Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-02-20
Death SUMMONS GENERAL FUNSTON
IN HEIGHT OF BRILLIANT CAREER
SOUTHERN ARMY
CHIEF ANSWERS
SUP PREME GALL.

lRepubican A. P. Leased WireJ
SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 19.-Major
General Frederick Funston. COM
mander of the southern depart
ment, United States Army, since
February, 1915, died suddenly at a
hotel here tonight a few minutes
after he had finished dinner. He
collapsed while seated in the lobby
of the hotel talking with friends,
and was playing with little Inez
Silverberg, OF Des Moines, Iowa,
guest, with her parents, at the
hotel, when he fell unconscious.
Death was almost instantaneous.
General Funston was 81 years old.
Ever since March, 1916, when he
was placed in command of all
United States forces on the Mex
lean border, General Funston had
worked at an unusual pace. At
critical times in border develop
ments he frequently remained on
duty twenty four hours of the
twentyfour. The handling of reg
ulars disposed at various stations
on the border, the Pershing expedi-
ton and, of late, rearrangement of
regular troops while providing for
the return of national guardsmen,
have entailed an enormous amount
of detail work, probably exceeding
that which fell to any commanding
general OF the United States army
since the civil war. Only today
General Funston completed orders
for the return of the last of the
euardsmen.
The picturesque and dashing cap
ture of Aeuinaldo, the Filipino rebel
chief, was the achievement which
brought Funston prominently to
the attention of the American peo-
pie, but he performed many ser
vices for his country besides that
which were probably more difficult.
His administration of affairs in
Vera Cruz, where he carried out
the presidents orders with firm
hand, simply holding the city when
every influence about nim : was
centered upon forcing the Ameri-
can army into actual fighting with
the Mexicans, probably was the
most notable service of his career.
The American troops had been in
possession of Vera Cruz only few
days when one of the Mexican gem
erals sent in message saying in
most polite terms that he was un-
able to longer restrain his troops,
and that they were about to ad-
vance and drive the Americans
into the sea.
If you can't hold your troops
back, can" was the laconic mes
sage Funston sent back. Because
of the amount of work which has
fallen to him, General Funston's
only recreation or relaxation for
nearly a year, has been an oc-
casional dinner party with few
friends.
Only recently General Funston r.
turned from an inspection trip WhiC
took him as far as Nogales, Ari
That, with one trip to Brownsvill
Texas, and brief visit to Austin, Te'
last year, were the only occasions wht
he has been absent from his desk sin,
the border trouble developed.
Two weeks ago General Funston su
fered an attack of Indigestion. To u
his own expression, Il fought it O
alone" Later he placed himself und
the care of Lieutenant Colonel NJ.
Ireland, of the medical corps. southel
and regained norm
health and spirits. For three days
Colonel Ireland said tonight. "Gener
Funston had been entirely Well
Nevertheless, at dinner tonight Ge
eral Funston was particularly absten
ious and ate only sparingly of 1
simplest dishes.
Colonel Malvern Hill Barnum, Ge
eral Funston's chief of staff, immeC
ately notified the war department
General F'unston's death. News al
was dispatched to Mrs. Funston, W
is visiting her father in California.
arrangements for General FunstOl
funeral have been made.
The body was taken to a local unde
taking establishment
Not until 1896. when the Cuban
surrection was at its height {
Frederick Funston become knoV
throughout the United States as
first class fighting man. but
friends in Kansas-where he spC
his early manhood-long had
classified him.
AS a student at the University
Kansas, when he weighed less tn
100 pounds. he conquered 2
pound bad man" who threater
him with a razor To add to I
giants humiliation, Funston marcf
him through the streets of LaWren
Continued on Page Two)
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