Veteran Sounds Taps at Soldiers’ Home Memorial and Then Expires

     John Humphrey, a veteran at the Soldiers’ home, died at 11:30 o’clock this forenoon after living for twenty-four hours with apparently no other strength than that gained from his own will and his determination to live until after participating in the memorial service in honor of President McKinley. The circumstances surrounding the veteran’s last illness are dramatic.
     The story of Humphrey’s demise, vouched for by officers at the home, is that he was apparently aware on Wednesday that his end was near, but that he was determined to live another day and share with his comrades in paying the last formal tribute to his country’s chief. He had for some time been afflicted with heart trouble, and on Wednesday he came to Capt. Nathaniel Pierce of the home Company E, saying that he was very sick, but when he was instructed to go to the hospital, he refused, and he likewise refused to receive any attention from a physician when friends tried to prevail upon him to do so.
     “I must live another day,” he said, but refused any other assistance.
     This morning he arose and fell into line promptly at the call of assembly. Proceeding with the parade to the memorial service, he remained until it was all over, and at the conclusion sounded “taps.” He then went to his room, and was there found dead about 11:30 o’clock.
     Humphrey came to the home from Appleton. He was a veteran of Company H, Ninth Wisconsin infantry.