WHITNEY, Harry E. 1872-1899

WHITNEY, HEATON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/2/2015 at 18:32:42

Word comes through the press that H. E. Whitney, 1st Lieut. in U.S. Regular army died of typhoid fever at Cienfuegos, Cuba, May 10. His many friends hope that the report may provide to be false.

--The Semi-Weekly Cedar Falls Gazette (Cedar Falls, Iowa), 16 May 1899

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Word came through the Monday's dailies that Harry E. Whitney, First Lieutenant, Second Regiment, died on May 13th, of typhoid fever, at Cienfuegos, Cuba. Mr. Whitney was born in Beaver township, in December, 1872, where he lived until old enough to enter school. He graduated from the State Normal school in 1897, having the honor of passing the best examination in tactics of any scholar graduated from that school. He was one of the three civilians receiving appointments to the regular army from Iowa, passing a creditable examination. He received a commission as Second Lieutenant and was recently promoted to a First Lieutenant, being transferred to the Second Regiment. When the writer saw him last, a year ago, he was keen to be at the front and spoke of a bright and useful service in his chosen profession. He leaves a young wife to whom he was recently married, a father and mother, four brothers and one sister, besides a host of friends to mourn his loss.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 18 May 1899, pg 8

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The death of Lieut. Harry Whitney at Cienfuegos is confirmed. His death is a sad blow to the relatives who live west of this place near New Hartford. Lieut. Whitney was highly esteemed at his home and as a student at the Normal.

--The Semi-Weekly Cedar Falls Gazette (Cedar Falls, Iowa), 19 May 1899

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Death of Harry E. Whitney

Two weeks ago we published a report of the death of Lieut. Harry E. Whitney, stating at the time that the rumor lacked confirmation, but it was found to be to true. The following letter from the Major of the Regiment to Mrs. Whitney, gives the particulars of his death:

Headquarters E. Inf.
Cienfuegos, Cuba
May 13th, 1899

MY DEAR MRS. WHITNEY: It is
with the deepest pain and distress I
write to inform you of the death of
Lt. H. E. Whitney of my Regiment.
He passed away at 3:15 a.m. to-day,
although all that medical skill and
careful nursing had been given him.
He arrived at this place sick on the
1st inst and remained in the building
with myself and officers over night,
and the next day expressed a wish to
go into the hospital (Regimental)
which he did and there received all the
possible attention. He became uncon-
scious on the 5th inst and remained so
to the end. Although but little known
by myself and officers, we took the
most intense interest in him, and his
sad and distressing ending has endear-
ed his memory to us all. All the
officers join with me in extending to
you and all his friends our deepest and
warmest sympathy in this sad hour of
bereavement. He will be buried here
temporarily either this afternoon or
to-morrow morning with all the mili-
tary honors.

Very Respectfully
C. A. DEMPSEY
Major Inf. Commanding

--The Semi-Weekly Cedar Falls Gazette (Cedar Falls, Iowa), 30 May 1899

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Journal: The body of Lieutenant Harry Whitney, which arrived in New York City the latter part of last week, was shipped from that place Monday morning and arrived in New Hartford Wednesday night on the clipper. The remains were met at the depot by a large number of citizens, which attested in a marked degree the esteem in which the deceased was held by the whole community. The remains were buried in Fairfield cemetery.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 1 March 1900, pg 8

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Funeral Of Harry Whitney

New Hartford Buries Its Soldier Dead With Honors

New Hartford, Feb. 27--The remains of Lieut. Harry E. Whitney, who died last May at Cienfuegos, Cuba, arrived in New Hartford on Wednesday evening last and were buried Thursday in the Fairfield cemetery, southwest of New Hartford, near the home of the deceased's parents. A company of cadets from the state normal, the pupils of the New Hartford schools and the W.R.C. formed a part of the funeral procession. The pall bearers were from the Forty-ninth Iowa, in which regiment Lieut. Whitney enlisted at the outbreak of the Spanish war and remained with it until promoted to a lieutenancy in the regular service. Besides his parents, Lieut. Whitney leaves his wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Heaton of Fairfield, four brothers and one sister.

--Waterloo Semi-Weekly Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 2 March 1900, pg 6