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Show COL WITCHER DIES SUDDENLY Had Expected to Leave on a Long Pleasure Trip When He Was Stricken; His Long Public Career. Just one day before he was to have started upon a long pleasure trip Lieut.-CoI. John Seashoal Wltcher. U. S. A., retired, died at his home at 6:$0 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Col. Wltcher had Just completed all arrangements for a trip that would take him away from Salt Lake City for the next two years. His home had been leased, and up to a week, ago he was actively engaged In business.. Col. Wltcher was born on a farm In Virginia on July 15, 1839. It was in that State that he received his early education. He was arrested by the Southerners during the war and charged with treason. He was an advocate ad-vocate of the Union cause. After being be-ing captured he managed to escape to Ohio, where he formed k company which afterward became a part of the Third West Virginia cavalry. He was commissioned Captain, later became be-came a Major, and for his services at Shenandoah he was brevetted Brigadier-General. At the close of the war Col. Wltcher retired to private life and entered politics. poli-tics. He has served the Government In various capacities. He served a term in the West Virginia Legislature, and also one term In Congress. In 1878 he was appointed United States pension agent, and resigned this place in 1880 to become paymaster of the United States army, with the title of Major. He served In that capacity until 1901. when he retired, at his own request, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Lieutenant-Colonel. Col. Witcher has practically made Salt Lake City his home since 1811. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Flora Witcher. and five children. Mrs. Frank McCuIlough of Huntington. W. Va.. William V. Witcher of Oakland. Cal.. Philip S. and Arthur B. Wltcher of Salt Lake City, and Edward J. Wltcher, who Is in business In Alaska. Funeral services will be private and will be held Tuesday. The remains will be held at Mt. Olivet cemetery for a short time and will later be taken to Arlington cemetery at Washington, D. C for burial. |