GEN. LEW WALLACE DEAD. Author of "Ben Hur" Passes Away at His Home. CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind.. Feb. 15.-Ocn. 15.-Ocn. Lew Wallace, author of -Ren Hur," one time Minister to Turkey and a veteran of the Mexican and Civil wars, died at his home In this clly tonight, nged iS yenrs. Tho health of Gen. Wallace bus been waning for several years, and for months, desplto tho efforts of the family to keep the publlo In Ignorance of his true condition. It has been generally known , that his vigorous constitution could not much longer withstand the ravages of a wasting disease. For more than a year ho has been unable to properly proper-ly assimilate food At no time has he ever confessed his belief Hint the end was near, and his rugged constitution and remarkablo vitality have been responslblu for prolonging his lift several month. Tho death-bed scene was ono of calmness. calm-ness. Resides his physician only his wife, his son. Henry Wallace of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Wallace were present. Two grandchildren were In the house, but were not admitted in tlje room. When told by his physician that he was dying Gen. Wnlldco was perfectly calm, and his lat words Were expressions, of cheer lo his gi-lef-strlfken family, Bidding lijem farewell, fare-well, jje said: " j am ready to meet my Maker," and lapsed Into unconsclousr.e ss, from which he did not recover. N'o definite funeral arrangements have, been made. ..Pf, W- n- niallnc. who. had been Gen. Wallace's physician for many vears. aald tonight that the direct cause of the Gen-ral's Gen-ral's death was exhaustion, resulting from starvation. For weeks Gen. Wallace had been unable to take and assimilate rlrengthenlng food of any kind. Ilia stomach refused absolutely to perforin Its I unctions, and it was only his Iron constitution con-stitution and remarkable vitality that kept him alive for mure than three months. All nourishment for weeks had been given by hypodfimlc Injection The general's health began to fall two years ago. He had been an Inveterate smoker, and this was ascribed as the cause for his illness primarily, lie gave up Hie habit, however, and lent every aid to the skilled specialists that were called He failed slowly but surelv, nnd three r.-onlhs ago his condition necame alarming. alarm-ing. Ho rarely left his home, nnd tho last time he was on the streets was Xo-vember Xo-vember I. when he witnessed the football foot-ball mime between Wabash and Indiana universities. Son after he was confined to bed and since that time he sat up only a few hours each day A week ago It became be-came known he wna sinking rapidly.