New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-20
Stricken While Playing With
Child in San Antonio
Hotel -
Aguinaldo's Captor
Had Exciting Career
Noted for Exploits in Philip
pines, San Francisco and
Mexico

San Antonio, Tex, fep. ~
Major General Frederick Funston
commanding the Southern Depart
ment of the United States army, and
one of the leading figures in tho
country's military history since his
capture of Aguinaldo, in the Philip
pines. died from acute indigestion
tonight. He collapsed in a hotel
soon after dining with friends and
did not regain consciousness.
General Funston was at his Office
to-day, with no sign Of i'll health.
After dinner he began to play with
a child of one Of the guests. He
fell unconscious before any one
could reach him.
Lieutenant Colonel NJ. w. ireland,
Medical Corps, U. S. A., General
Funston's physician, said tonight:
General Funston's death was
caused by angina sclerosis Of the
arteries of the heart. Death was al
most immediate and without pain"
Colonel Ireland said General Fun
s.on had been under his care for the
last two weeks and for several days
had been virtually well. Two weeks
ago he had an attack Of acute indi-
gestion, and since had been extreme
ly careful in diet.
Tasks Had Been Difucult
Ever since March, 1915, when he
was placed in command of all Unit
ed States forces on the Mexican bor-
der, General Funston had worked
unusually hard. At critical times
he frequently remained on duty
continuously for twenty-four hours.
News of his death was dispatched
10 Mrs. Funston, who is visiting in
California. No arrangements for
the funeral have been made.
General Funston's last words
we're: "How beautiful it isw He
referred to the Beautiful Blue Dan
ube" waltz which the hotel orchestra
was playing.
Since the Civil War the United
States has had no military commander
whose lighting qualities and brilliant
exploits so endesred him to the people
as the little red-headed Kansan who
fought with Gomez against the Span
iards in Cuba and with the 10th Kansas
Volunteers against the Spaniards and
the Ladrones in the Philippines.
From the day when he took command
of Gomez's artillery until the hour oil
his death Frederick Funston was the
name most likely to pop into an Ameri-
cans mind at the suggestion OF mill
tary prowess. Yet one Of the greatest
services he rendered to his country was
in time of peace.
When San Francisco was falling into
charred ruins and its inhabitants gath
ston and his regulars who brought
order out OF chaos, supervised the refu-
gee camps and quelled looters with
Stern hand. He was in command OF the
troops in the Presidio, and San Fran
cisco speedily awoke from its homeless,
layless state to find itself under mar
tial law, tent sites picked with view
70 sanitation, water supply under strict
guard and food conserved and distrib-
uted with the strict impartiality OF
army rations.
Capture Of Aguinaldo
But il was the capture Of the crafty
Aeuinaldo that enshrined Funston ~
hero in the hearts of Americans. II
was his campaign against Aguinaldo
that won him the rank OF brigadicr
general, and though by less sensa-
tional route he had attained the rank
of major general, the boys who used to
hum o
Well. I'd like 70 know who's running this
Is il me or Emilio Aguinaldo?
looked forward with the utmost conf
dence to seeing their hero regenerste
the army OF their country and WIN new
honors.
Famous Reply to Otis
Stubby, red headed, indomitable, he
was figure TO capture a boys imagi.
nation and hold his place forever and
TO make the hearts Of men beat faster.
II was easy TO picture and regard with
affection a redheaded man. barely hve
feet five inches in height. his very beard
bristling with pugnacity as he replied
TO General Otiss query, How long can
you hold your position, Funston
until my regiment is mustered out!
His administration Of ahairs in Vera
Cruz, where he carried out the Presi-
dents order with firm hand. simply
holding the city when every influence
about him was centred upon forcing
the American army into actual hgnting
with the Mexicans, was another nota-
bic service.
The American troops had been IN
uossession Of Vera Cruz only . few
days when one Of the Mexican generals
sent in a message saying, in most po-
lite terms. that he was unable 70 longer
restrain his troops, and that they wers
about TO advance and drive the Amen
cans into the sea.
"If you can't hold your troops oaek
| can" WAS the laconic message run
ston sent back.
a.