Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-01-17
Admiral George Dewey Sue
cumbs to a General Break
down, Accompanied by
Arterio Sclerosis, Due to
Old Age.
FLAGS HALF MASTED
ON ALL NAVY SHIPS
President Wilson, on Hear
ing the News, Promptly
Issued Statement Elk
pressing Sorrow of Him
self and of Nation.

Washington, Jan. 17.--Admiral Dew
ey, the nations Spanish war hero
and by priority of grade the ranking
naval officer of the world, died at his
home here last night, in his eightieth
year He had not been conscious since
Monday when he lapsed into coma
still believing that in Il few days ne
would be back at his desk i'll the navy
department
A general break down, accompanied
by arterio sclerosis incident to old age,
was the cause of death. The disease
had been gradually spreading its hoid
upon the powerful body for a year and
a half but the admiral, proud of his
physical vigor. had fought it off and
even kept it's existence a secret from
most of his intimate friends. Last
Wednesday he was at his office, ap-
parently hale and hearty. The next
day he collapsed as he was preparing
to leave the house, and the beginning
of the end was at hand.
Mrs Dewey and the admirais only
son, George, were at the bedside.
They had known since Monday that
there was no hope.
The admiral died at $3.50 o'clock.
President Wilson and Secretary Dam
iels were notified at once, and the
news was flashed by wireless to
all over the world. The message car
red orders that all flags be half
masted.
TRIBUTE FROM PRESIDENT.
When news of the admirars 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 presi-
dent said the whole nation would
mourn the loss of its most distinguish
ed naval officer, a man who has been
as faithful, as intelligent and as sue
cessful in the performance of his re-
sponsible duties in time of peace as he
was gallant and successful in time Of
war. II is just such men that gives
the service distinction and the nation
just pride in those who serve it."
Admiral George Dewey. hero of
Manila Bay" fought and won the first
great American naval battle against
a foreign foe since the war Of 1872.
His whole life was full Of memorable
war down to the time when, as the
head of the general board, he began the
last chapter OF his work by laying
plans for the defense Of his country i'll
time of war. His life was a striking
exemplification of the possibilities uf
a career based upon the exact and in
telligent performance of every routine
duty which molds a man ON flexible
lines of duty and honor.
THOUGHT HE WAS SHELVED.
One of the curious freaks of fortune
in Dewey's case was that for perhaps
the first and only time in his naval ca
reer he was disposed to protest against
the edict of the navy department which
carried him into the far east. where he
was destined to perform the greatest
feat of his life and to win imperishable
renown.
That was back in 1898 when the war
clouds were gathering and Dewey felt
that he was being 'shelved"; that the
war with Spain was to be fought out in
the Gulf of Mexico and in the Cario-
bean sea and that he, distant by half
the circumference of the globe, would
stand no chance of winning glory, for
at that moment no thought whatever
had been given to the Philippines. But
he took his orders and like a true SOL
der obeyed them. The result is a page
of history under date Of May l. 1898.
Contrary to Spanish expectations
Dewey sailed into Manila bay on the
night of April 80 and in the morninf
of the next day he annihilated Admira
Montojo's squadron, destroying II war
ships and capturing all other vessel.
and all the land batteries without th'
loss of a man on the American side.
TRIUMPHANT RETURN.
Upon his triumphant return to TIN
United States he was feted by the ma
ton His admirers presented him will
a beautiful home in the national cap
ital. Congress gave him an engraved
sword, and raised him from the ranl
OF commodore to rear admiral and thei
to the full rank of the admiral of thu
navy.
Admiral Dewey was the third Amer
lean to reach that pinnacle of nava
rank. Farragut was the first AM
Porter the second. 1t was ;.nder Far
ragut that Dewey received his baptism
in war.
valuable as the training Annapo
lis was, 1t was poor schooling bes.d
that of serving under Farragut in tim
OF war" ADMIRAL Dewey once said
whenever | have been in Difficult
situation or In the midst of confusion
OF details that the simple and righ
thing to do seemed hazy | have ofte