Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-08-04
OBITUARY.
Death of Hon. Robert 8. Chew.

| of Hon. Robert s. Chew, Chief Clerk of the
Department of State, which occurred at his
residence in this city yesterday afternoon. 1t
will be remembered by the readers of The
STAR that about six weeks since Mr.. Chew was
Frustrated by a paralytic stroke, from which
serious results were apprehended at the time
After a little time, however, in the absence of
a recurring attack hopes were entertained that,
under the care of experienced and attentive
physicians and affectionate nursing, he might
recover. But this was not to be. From the
time he was first stricken he was unable to
speak, and yesterday exhausted nature finally
gave way.
Early in life Mr.. Chew entered the military
academy at West Point cadet, but having
no taste for an army life, he decided to aban
don that field and enter the civil service
of his country. Accordingly in 1884, at the age
of eighteen, he was appointed a clerk in the
Department of State by Hon. John Forsythe,
then Secretary of State under President Jack
son, where he served with great honor and use
fulness until the day of his last sickness. He
was for many years at the head of the consular
bureau in the office, and when the chief clerk
ship became vacant about seven wears since
by the appointment of Mr.. Hunter to an assist
ant secretaryship, Ire was promoted by Secre-
tary Seward to that delicate and responsible
position. From his long experience in the de-
partment not less than his natural qualifca-
tons, Mr.. Chew's judgment and services were
esteemed of great value, and his relations with
all the various heads of the department during
his long connection with it were always init
mate and confidential. Indeed it may be said
that he possessed in an unusual degree the re-
spect and affectionate regard of all with whom
he was officially associated, as well as of those
having occasion to transact business with him.
He united uncommon industry tn rare tact and
sound discretion, ana he consequently sue
ceeded in mastering every detail of the Office.
1t is, indeed, not too much to say that to his
unceasing devotion to public business may be
charged the sad and sudden termination of his
long and honorable career. His name is an
other to be added to the long list of victims of
overwork.
The deceased, who was born near Fredericks-
burg, Virginia, in the year 1872, leaves a wife
and five sons to mourn the loss of one who COM
bined in remarkable degree all the qualities
which go to make up the perfect head of family
and irreproachable citizen. MIR. Chew was con-
sistent member of the Episcopal Church, and
his daily walk in life was such as to give no ter
rors TO the summons of death.
Ills funeral, as will be seen from the notice
under the proper head in oday's paper, will
take place from his late residence, 1921 street.
at $50 Tomorrow morning.
meeting of the officers and clerks Of the
Department of State was held this morning to
take suitable action in view of the recent death
of Mr.. Robert s. Chew, who has, for several
years, with faithfulness and ability, filled the
responsible and arduous position of Chief Clerk
of that Department.
On motion of Mr.. Haswell, Mr.. Arthur b.
Wood, the Acting Chief Clerk, was invited to
preside on the solemn occasion, and Mr.. War
rem Q. Stone was chosen Secretary.
An order Of the Acting Secretary of State in
relation to the decease OF Mr.. Chew was read
Of which the following is a copy:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, August 5th, 1913.
The Acting Secretary of State Is panied to
announce to the Department the death of Mr.
Chew, late Chief Clerk.
lie was connected with this department for
nearly forty years. He was constant in attend
ance, dilige mt in the execution OF his duties in
teliigent exact and reticent in carrying out in
structioDs, kind and considerable to those unde,
him, courteous and sentlemanlike to ALL A
public service so long his falls to the lot Of
rev; no one could end an honorable career more
beloved and regretted.
The flag will be displayed at half mast on the
department building during the funeral services
on Tuesday. Such clerks as may desire to at
tend the funeral will meet here on Tuesday
morning at O'Clock, and proceed together to
the house. where the services will take place
a place will be assigned to them in the process
j. q. BANCROFT DAVIS.
A committee OF four was then appointed, con-
sisting of Messrs. jefferson, Faherty, BartIe,
and Polk, to draw up and present resolutions
expressing the sentiments Of the meeting, and
after deliberation Mr.. jefferson, chairman of
the committee, reported the following, which
were unanimously adopted:
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to re-
move from this life Robert s. Chew, Chief
Clerk of the Department of State, a gentleman
or urbane manners, pure patriotism and spot
less integrity; and whereas we, the officers and
intercourse with him have been enlightened by
his counsels, Gained by his affabiity, and
strengthened by the example of his answering
moral recttude, are filed with deep sorrow at
the melancholy termination of his life, and feel
1t incumbent on US to honor his memory, not
only from the spontaneous promptings of our
or the halo which his intelligence, good conduct
and blameless life have in a career of MANY
years shed upon the department to which we
belong: Therefore
ReSolred, That we render on this solemn oc-
casion the tribute of warm regard and best
consideration to the merits of the deceased
paying just homage to his Christian virtues
sno TO his unaffected simplicity Of manners and
character.
Resolred, That as an humble testimonial of
our respect to him, we will in body atten the
funeral of our late brother and friend, and will
wear the usual badge of mourning (crape upon
the left ARM for thirty DAYS.
=. AeOeoea mat COPY OF these resolutions be
FURNISHED to the papers of the city for publica-
ton, and that the same be transmitted with a
letter OF coincidence, to the family of the de-
ceased, assuring them that his many virtues
will be long cherished and remembered By us.
The GREAT FIRE AT PORTLAND, OREGON
Portland, Oregon, succeeds Baltimore in giving
another forcible illustration of the great inse-
curfty against fire there Is in the styles of build
ing practised in our cities. The fire spread over
large portion Of the city only stopping for want
OF material. The engines, Of which there were
seven, were powerless To stop it, as the flames
broke out in one place while they were working
on them at another. Twenty three blocks are
now in ruins; manufactures, hotels, stores, and
dwellng-houses are DESTROYED, and homeless
families are encamped in the public parks or
using churches for temporary habitations. The
loss is estimated at 81 800 600, on which there is
an insurance Of e200, 900; the Imperial and the
London, Liverpool, and Globe, both foreign in
surance companies, being the heaviest losers.
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