Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-09-11
General wilson
NOT EVEN AIII'G
Announcement of Death in
Newspaper Greatly Ex-
aggerated" Says Soldier
REPORT PRAISED HIS
GREAT ARMY RECORD

Hundreds OF friends OF General
James II. Wilson were shocked yes
terday morning ewhen they read an
editorial of an eulogistic trend in the
New York Sun. In which his death
was announced as having taken place
in Wilmington on September 2. This.
of course. was mistake. as General
Wilson is enjoying his usual good
health at his home, No. 1906 Rodney
street. this city He celebrated his
setenty-ninth birthday anniversary
on September ,. The Army and Navy
Journal. il is said through some mis-
take announced that General Wilson
died on the day OF his birthday ami
versary and the New York newspaper
took that announcement as It's author
ity for the editorial
General Wilson said when the mat
ter was called TO his attention. that
the report of his death was greatly
exaggerated" and that he was not
even ailing II is seldom that man
gets the opportunity OF reading an
eulogy on himself and this editorial
paid a high tribute to General Wilson,
Indicating ne regard in which he is
held by the country for his brilliant
record as a soldier
Judge George Gray, who Is a per-
sonal friend OF General Wilson OF
many years standing. was at New
London, Conn, where the joint United
States-Mexican Commission OF which
he is a member. is holding its ses-
sions when he read the editorial. The
New York Herald this morning print
ed the following dispatch from New
London.
Judge George Gray, OF the Amerl-
can section OF the joint commission,
read I'm one OF the New York news
papers today that his friend. General
James Harrison Wilson had died at
Wilmington. Del. on September 2. On
that day Judge Gray played golf with
General Wilson. Today he was great
ly shocked to hear that his friend was
dead.
Judge Gray telephoned TO General
Wilson's home in Wilmington to eX-
press to the latter's family his great
sorrow. General Wilson himself an
swered the telephone call. He is well
and hearty"
The New York sun today prints the
/ following editorial:
General James Harrison Wilson has
had the rare felicity of receiving the
! spontaneous tribute of friend who
mourning him sincerely. believed that he
: had gone over to the majority 10 Join
the choicest spirits of the Civil War;
and The Sun has passed through tho
! grateful experience Of learning that IN,
information that occasioned its farewell
10 gallant soldier and good citizen wa
the result of the mental confusion Of 3
contemporary whom Il has always re-
| garded as a Rock Of Gibraltar for re-
/ liability. the Army and Navy Journal
ON its issue OF Saturday that ex-
cellent service publication conveyed
/ the unwelcome tidings to its readers
/ that General Wilson was no more,
and the general will be pleased to
read the splendid record Of his ser
vices in three wars that followed the
announcement. Such a previously un-
/ improbable authority The Sun could
not doubt, and IL proceeded in good
faith and with poignant sorrow TO
repeat the announcement and say
what IL thought OF James Harrison
Wilson as an officer and a gentleman.
and as a man and a citizen. It re-
tracts nothing and affirms everything
that IL said in praise and apprecia-
ton OF General Wilson, but IL is sin
cerely sorry If the mistake has caused
him OF any one a moments dis
comfort
"One OF General Wilson's numerous
friends has brought 20 The Sun the
news that he is in sound health with
his habitual cheerful outlook on life
II is most welcome news and he him
self will realize how glad The Sun
is to receive It."