Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-01-17
Death Steals Upon Naval Hero as He Lies in
 State of Coma.
BANK OF ADMIRAL
 DIES WITH DEWEY
tmrricnn Naval Vessels in All Parts of World Go in Mourning at Order ai President Flashed
 Thru Space.

Washington, Jan. 1G.-Admiral and by priority of grade the ranking naval officer of the world, died at his home here tonight in his S0th year. He had not been conscious since yes- tcrday, when he lapsel nto coma still believing that in a few days he would
 be back at his desk in the navy de- partmcnt
 A general break down. accompanied
 by arterial aclerosis incident to old age,
 was the cause of death. The disease had been gradually spreading it's hold upon the powerful body for a year and a half, but the admiral proud of his physical Vigor, had fought 1t off and kept it a secret even rom his most intimate friends. Last Wednesday he was at his office, apparently hale and hearty. The next day he collapsed as he was preparing to leave his house. Mrs. Dewey and the admiral's son,
 George, Jr., were at tie bedside to- night. They had known since yester- day there was no hope,
 The admiral died at :56 o'clock. President Wilson and Secretary Dan
 iels were notified at cnce, and the
 news was flashed by wireless to American naval vessels and stations over the world. The messages car ried the order that all vessels carry ! their flags at half mast. The presi- dent will confer tomorrow with sec- retary Daniels and Rear-Admiral
 Badger and arrange for the funeral, which probably will take place Satur- day. The body will le inferred in Arlington demetery on the Virginia shore of the Potomac, where many of Deweys former comrades were laid to rest.
 Shares Honor With Two Others. .
 Only two other men Farragut and |Porter-have held the rank of admir- al of the American navy, and since civil war days, no military figure has held such place as Dewey in the affection and admiration of the Ameri- can people.
 His death ended 62 years of active service. His baptism of fire came in the Givi] war thru which he served with distinction. Promotion followed promotion during the years following. and he was commodore in command of the Asiatic squadron when orders to Capture and destroy the enemy's fleet gave him the first news of hos tilities with Spain, and sent him into Manila bay for the feat that won him undying fame. and had a far-reaching effect upon the position of the United tSates as world power. Immedi- ately Dewey was advanced to rear admiral, and then congress by special act, made him admiral of the navy, the grade that died with him.
 Since 1900 he has been on duty ar the navy department as president of the general board, constantly in touch with all activities of the navy, adviser of secretaries and mighty champion of greater fleet Year after year the general board urged the building of more ships than congress would agree to until last session, when a greater building program. based on it's recom- mendations. finally was adopted.
 It was because of the admiral's keen version to any suggestion that his strength and health had failed that navy physicians attending him had agreed with the family to make no announcement of his condition last Thursday. It was given out the ad miral had cold. and until Sunday there was hope he might master the disease. Yesterday his condition be- qame So serious the facts could not longer be withheld.
 When the news of the admiral's death was received at the white house President Wilson authorized the fol- lowing statement:
 "In expressing his grief at the death of Admiral Dewey, the president said the whole nation will mourn the loss of a most distinguished naval officer, and man who has been as faithful, as intelligent and as successful in the performance of his responsibilities in time of peace as he was gallant and successful in time of war. It is just