name 1 had been linked and his contempt for i conventions
 Rear Admiral Eaton was by no means a shattered and out-worn man when he retired from the navy. To l be sure he was fifty-seven years old