The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-10-24
Sudden Death of MIR. Thomas l.


Our people were greatly shocked ycster-
day to learn of the sudden and utterly UNI
expected death of Mr.. Thomas l.. Hume,
one Of our most popular citizens and promi
nent business men. The deceased appeared
in his usual strong and robust health Sat-
urday, and was busily engaged at his store
in settling UP his affairs with the firm of
Hume, Cleary & Co., from which he had
Withdrawn In order to devote all of his
time to his farm (Tunlaw) and stock rails
ing. In the early portion of the evening
he was heard to fall in the upper floor, aud
some of the clerks who rushed TO his relief
found that he had fallen down the stairway
leading from his private office, cutting his
forehead slightly, but in no other manner
injuring himself. He assured them that he
was unhurt, and wished merely for few
hours rest. He was cared for, but about o
o'clock his symptoms became alarming.
DIR. McBlair was summoned. who found
Mr. Hume in so critical condition that he
dispatched for'Dr. =. J. Murphy and DR..
Mackall, the family physician, and also for
Mrs. Hume, the vito OF the deceased. At o
o'clock he sank into comatose condition,
and died about 5 the next morning.
The deceased was native Of Virginia
but had resided in Washington the greater
portion of his life. He first entered into
the employ rs n lad of Morsell & Wilson,
and in 1854 went into the store of Mr..
Edward Hall. Through industry, integrity
and application to business he worked his
way up to partnership, and under the
name OF Hall & Hume, this establishment
grew to be one of the most prominent in
the city. After the death Of Mr.. Hall the
business was carried on under the same
firm name for several years, until the inter
est of Mrs. Hall was purchased by Mr..
Hume, after which tho firm of Hume,
Cleary & Go. was formed embracing Thomas
l.. Hume, James X. Cleary and Frank
Hume. During long life of usefulness in
this community Mr.. Hume occupied many
positions Of honor and trust, and was but
recently appointed for the second time a
member of the Beard Of Fire Commissioners
in place of the late William b. Reed. He
was appointed by the President of the
United States commissioner to represent
the District in the proposed Worlds Fair to
leading spirits in the organization of tn
National Fair Association, and to his energy
and business tact in great measure is due
the success Of that enterprise. He was a
member of d. B. French Lodge and Wash.
ington Chapter, L. A. A. NJ, and Washing
ton COmmandery, No. /, X. II. He was a
vestryman Of Ascension Church, and was
one of the most active and inhential of its
members In the work of erecting the fine
church edifce corner of Massachusetts, ave-
nue. and Twelfth street.
The deceased leaves a wife (nee Miss
Pickrell of Georgetown) and six children
His funeral will take place from his late
residence, 1919 p street, Georgetown, to-
morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. 1t is probable
that the ceremonies will be under the
charge of the Masons, and the pall-bearers
will be designated from among the intimate
friends of the deceased in that order. Rev
DR.. Elliott, Of Ascension Church, will
officiate, and as Mr.. Hume was an honorary
member Of the Washington Light Infantry
q portion Of that body will take part in tn,
sad ceremonies. The interment will be al
Oak Hill Cemetery.
In the full prime of manhood, man o
indomitable will, great energy and bushes:
tact, endowed with highly progressiv,
spirit, Mr.. Hume was of vast value to Oui
city. as he was, by reason of his amiable ant
whOle-souled disposition, intensely popula
among his friends and acquaintance. W.
do not know when we shall look upon hi.
| like again,