The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-07-29
DROWNING OF A PROMINENT
BALTIMOREAN.


son of the we'll known lawyer of that
city Mr.. John II. 3. Latrobe, ST.. was
drowned i'll the Patapsco river on Satur-
day last, while bathing. The Baltimore
SIM gives the following account of his
death,
Mr.. Latrone had on number of coca
sions visited Ferry Bar, and WAS we'll
known as one of the most experienced
swimmers in the habit of visiting the
shore. lie drove to the resort in hack
arriving shortly after three O'Clock. going
direct to the bath house. where he was
furnished with a bathing suit. and in
short time was ready for swimming. He
entered the water from The platform. let.
ting himself down slowly, aud started to
swim. He reached a point near the end
of the old ~ arf, not over 80 feet from
where he STATED, when without any out
cry or effort to save himself he sank.
The water where he went down is 20 feet
deep. 1t is a frequent occurrence for ex-
pert Swimmers to remain at times under
water, but as MIR. LatruDe did noe reap
pear in what was thought reasonable
time, the spectators became alarmed. and
a boat was sent to the place where he
was seen to disappear in the hope that he
would again come to the surface: as lie
did not come up, however, Mr.. Michpl
Cannon, 4 well knc1a divef aud awiH!-
mer, dived repeatedly, it is SAID twelve
times, but failed to secured the body
The sunken wreck of an old wharf inter
fered greatly with the operations of the
diver. Graphing irons also proved use
less on account of the timbers of the
wreck. but the body was finally recovered
by William Hubbard, George Abbott and
John Abbott, who used QyQter tongs. The
corpse was removed to the bath house.
The yacht of Mr.. r. Stewart I.atroLa,
his brother had bcsa sSS,, aEoat tho ,;E,a
of the accident returning from a trip,
and a messenger was sent to convey the
sad intelligence. AS the yacht reached
Winan's wharf the messenger arrived at
the boat house. and Mr.. Latrobe was in
forntea of his brother's death. He made
preparations ri aIte2 lG boys p4q ls.r;.,ss
properly cared tor, aud they we're taken
in charge by Messrs. II. W. jenkins 4
Son, undertakers. Coroner Bell declined
holding an inquest. The body was taken
on Sunday from the undertakers to the
residence of the father, No. 1873 North
Charles street, from which place he was
buried or Monday afternoon in Green
monRt Ge#essets,
Mr.. John II. 3, latrobe, ST., was at
his country place, near the Relay House,
with his family, and ex-Mayor Latrobe !
was dining out of town at the time of the
accident. Mr.. Osmun Latrobe is in /
Europe, and Mr.. r. Stewart Latrobe, as /
already sratpa, arrived hanp about tha !
time Of TUG oaaArtalas. AR. Iatyobe's /
relatives, as we'll as the spectators. concur |
IL the idea that he mnst have been us.a-
cd with ctainPs, aud Oh reaching bottom |
caught hold of one of the sunken timbess
in his desperation, and for this reason did |
not rise to the surface.
4t. !.aHnhe Was larn in May, 4si,, !,
and Yas therefore 81 years old, lie was |
graduate OF the Law School of the
University of Maryland, and practiced |
law with his father. lie was young man
of brilliant attachments. In 1878 he ac-
Mr.. \. B. Stenberger on the
expedition gent ~ the ,,itea a.a... gov |
er;,mept TO the Samoan or Navisators'
Islands. lii the south Pacific. Each
island in the Samoan group was govern
ed by separate chief. The object of
the expedition was to consolidate the
islands into one government MI. ..iei !
by Ale eGte., una6t the atylo aud title of
king, and to place the newly formed
Cover nment under the protectorate OF the
United States. The expedition was cor
daily received by the island chiefs, who
readily 20 ur,efateA Gith atesS.s. asetn. !;
berger and l.atrohe in leGGganiEing tho
government. Mr.. Latrobe had drafted
the constitution and code of laws for til.
government of the islands while on the
voyage there, and they were speedily put
IN nFaptga after their arrival. The phief
having the iaraest lAlioAlrg aud a man
Of fair education was created king Of the
Islands. The United States gov
desired to annex the group to
the Sandwich Islands under King Kala-
kaua. y. Il. Steinberser was created
prime iaiIlstet Nv F.s new King, s.Hd 70
Mr.. l.atrohe Was given the organization
and command of tue army. Mr.. l.atrobe
had come provided with TWO very snowy
uniforms, and far outshone the King in
the brilliancy of his array. The small
army was fairly equipped, with light blue
coats, white pante and riAes Ti,s ar.il-
lery force consisted Of four Calling guns.
No law OF official order from the King
was legal until 1nuEtelrigne.l 10y Prime
Steinberger, nor could any funds
he drawn from the treasury without the
signature of Mr.. Latrobe. While all
this was transporting Sir Edward Thorn
ton, tha Rfitish minister f. the l'ni,el
States was ~ correspondence With the
home governments, the result of which
was that British man war anchored
off the Samoan group. The captain
landed in a small boat, and endeavored
to assume control of the prime minister.
within few hours a second mau-ef-Wsr
approached, ana tbs primo minister,
knowing he had exceeded his authority
and instructions, surrendered. Messrs.
and Latrobe were taken
prisoners, Mr.. Steinberger was left on
QHa At tHe pnmeruns ISLANDS Astounding
in the South PACIFIC. against his viii aud
and Alr. Latrohe was sent
home. On returning to Baltimore he
resumed the praoCioo or his profession.
MIR. Latrobe was a grandson of Benz Ii.
Latrobe the celebrated architect and en-
gineer, one of the architects of the CAPT
toll at Washington, and who furnished the
lesign frnia whtlI ti.s Cathedral 20 tn,.
city was built. His mother was formerly
Miss Charlotte V. Claiborne. Beside his
brothers, f. c.. r. Stewart and Col. Os- I
nun Latrobe, Mr.. Latrobe had two Sis
sers-Mrs. Judge Cogswell, of New Jer-
'e5, aGa Mrs, Or, Loring, Of Washing
ION, d. G.