Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-11-21

Death Of Dr.. Robert F. Baldwin.

Death Of Dr.. Robert F. Baldwin.
DIR. Robert F. Baldwin, Superintendent
of the w. L. Asylum, died on Friday
morning last at o'clock. Some months
ago he went to Baltimore to consult dis
tinguished physicians. when he was frank
ly informed that he had cancer in the
head which would terminate his life in q
short time. He bore the announcement
with calm fortitude and returning to
Stanton commenced making final ar
Management Of his affairs. Though suffer-
ing great physical and mental agony he
attended to the duties of his position with
scrupulous exactitude until Frustrated by
his disease, showing the same thoughtful
ness for the welfare and comfort Of those
under his care, which had been such
marked characteristic of his administra-
tration The last few weeks he had been
confined to his room in great suffering, so
great as to disturb his mental balance, but
even then his wandering mind was con-
tinually referring to the comfort of his
patients and his inquiries about them un-
lie position Of this character who were
more fitted for it by an intense sympathy
for those who misfortune had placed in
their care.
DR.. Baldwin was in the fifty-first year
of his age, native Of Winchester and a
son of DR.. Stuart Baldwin. an eminent
physician. During the war, he was surgeon
of the 33d Va. regiment and afterwards in
charge of the Confederate hospital at the
American Hotel here. He married a
daughter of the late Richard w. Barton,
of Frederick county, and her death only
occurred about year ago. Some three
years ago.he was elected to the vacancy
occasioned BY the death of DR.. Francis T.
Stribling, who as Superintendent had
given the Asylum national reputation,
and he had earnestly and conscientiously
labored to keep the institution up to the
standard it had attained. His remains,
after funeral services at the residence by
Rev. We. Hullihen, Saturday, were taken
to the Valley depot to be sent to Winches-
ter for interment and were escorted to that
city by DR.. A. M. Fauntleroy, President
of the Board Of Directors, Judge John
Howard McCue, the Secretary, and Capt.
T. D. Ransom. Speaking of his death the
Lynchburg "Virginian" 1.-THE editor of
which. Mr.. C. W. Button, was for long
time member of the Board of Directors)
says:
DIR. Baldwin was an eminent physician.
and possessed all the elements requisite for
the important position he held, and being
comparatively ia young man, he would
doubtless have developed further, and
made one of the most efficient and distin-
xuished officers that any asylum Of the kind
ever was blessed with. Having been one
of the Board of Directors during portion
OF his administration, we had abundant OPP
pOrtunity to know the gentlenesS and sym
pathy ever manifested by him towards that
most unfortunate class Of human beings
that were committed to his care. He was
a noble man, and the State has suffered a
great loss in his death.
The Richmond ''State'' says:
The death of DIR. r. F. Baldwin removes
from delicate and responsible field Of duty
one Who, by his humanity as well as his
skill in treatment, seemed eminently en-
dowed and fitted in every respect for the
care Of the patients of the Asylum. DIR.
Baldwin succeeded DR.. F. 7. Stribling,
some years ago. and had given such gener-
al satisfaction that his death will be a
great loss not only TO the State, but to the
inmates of the institution, whose interests
and kind care alone should be consulted in
the appointment Of his successor.
TIE Southern 'Churchman" says: SIT
was sad day for the medical and mora!
treatment of the insane in Virginia when
Dr.. Stribling died. But he was succeeded
by one who brought to bear great skill and
pentleuess; and now he is dead" and a
Berryvirle correspondent Of that journal
writing OF the death of DR.. Baldwin, whom
he knew s.from his cradle to the grave
says:
AS Colonel in the war, he was about the
first to cross swords with the enemy. anC
calamity kept overwhelming numbers a.
.bay. regardless of peril to himself, unit
l1is wagon trains and as many of his sol
dies as he could accomplish were in safe
My. then surrendered his sword; this was
characteristic of tho man. His captOr was
doubtless a gentleman of generous i'm
pulses, for in forwarding him to his prison
be accompanied him with most c0mpli
raentary letter, asking kindness and CON
sideratiOn to him as gallant officer and q
true gentleman; but high as this was, il
was the least of his high qualities.