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Show TELEGRAPHIC WILLIAM OR! OX. Sadden Death ot the Telegraph Eaioe. New York, 22. Hon. Wiliinm : Orton, preeident of the Veaera Uoion I telegraph company, dii d in his residence resi-dence at 7.30 this morning. The immediate cause of the death of Mr. Orton waa apoplexy, with which he wns stricken at 1 last nicht. The death was very sudden and unexpected. un-expected. He wag at the Episcopal church yesterday, and participated actively in a successful movement to extinguish the debt. He dined with hie lamily, drove to Centra park, aud appeared in better health than usual until 11 at night, when he was Btricken with paralysis. He passed into a comatose stale accompanied by stentorious breathing, and eo remaineJ until relieved hy death at 7 this morning, morn-ing, another victim to excedsivo mental men-tal strain and overwork. It ia not disparagement to Orion's able associates in the Ve6tern Union company com-pany to Bay that there ia none to fully fill the vacancy made by his death. His was a master mini in many respects. Without beiog a lawyer he combined fine legal instincts with broad statesmanlike views and qualities, quali-ties, and unubually quick, shrewd business perceptions and knowledge of men and their character. In all cases his purpose was to be just, Hia weakness was the intense, earnestness with which he devoted de-voted himsell to details in the vast business over which he presided. As a citizen he was patriotic, public spirited; as a friend, warm,-cordial, true as steel; as a husband and father wise; affectionate and so deeply loved; as a man he was frank, social, cheerful, cheer-ful, companionable. His absoace from every cirole in which he moved will make more than the usual void. The arrangements for his obsequies have not yet been decided. Hon. William Orton wag born in Cuba, Alleghany county, Now York, June 14, 182(5, and at the timo of his death waa Btiil comparativety a young man. From 1845 to ths beginning of the late rebellion Mr. Orton waa connected with tbe book trade, and waa a member of a prominent firm in this city.-' In 1862 he was appointed ap-pointed collector of internal revenue for the sixth district ol this city, and in 1865 waa appointed commissioner of internal revenue at Washington. Ibis office he conducted with signal ability, and upon his retirement received from Mr. McCulloch, secre lary of tbe treasury, a graceful acknowledgment ac-knowledgment of bis distinguished services. Tho occasion of this retirement from government office was the tender of the position of president uf tbe United Stales telegraph company, unanimously voted by its board of directors. Mr. Orton remained at the head of this institution until its consolidation with the Western Union telegraph company. A union which bo himself waa mainly instrumental in accomplishing ac-complishing when he was chosen Orton was unauimoualy elected preei dent of the Western Union telegraph company, an office which he ceu- tinued to hold till his death to-day, Norvin Green, vice president of thn Western Union telegraph company, wns called to Mr. Orton'a bedside at 2.30 this morning, and remained until after hia death. During the lust year Mr. Orton haa appeared to bo in unusually guud health. However, ho bad been friqucntly warned that he ivbb in danger of overworrying himself. him-self. At the mretiny ul directors of tin company last Thursday he complained com-plained of fatigue and frequently put his hnd to bis head, as was his habit when tired. On Saturday he was at his oflice till 6 o'clock in tbe evening. and seemed to be not only well but in ' (ipecially good spirits. Mr. Orton wis fortuuate in the possession of , active and cooperating lieutenants . General and Vice President Ausou Stager in the west, General John C. Hincbman in the eastern and middle states, General John Van borne in the south, and James Gamble ou the Pacific coast, o The career of Mr. Orton since be- coming the head of this vast combi- na'iop of telegraphic interests is well - known to the public. He was master of all Ha branches and controlled them with conspicuous energy and ability. The consolidation of the Atlantic &. PaciQo telegraph company with the Western Union company last year waa chiefly due to Mr. Orion's c-florts. He Bhuuncd connec tions with private institutions which were likely to interfere with bis devotion devo-tion to e-pecial dulies, but he served as a commissioner to selccl the site of the new poetoilice and was one of the comoiisaioners to assize damages Is propei ty by the elevated railroads.1 He bftd lone been a prominent mem her uf the Uuiou League club. Mr. Orton leaves a wife and eight children, child-ren, to whom he was devotedly a tubbed. Although not remarkably wealthy, be had acquired a coinpe teuf e. During the last few years he bid heavily insured bis life. The total unioi:nt of policies eu his life in various companies is reported to bo Irom 550,000 to $60,000. |