The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-02-20
FRED FUNSTON
DIES Of HEART TROUBLE

CONTINUED from page one)
commanded General Gomez's artillery
with remarkable results. After en-
gaging in twenty-five battles and be-
ing wounded three times, he resigned
his command because fifty guerrillas
who had aided the Spaniards were
executed against his wishes. Captur-
ed by Spaniards on his way to Ha-
vana, he escaped death by swallow
ing a letter to the President of Cuba
which would have proved his identity.
Won His Spurs.
While colonel of the famous
Twentieth Kansas Volunteer infantry
in the Philippine war, Funston per-
formed feats of bravery that brought
him the title Of brigadier general. His
capture of Aguinaldo and his fording
of the Rio Grande river at Columpit
under fire featured his work.
Funston has been described by his
superiors as absolutely fearless. Ever
ready to plunge into danger, he cared
little whether his force equalled that
of his opponent. One day, the story
goes, when it appeared certain the
Filipinos would destroy three COM
panies under Funston's command.
General Harrison Gray Otis, inquired
Of the colonel how long he could hold
his position.
until am mustered OUT" Funs-
ton replied; and he made good by re-
pulsing the Filipinos.
When the volunteers were discharg-
ed, Funston retained his rank as a
member Of the regular army. AS q
regular he made q mark by maintain
ing order in San Francisco during the
disaster of 1906. Temporarily in
charge of the troops at the Preside,
when the disturbance came, he quick
ly declared martial law and set about
obtaining Accommodations for the
homeless, Keeping down the cost OF
food and arresting trouble'makers. 1t
was while, he was in command of the
troops at Vera Cruz in 1914 that he
was raised to the rank of major.gen-
eral.f He then was 40 years old.
The ambition of Funstons youth
was to go to West Point, but he fall
ed in an entrance examination. In lat
err years he repeatedly outranked
West Pointers who were in school
when he failed of admission.
Physically, Funston was one OF the
smallest men in the United States
army. He was barely five feet and
five inches tall and usually weighed
less than 1920 pounds. In civil life ne
was modest and retiring.
Collapsed in Hotel.
General Funston collapsed while
seated in, the lobby of a hotel talking
with friends. and was playing with
little Inez Silverberg, of Des Moines,
Iowa, a guest with her parents at the
hotel, when he fell unconscious.
Death was, almost instantaneous.
d General Funston was b. s years OF
20 Only yesterday General 'F Funston
completed orders for the return of the
last of the guardsmen from the Dor
der. Because OF the amount of work
which /, has :, fallen to him, General
Funston's only recreation or relaxa-
ton for nearly year has been an &C.
,casional dinner party with friends.
@jaa. Fought II Alone. nsa
Two weeks ago General, Ennston
suffered an attack Of inaiigg{A7sffi9n; TO
use his own expression, fought it
out alone" Later, he placed himself
under: the care of Lieutenant Col. M.
w. Ireland. Of the medical corps.
southern department, and regained
normal health and spirits. For three
days." Col. Ireland said last night.
General Funston had been entirely
WE'LL"
Nevertheless, at dinner last night.
General Funston was particularly alb.
steminous and ate only sparingly OF
the simplest dishes.
General FunstOn's last words be-
fore he became unconscious were:
"How beautiful it is"
He referred to the beautiful "Blue
Danube waltz" which the hotel Or
chestra was playing.