New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-18
Deaths Doings.

The relentless hand of death has been
busy in our midst, and it has fallen without
warning upon those whom we could i'll
afford to lose. We refer to those whom we
have known as DR.. William N. Mercer and
Captain John C. Sinnott, who died in this
city on Sunday last.
William n. Mercer was native of Cecil
county, Maryland, and at the time of his
death was eighty-three years of age, having
been born in 1892. He studied medicine
and graduated from the University of Penns
sylvania when that institution was presided
over by the venerable DR.. Rush. Imme-
diately thereafter he entered the service OF
the United States as assistant surgeon Of
the regular army, serving in the war OF
1872 with England. Like many others who
have since made homes for themselves in
Louisiana, the fortunes Of war brought him
to this State. He was post surgeon in this
city in 1916. He was afterward transferred
to Natchez, Mississippi, where he married
and left the army, and engaged in planting.
In this business he continued prosperously
until the death of his wife. He soon after
came to New Orleans, and erected a fine
residence on Canal street. The march OF
trade reached beyond him, and stores for a
long time have stood on either side OF his
home. This house never fails to attract the
attention of strangers, and quite as rema
able has been the appearance of the white
haired, lone, old man who occupied it. He
was scrupulously neat in dress, kindly and
polite to all, and his manner was that OF a
thorough gentleman of the old regime. He
possessed great wealth, but always lived
modestly and consistently, without counting
the worlds favors In fact, he seemed as
one who bore a touch of sadness. We are
told he never ceased to mourn the death OF
his wife and his only daughter. Many acts
of charity are attributed to him. He helped
the unfortunate when they knew it not.
At the outbreaking of the rebellion DR..
Mercer is credited with being Union man,
and opposing secession. 1t is certain that
| he gave as little of his means as possible to
| aid treason, and when General Butler took
command in this city the Doctor asked to
| be considered as a nOn-combatant. He
| malnJalnoO uno respect VI AL par Tllcs, duu
no man, not born here, will be more sin
cerely mourned by all classes than DR..
Mercer He had many friends and no enc
mics. He was good man, and it is for the
good man we speak good words.
| Captain John C. Sinnott, now mum bered
with the dead, was more man OF the peo-
| ple He was native of Plttsburg, Penn
sylvania, and came to this city many years
ago, aud engaged in the business of steam
boating. He was well known in the lake
4 and river trade, formerly as popular cap
tain of boats and latterly as agent for va
rious steamboats,, being one of the firm o.
Sinnott & Adams. Captain Sinnott was
the ideal steamboat captain-hearty, gen
erous and outspoken. His patrons espoused
! the Sout hern cause at rebellion, and he
helped tn EN-. He was manly man, and
| one of the best kind. He was social, com
panionable. He had an open, cordial hand
for all honest men and story for every
occasion. 1t will be many years ere hi
kindly face is forgotten. 1t should not be
for his good deeds have been many and hi:
| yirt-, ga ware NOT few