The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1913-12-10
DAVID d. GAILLARD
DIES IN BALTIMORE
Dug Culcbra Cut and Conquered
Panama Canal Slides. A Son Of
South Carolina.


Baltimore, Nd. December 5.-Liout
Col. david Duboso Gaillard, United
States army, who directed the engi-'
neering work in the Culebra Cut, a
division of the Panama Canal, died at
Johns Hopkins Hospital here tod3a
Lieut.. Col. Gaillard had been I "a
tient at the hospital since Augtf II
last, suffering from a growth ih&i6e
head, the result Of seven years ardu-
Gus labor in the tropical climate Of
the Canal Zone. He failed gradually
but steadily, and for the last two
months had been in {, state Of coma,
due to the pressure OF the cranial
growth upon the brain cells. The ply
sicians decided some time ago that an
operation was useless and might has
ten his death.
He is survived by his widow and a
son, Lieut. David P. Gaillard, United
States army. Both were at the bedside
when the end came.
Native Of South Carolina.
Lieut. Col. Gaillard was born at
Winnsboro, S. c., in 1854. He gradu-
ated from West Point Military Acade-
my in 1884 and since that time had
won many honors in the engineering
service. A bill was introduced in
Congress last month promoting him
to the rank Of colonel in recognition
Of his distinguished services which
eliminated in the great engineering
feat in the Culebra section Of the Pan
anna Canal.
When Culcbra Cut was flooded by
the blasting of Gamboa dixie on Octo-
Der 10 last Col. Gaillard lay uncon-
scious in his bed at the hospital here.
Due to Hard Work.
Col. Gaillard's death is the culmina-
tion Of breakdown incurred by long
hor..,s Of work and exposure in the Ca
MI Zone, where he pitted his skill as
an engineer against the shifting soil
OF Culebra Cut. To him had been
given the most difficult task in connec-
ton with the canals construction, to
master the landsides and quicksands
which extended for eight miles along
the line Of the Culcbra Cut
During the early years Of his contest
with the landslides Col Gaillard never
knew what morning was to bring
forth. Over night the mountains moved
and covered with their deposit the
tracks, and even the cars, which were
used to remove material. The Culcbra
Cut runs through the backbone OF the
American Continent. Gaillard dug in
domitably until hill after hill found
It's angle Of rcposc and he checked the
landslides save at Cucuracha and
points nearby. There the sliding was
persistent, but had visibly weakened,
when tho engineer was compelled to
stop his work and seek rest.
Saved Government Money.
For the greater period of his work
on the Isthnus Col. Gaillard was with
out chief assistant He wanted to
save money. He gave his attention
not only to tho great engineering prob
iciHS, puI 10 all the details or SnOYel
work, train work and drainage. He
checked up on the small things and
once it was computed that by his care
fuloversght he had saved the Gov
ernmcnt $17,0OO,0OO
Men who worked with him said that
he gave twelve hours of each day to
the Culcbra Cut. In addition he had
voice in all matters pertaining to
engineering work in the zone, to civil
administration and to the general con-
duct Of affairs. The hard work, the
nervous strain, the worry and the trop-
ical climate combined broke his health
at the hour Of his final triumph. There
was little left there to be done but
to remove the soft earth OF tho slide
at Cucuracha.
Final arrangements for the funeral
have not been made, but the intermont
Will take place In the National Gem
etery at Arlington on Monday after
noon. It is expected that the body will
be removed to Washington either to-
night or tomorrow.
Group and Cough Remedy.