The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-20
12O-POund Commander of
u. S. Border Forces Col
lapses in Hotel.
INDIGESTION THOUGHT
TO HAVE BEEN CAUSE
Was Playing With Child
After Supper When Strick-
en-51 Years Old.

San Antonio, Texas. Fob. 1?.--Gcn-
eral Frederick Funston, commander OF
the southern department, United States
army. since February. 1915, who be-
came famous as a result of his capture
OF Agunaldo. the Filipino rebel chief.
died suddenly at n hotel here tonight
II few minutes after he had finished
dinner. He collapsed while seated in
the lobby of the hotel talking with
friends. and was playing with littlo
lncz Silverberg Of Des Molnes. Iowa.
u guest with her parents at tho hotel.
almost instantaneous.
General Funston was 81 years old.
Lieutenant Colonel NJ. W. Ireland,
medical corps, L. S. A., said tonight:
General Funston's death was caused
by angina sclcrosis of the arteries OF
the heart. Death was almost immc-
diate and without pain"
Colonel ireland said General FUN
ston had been under his care for the
past two weeks and for the last few
days had been practically wek Two
weeks ago he had an attack OF acute
indigestion.
Worked at Fast Pace.
Ever since March. 1916, when he was
placed In command of all United States
forces on the Mexican border, General
Funston had worked at an unusual
pace. AT critical times in border de-
velopments he frequently remained on
duty "a hours of the "a. The handling
| of regulars disposed of at various sta
tions on the border. the Pershing eN-
pedition. and OF late the rc-arrangc-
mcnt of regular troops while providing
for the return of national guardsmcn
have cntailcd an enormous amount OF
detail work, probably exceeding that
| which fell to any commanding general
of tho United States army since tho
civil war.
Only today, General Funston COM
pleted orders for the return of the last
of the guardsmcn. Because of tho
amount OF work which has fallen to
him. General F'unston's only recreation
or relaxation for nearly IL year has
been an occasional dinner party with
friends.
Indigestion.
| Two weeks ago General Funston
! suffered an attack of indigestion. To
use his own expression. Il found it out
alone" Later he placed himself under
the care Of Lieutenant Colonel NJ. w.
Ireland of the medical corps southern
department and regained normal
health and spirits. For three days.
Colonel Ireland said tonight, "Gcncrat
Funston had been entirely well,'
Nevertheless, at dinner tonight, Gem
Cral Funston was particularly abstcm-
inous and ate only sparinIly of tho
simplest dishes.
Colonel Malvcrn-IliIl Barnum, Gen.
cral Funston's chief of staff. imme-
diatcly notified the war department OF
General F'unston's death. News also
was dispatched to Mrs. Funston, who
Is visiting her father in California. No
ARRANGEMENTS for General Funston's
funeral have been made. The body was
taken to IL San Antonio undertaking
establishment.
General Funston's last words before
he became unconscious were: How
beautiful it is
He referred to the beautiful "Bluo
Danube Waltz" which the hotel orchcs-
ira was playing,
Story Of Life.
Not until 1896. when the Cuban IN
surrection was at its height, did Fred
erick Funston become known through
out the United States as a first ella sS
fighting man. but his friends in Kan
sas-wherc he spent his carly manhood
long had 50 classified him.
AS II student at tho University of
Kansas, when he weighed less than 100
pounds. he conquered u 200 pound bad
man who threatened him with a ra-
zor. TO add to the giants humiliation,
Funston marched him through tho
streets Of Lawrence. Kansas, at tho
point of Il revolver to u police station.
few years later. while city editor
young Funston stirred up intense feel
ing by attacking cditorlally tho publi-
cations own political party leaders
during the absence of his cditor-in-
chief. Many threats are said to have
been made against Funston and the
newspaper property. but he remained
on guard until his superior returned
and then turned over tho plant un-
harmed. Incidentally Funston also re-
signed. ...
. Along the santa Fe railroad they
still recall how Funston, as u passen-
ger train conductor, threw a drunken