The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-12
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Special Despatoh 10 The EUenfng Telegraph,
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-Major B. B. French,
a few years since United States Commissioner
of Public Buildings and Grounds, died at
o'clock this morning, at his residence on Capitol
Hill of disease of the heart
Although he had been i'll for two or three
weeks, his death was very sudden and unex-
pected, and its announcement greatly startled
the community of which he was an esteemed
and prominent member, he having resided
in this city for nearly forty years.
and held many offices of honor
and trust both local and national, among which
were Commissioner of Public Buildings, under
Presidents Pierce and Lincoln, President of the
Board of Aldermen and Common Council mem
Der fthe LevyCourt, and for several years reading
clerk of the House of Representatives, and, sub
sequently, clerk of that body. Major French
was probably best known for his connection
with the Masonic fraternity He was Jealous
Mason, and probably better known in the frater-
nifty throughout the United States than anv other
member. He was Grand Master of the District,
and Past Most Eminent Grand Commander of
the Knights Templar of the United States. One
of the Masonic Lodges, No. 10 of this city, bears
his name. He leaves wife and two sons, one
of whom is a resident of Boston, and was with
him at time of death.
Admiral FarraRut.
II Secretary Robson yesterday received tele-
graphic advices from Commodore Pennock,
commander of the Portsmouth, N. H., Navy
Yard, that Admiral Farragut was still detained
there by very serious Illness
The shenandoah.
The third-rate screw steamer Shenandoah,
mounting ten guns, will go into commission on
Monday at the Boston Navy Yard.
Naval designations.
The designations of Robert f. Stockton Second
Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, and c. J.White,
Professor of Astronomy and Navigation at the
Naval Academy, have been accepted. The
latter to take place on the 3Oth of September
next.
Patent Extended.
The patent of Hezekiah Bradford of Reading.
Pa, for an ore washer, has been extended for
seven years from the 18th instant under the act
of July 8, 1870.
Pension Agents
are authorized to appoint their clerks to take
and certify aflidavits of pensioners and their
witnesses, in certain cases several agents en-
ploying female clerks. The question having
been submitted to the bureau whether the law
authorizes these females to be deputized in the
same mapner as the male clerks, Acting Com
missioner Trevitt has, with great gallantry and
Justice, decided that their sex does not deprive
them of the right to discharge all the duties of
the Office.
Naval Orders.
Despatch 10 the Associated Press
Lieutenant Gwinner has been ordered to the
Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Lieutenant Commander Wright is detached
from the Naval Academy, with preparatory
orders to the Narragansett.
C. j. White Professor of Astronomy and
Navigation in the Naval Academy, has resigned.
Fire In the san Francisco Mat.
The Superintendent and Treasurer of the Mint
at San Francisco telegraphed to the Secretary of
the Treasury that fire broke out yesterday in
the Mint building from chimney near the assay
room, which was entirely subdued.. The money,
bullion and books are all safe. They will resume
work in three days.