Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-02-22

San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 19.-Majo
General Frederick Funston, commandins
the southern department Of the United
States army and one Of the leading fig
ures in the country's military histor,
since his capture of Aguinaldo Will,
commanding a Kansas volunteer regimen,
In the Philippines, died of acute indeges
ton tonight. He collapsed in n hote
after dining with friends and ditl>uot re-
gain consciousness before his death, q
short time afterward.
END CAME QUICKLY.
General Funston was at his office to.
day. with no sign of Ill health. During
dinner he seemed in his usual gocd spir.
its and after the meal began to play with
a child Of one of the guests. He fell over
unconscious before any one could reach
him.
Lieut.-Col. NJ. w. Ireland. medical corps
L. S. A., General Funstons physician
said tonight:
General Funstons death was caused
by angina sccrosis Of the arteries of the
heart. Death was almost immediate and
without pain"
Colonel Ireland said General Funston
had been under his care for the last two
tually well. Two weeks ago he had an
attack of acute indigestion,
/ General Funston was 81 years old
COMMANDED BORDER TROOPS.
: Ever since March, 1916. when he was
placed in command of all United
States forces on the Mexican border
General Funston had worked unusual
~ hard. At critical times in border
developments he frequently remained
on duty continuously for "a hours. The
PershinE expedition and of late, re-
arrangement of regular troops while
providing the return of National
Guardsmen. eXacted an enormous
amount of detail work. probably ex-
ceeding that which fell to any other
commanding general of the United
states army since the Civil War.
Only to-day General Funston COM
pleted orders for the return of the la st
Of the guardsmen. Because of the
amount Of work which has fallen to
him. General Funston's only recrea-
tion or relaxation for nearly year
has been occasional dinner parties
with friends. Recently General Funs-
ton returned from an inspection trip
which took him as far as Nogales.
Ariz. That. with one trip to Browns
Vile. Texas, and a brief visit to Aus
tin, Texas. last year. was the only oc-
casion when he has been absent from
his desk since the border trouble de-
veloped.
HAD PREVIOUS ATTACK.
Two weeks ago when Genera, Funston
suffered an attack Of indigestion he
fought it out alone. to use his own ex-
preston Later he. placed himself under
the care of Colonel Ireland and regained
normal health and spirits. Nevertheless
at dinner tonight, General Funston was
particularly abstemous and ate only
sparingly Of the simplest dishes.
Col Malvern Hill Barnum. General
Funston's chief of staff. Immediately
notified the war department of General
Funston's death. News also was dispatched
to Mrs. Funston, VINO Is visiting in
California.
No arrangements for the funeral have
been made.
y BRILLIANT RECORD.
Not until 1896. when the Cuban insurrec-
ton was at its height, did Frederick
Funston become known throughout the
United States as a first-class fighting
man. but his friends in kansas-where
he spent his early manhood-had so
classified him.
as student at the University of
Kansas, when he weighed less than 100
pounds. he conquered n Compound bad
man" who threatened him with razor.
To add to the giants humiliation. Funston
marched him through the streets Of Law
renee, Kansas. at the point of revolver.
to a police station.
A few years later, while. city editor
of a paper in Fort Smith. Arkansa. young
Funston int "a +
lacking editorially the publications. own
political party leaders during the absence
Of his editor-in- chief. Many threats are
said to have been made against Funston
and the newspaper property. but he re-
manned on guard until his superior re-
turned and then turned over the plant
unframed. Incidentally. Funston also
resigned.
Along the Santa Fee railroad they still
recall how Funston. as a passenger train
conductor. threw a drunken cowboy off a
train and later. when he hurled a rock
through a coach window. pursued him
several miles on foot while the train
waited.
Funston's first experience on the firing
line came in Cuba, where he commanded
General Gomezs artillery with remark
able results. After engaging In 20 battles
and being wounded three times. he re-
signed his command because so guerillas
who had aided the Spaniards were ex-
ecuted against his wishes. Captured by
Spaniards on his way to Havana. he
escaped death by swallowing a letter to
the president of Cuba which would have
proved his identity.
: While a colonel of the famous Goth Kan
sas volunteer infantry.An the Philippine
War. Funston performed 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 SILL
periors as absolutely fearless. Ever ready
to plunge into danger. he cared little
whether his force equalled that of his o.
ponent. One day. the story goes. when
, 1t appeared certain the Filipinos would
destroy three companies under Funston J
command. General Harrison Gray Otis
inquired OF the colonel how long he could
hold his position.
/ Until am mustered OUT Funston re-
piled; and he made good by repulsing the
| Filipinos.
When the volunteers were discharged.
Funston retained his rank as member
OF the regular army. AS II regular he
made mark by Maintaining order in
San Francisco during the disaster of 1906.
! Temporarily In charge of the troops It
the Preside when the disturbance came,
he quickly declared martial law and set
about obtaining accommodations for the
homeless, keeping down the cost of food
and arrestng trouble makers 1t was