The Washington times., 1915-04-06
curtis GUILD, ENVOY
AND DIPLOMAT, DEAD
Three-Time Governor of Bay
State Succumbs to Swift At
tack of Pneumonia.

BOSTON, April G.-Curtis Guild,
fifty-four. three times governor, and
former ambassador to Russia, died
early today of pneumonia at his home
He was stricken only last Friday.
The former ambassador went to Salem
last Thursday on business, and re-
turned with severe cold. Pneumonia
developed on Friday.
Yesterday morning Mr. Guild showed
slight Improvement, but last night suf-
fered . relapse and sank rapidly until
death claimed him this morning.
Had Newspaper Career.
Curtis Guild was born in Boston on
February 2, 1860. at which time his
father was publisher of the CONNER
cial Bulletin. The son decided to fol-
low in his fathers footsteps, and after
graduation from Harvard, in 1881 he
began work for the Bulletin. He started
at the bottom of the journalistic ladder
and for time did collecting at 81 a
week.
During his broadening newspaper ca
reeri he began to take interest in poll
tics and he soon showed marked apti-
tude as a public speaker. In 1895 he
presided at the Republican State con-
tention and was elected by acclamation
as a delegate at large to the st. Louis
convention. After the Presidential cam
paign was launched. Mr.. Guild toured
the West for the G.. O. p. ticket and was
occasionally pitted against William j..
Bryan, then making his first race tor
the PRESIDENCY.
Tho political career so begun. termi-
mated with Mr.. Guilds election three
times as governor of Massachusetts and
his selection as ambassador to Russia
for two years during the Administra-
ton of President Taft.
Mr. Guild was able to address an audi
ence with ease in several Languages
and had a reputation as a linguist. In
government and Geneva University, he
delivered an address in French at the
anniversary celebration of the birth of
John Calvin.
On Mexican Mission.
He represented the United States as
special ambassador TO Mexico in 1AlO
upon the celebration of the independ-
ence of Mexico. Here he made an ad-
dress in Spanish.
While governor of Massachusetts he
welcomed the Duke of the AbruzM in
italian, and surprised DISTINGUISHED
japanese visitors to Boston by speaking
to them in their own tongue.
In his earlier life Mr.. Guild desired an
army career, but his desire of West
Point was disapproved by his parents.
He was later identified with the State
militia of Massachusetts,, and became
brigadier general and inspector general
of rifle practice. In the war with Spain
Lee. with the rank of lieutenant colonel,
and as inspector general of the Seventh
Army Corps.
An instance showing the conscien-
tousness of Governor Guild in disCharg-
ing his duties as chief executive of his
state is told by one of his friends here,
and Is as follows;
Made Test Personally.
During the famous murder trial of
Charles Tucker in Cambridge, the de-
fense contendcd that the murderer could
not walk from his home to the home of
Mabel Page, the girl he murdered in
the time allotted by the prosecution.
After verdict Of guilty had been rem
derCd, an appeal was made to the gov
ernor. who had studied every phase OF
the case with remarkable care 1t was
not until he refused the plea IF the
murderer that it became known that the
governor had slipped away from the
statehouse ono afternoon, went ont to
Weston. where he walked over the
route covered by the murderer The
fact that he was able to cover the dis.
tance well within the time allotted BY
the prosecution was largely responsible
for his refusal to gran. Tucker res
pite.