The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-02-24
FUNSTON DIES SUDDENLY.
LEADER OF FORCES ON BORDER
STRICKEN WHILE PLAYING
WITH CHILD.
Had Been Under Long Strain With
Handling of Guardsmen and At.
tending to Details of Policing Mex.
lean Border.

e~e~AA <AheOhAos fOOs IC.-MdJ. GCH.
Frederick Funston, commander of the
Southern department of the United
States army since February 10, 1915,
died suddenly at hotel here tonight
a few minutes after, he had finished
dinner. He collapsed and fell uncon-
scious while seated in the lobby of the
hotel talking with friends and play
ing with little Inez Silverberg of Des
Moines, Iowa, guest with her par
ents at the hotel. Death was almost
instantaneous. Gen. Funston was 81
years old.
Ever since March, 1915, when he
was placed in command of all United
Sttaes forces on the Mexican border,
Gen. Funston had worked at an un-
usual pace. At critical times in bor-
der developments he frequently re.
mained on duty 20 hours of the "a.
The handling Of regulars disposed of
at various stations on the border, the
Pershing expedition and, of late, re-
arrangements Of regular troops while
providing for the return of National
Guardsmen have entailed an enbrmo Gus
amount of detail work, probably ex-
ceeding that which fell to any COM
manding general of the United States
since the War Of Secession. Only to-
day Gen. Funston completed orders
for the return of the last Of the
Guardsmen. Because Of the amount
OF work which has fallen to him, Gen
Funston's only recreation or relaxa-
tion for nearly year has been an oc-
casional dinner party with few
friends.
Only recently Gen. Funston return
ed from an inspection trip which took
him as far as Nogales. Ariz. He also
inspected the American expeditionary
forces in Mexico just before they
came out. These trips. with one tc
Brownsville, Texas, and brief. visi,
to Austin, Texas. last wear, were viz
tually the only occasion when he has
been absent from his desk since the
border trouble developed.
;, Two weeks ago Gen. Funston suffer.
ed an attack of indigestion. 10 use
his own expression, II fought ii out
alone" Later he placed himseif un-
der the care of Lieut.. Col. M. M. Ire.
land Of the medical corps, Soiathern
department. and regaineds s.prmal
health and spirits. "For ti1rse S|sys,,
Col. Ireland said tonight, 20 en, Fun.
ston had been entirely WE'LL,
Nevertheless at dinner tonight Gen
Funston was particularly abstemious
and ate only sparingly of the sim.
plest dishes.
Col. Malvern-Hill Barnum. Gen
Funston's chief of staff, immediatel,
notified the war department Of Gen
Funston's death. News also was dis.
patched to Mrs. Funston, who is visit
ing her father in California. No ar.
rangements for Gen. Funston's funcr.
J al have been made.
Col. Ireland, who has been Gen,
Funstoa's physician for some time
said tonight:
Gen. Funston's death was caused
by angina schlerosis of the arteries of
the heart. Death was almost immedi-
ate and without pain.
Gen. Funston's last words were in
admiration Of waltz the hotel Or
chestra was playing.
How beautiful it is." he said Then
he lapsed into Inconsistencies.
Besides his wife. Gen. Funston is
survived by three children, Frederick
Funston. Jr. aged 10 years; Barbara
Funston. nine, and Elizabeth Funston.
aged eight months.