Milford chronicle., 1959-02-13

Grant transferred him to that po-
sition. Two years later when the
Consul General in Paris left for
Greece. Torbert was appointed to
NIL that vacancy. Here again he was
remarkably successful. An inti-
mate friend OF his Paris stay said
after his death, His influence in
Paris arose from his habitually ex-
cellent manners, military repufa-
ton, and the honorable use he made
OF every courtesy. He accepted
no hospitality which he ought TO
return without returning IL in the
fullest"
when he returned home, he be-
gan to look about for business
opening. One proposition was to
go to Mexico to report upon pro-
ject there. On Wednesday, Septem-
ber 1, 1880, he sailed for Mexico
on the ship City OF Vera Cruz"
Rain and wind accompanied the
ship. making a most unpleasant
voyage for the passengers. Or Sat
urday the captain noticed that the
barometer was falling and announ-
ced that they were going to. have
hurricane. The crew took all pre-
cautions. Sunday morning the
heavy sea swept into the engine
room and put cut the fires. Pass
engers and crew worked together
to bale out the ship. Sunday after
noon all passengers put on their
life preservers. General Torbert
remained cheerful and tried to en-
courage his fellow travellers. In
attempting to reach the deck from
his cabin, he was swept overheard.
He climbed on a piece of the wreck
being used as raft by two other
people. Before long the huge waves
upset the raft and General Torbert
was swept off. The next morning,
about eight o'clock, his body was
washed ashore at New Briton, Flor
ida. Those who found him judged,
from the condition of his body,
that he was still alive when the
breakers washed him ashore and
that he had been killed by a piece
of the wreckage.
He was buried in Jacksonville,
Florida. A few days later his body
was disinterred and sent TO New
York by steamer, arrived there on
September 29th A military escort
took it first to City Hall and next
to Trinity Chapel. After addresses
and honors there. his body was
20 kaw - phsIa1nIr&t.Sn xsr4. <~- ~ ~w~m
similarly received, and then
brought on to Milford. A funeral
procession was formed at the rail-
road station and marched through
the streets TO the Torbert resi-
dence. In this procession were:
0glesby's Band, of Chester.
DUPONT Guards.
Hall Guards
American Rifles.
Torbert Guards.
Gun carriage, with corpse, In
charge of Keystone Battery of
Philadelphia Pa1lbearers - Sena-
tor Salisbury, Governor Hall,
Judges Wales and Wooten, Colonel
Henry A. Dupont and Manlove
Hayes.
City Troop, II Members.
Delegates from Military Order OF
Loyal Legion.
Friends and Civilians.
The streets along the line of
march were lined with crowds of
people. the band played a dirge.
the militia marched with reversed
arms, and the church bells were
tolled. Over the town hall fioated
a half-masted flag with a heavy
Grape border.
AT the house the Rev. John L.
McKim, Principal OF ST. Mary's
College at Burlington, New Jer-
sey, but formerly stationed at
Christ Church, Milford. read the
burial service. The body was then
taken to the Old Methodist Gene
tery and lowered into the grave
while the militia fired the burial
salute General A. II. A. Torbert,
Mi1ford's distinguished son, had
come home to stay.
"At three o'clock a memorial
service, to which only those hav-
ing cards OF invitation were admit
ed, was held in the Avenue Metho-
dist Church. Men of importance in
the state paid tribute to this illus
tri0us citizen who had made such
a contribution in the forty-seven
years allotted to him"
Aunt Molly. | didn't know Mil
ford had such an important mani"
-That is the reason like 10 tell
you these stories. Bobby, because
you have no other way Of becom-
ing acquainted with Milford's past"
what will IL be next week?"
Next week. Bobby. we viii talk
about another man who was quite
different from our six governors
and General Torbert You just wait
and Sect