West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1883-02-28
William E. Dodge.

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of heart disease at his residence in
New York on last Friday morning,
February 8, A special to the Chi
cago Tribune gives an account of
his last hours. He had been ill
from severe cold, and was con-
fined to his room. On Thursday
afternoon he seemed to revive, and
his pastor, Rev. Mr.. Vincent, who
called to see him, found him cheer
full and hopeful of a speedy recov-
cry. Last evening, however, he
was again attacked with severe
pains in the region of the heart,
and during the night he was un-
able to sleep until the early morn
ing, when he appeared to be re-
lieved, and fell into a quiet doze.
He slept until Z 80 this morning,
when he arose apparently much re-
freshed and proceeded to make his
toilet. Mr.. Dodge had a morning
wrapper of many colors, which he
was accustomed ocall his "Joseph's
coat" Mrs. Dodge, rejoieed to find
her husband apparently so greatly
improved, started to get his wrap
per, but she had scarcely passed
the door of the library when she
heard Mr.. Dodge calling to her.
One Of Mr.. Dodge's sons also heard
the call, and mother and son hur-
ried to the library, where the hus-
band and father was found lying on
the floor. He gave a look of loving
recognition to Mrs. Dodge, and ex-
pired instantly, without word.
He leaves widow and seven sons
William E. Dodge, Jr., Arson G.
p Dodge, Rev. David Stuart Dodge,
Gen, Charles G. Dodge, Norman w.
Dodge, George e. Dodge, and Ar
thur M. Dodge. The funeral will
be he'd in the Church of the Con-
vent on Monday morning, at 10
o'clock.
In religious matters he was a
strict disciplinarian, and his rever-
ence for the Sabbath was unbound
ed. He declined to be present at
the blowing up of Hell-Gate, be-
cause it was done on Sunday, and
on one occasion when a reporter
called to see him about a proposed
new charter for the city, on Sun
day, he declined to be interviewed,
stating that he never engaged in
secular versation on the Sab
bath. He resigned his position as
Director of the Erie, New Jersey
Central and Texas & Houston Rail
roads as soon as those companies
began to run Sunday trains, and
sold his stock, declining to be iden-
titled in any way with business
that was conducted on the Sab
bath He was one of the most ac-
tive workers to secure the enforce
ment of the Sunday provisions of
the new penal code, and held that
all business of secular nature
should be suspended on the Lords
day. He himself lived up to his
belief consistently. Mr.. Dodge
was an ardent advocate of total alb
stinence. Wine was never served
at his board He was one of the
founders of the Union League
Club, and took an active part in
the work Of that organization dur
ing the War, but few years ago he
resigned his membership because
the Club used wine at it's banquets
and many Of its members were en-
gagged in the. liquor trade. When
the National Temperance and Pub
LEGATION Society was organized in
1866, Mr. Dodge was elected Pres
ident, and he continued to fill the
position until he died. He brought
Father Mathew to this
country, aud in every great
temperance meeting for the last
fifty years Mr.. Dodge was a promi-
nent actor He founded the Tenn
perance Christian Home for Men at
Lexington Avenue and Sixty-third
Street. Notwithstanding his mu-
nifcent gifts to public and private
charities, it is estimated that he
leaves a fortune Of over $6,000,000