Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-01-24
ADMIRAL GEORGE
DEWEY IS DEAD
Hero of Manila Bay Dies After
Short Illness.
WIFE AND SON WITH HIM
Commander Won Distinction as Civil
War officer and Was Given High
est Honor After Victory
In 1893.
WIFE AND SON WITH HIM

In 1893.
Washington. Jan. 49, Admiral
George Dewey, who won the naval bat
tie at Manila bay, died at his home
here on Tuesday, at the age Of seven
ty-nine, after an Illness lasting six
days. Mrs. Dewey and his son, George
NJ. Dewey, were with him when the
end came The son was summoned
from Chicago.
Admiral Dewey was taken i'll last
Thursday with what at first appeared
TO be only slight cold. His Illness
was diagnosed as arteriosclerOsis.
President Wilson has shown his
sympathy by sending huge lunches of
flowers to the admirars home, with a
request that ne be informed of any
change in the patients condition.
Because of Admiral Dewey's rank,
the military funeral service will be
of the most impressive character.
During his residence in Washington
Admiral Dewey had lived very sim
pie and retired life. He was at his
office Ia the navy department regu-
larry every day.
Admiral Dewey was the third Off
GER who won the high post of admiral
of the United States navy.
His father was DIR. Julius Yemans
Dewey of Montpelier. Vt. His mother
was Mary Perrin, daughter of Zacha-
riah Perrin of Gilead. Conn.
George Dewey was born at Mont
pelier on December 90, 1897.
At the outbreak of the Civil war
Dewey was twenty-three years old. He
was commissioned a lieutenant. and
guided the Mississippi as its executive
officer on Farragut's historic dash past
New Orleans and its forts.
He was not so successful at Port
Hudson. Farragut won through, but
Dewey and the Mississippi run
aground under the guns of the forts
The ship was set afire and during the
transfer OF the crew under fire the
young officer "llved five years In an
hour"
Dewey, on October II. 1897, received
an order instructing him to report to
Acting Rear Admiral McNair, in the
far East
In the harbor Of Nagasak. Japan.
on January ?. 1898. Dewey took over
the command Of the Aslatic squadron
from Acting Rear Admiral McNaie
A cahlegram delivered 10 Dewey on
board the Olympia Mt Hong-Kong on
February L. 1898. read:
dewey. HongKong;
Maine destroyed at Havana Febru-
airy - by accident.
long"
on April - Mt 1913 Dewey re-
ceived this cablegram from Secretary
of the Navy Long;
"Vqr has commenced between the
United States and Spain. Proceed at
once 10 the Philippine islands. Com
mence operations particularly against
the Spanish feet You must capture
vessels or destroy. Use the utmost
endeavOr'
At : 30 o'clock on May l, 1898. in
the misty haze Of tropical dawn
Dewey said:
"You may fire when you are ready,
Gridley."
Seven .hears later. at Il 80 noon.
a white flag was hotsted on the gov
eminent buildings mt Manila. The
Spanish squadron had been wiped out
and the land batteries silenced. Dewey
had not lost a man. He cuhled home
the news Of the surrender and then
cut the cable.
On May -, American troops oceu-
pied MaEHa and the Stars and Stripes
were flung to the breeze over the para
pets Of the citadel
Admiral newey--the promotion was
made on May 4-remained at Manila
ten months and then returned 10 the
United States by way of New York. He
received welcome tome never ac-
corded another man.
ON March 3. 1870. congress author
tied the president to appoint by Sc
lection and promotion an admiral Of
the navy, who shall not be placed upon
the retired list except by his own APP
plcaton; and whenever such office
shall be vacated by death or otherwise,
the Office shall cease to exist"
Dewey was named
The title. Admiral of the Navy"
was especially created for Dewey.
who IS the only American on whom II
ever was conferred. though Porter and
Farragut had been made fun admirals.
In 1900 Admiral i'e'vey was serious
1y talked of as candidate for the Re
publican nomination as president. but
the admiral preferred t. remain In the
navy.