Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-25
The Late Capt. ). l.. Phelps.


thoroughly competent for the place. DIR. Bran
nam and Secretary Lamar married sisters.
-------->O>--
The Late Capt. >. l.. Phelps.
A SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Seth Ledyard Phelps, whose sudden death al
Lima, Peru, was announced in yesterdays
STAR, was a grandson of Capt. Seth Phelps who
was with Wayne at Stony Point. His grand.
mother was of the historic Ledyards of Con.
necticut. His father, Alfred Phelps, led a com.
pany up Queenston Heights. where he was
severely wounded, and captured with Scott.
county, Ohio, June IS, 1924, appointed a
mdshipman in 1S41, and reported 10 ComIno-
dore Stewart, of the old "a Independence, OF
the home squadron, in 1915 He went on a
tour of duty to the African coast, and sent home
as prize officer in captured SLAYER. A cargo OF
rum on board produced a mntiny, in which
both crews were involved. The midshipman.
then not %. reduced the mutineers and car
ried the ship into Charleston. In the Mexican
war he served on the little Bonita, OF the
muSqulto fleet. Though constant in duty on
shipboard, his attainments were such that, in
1850, he was detailed to accompany scientific
party to Santiago. Chilli, where he remained
Two years. On his return he was retained at
Washington working up his observations till
5G-his longest period of shore duty. Here. in
,33. he was married to Miss Lizzie Maynadier.
dtughterofthe late Gen. May aynadier of the army.
The sole fruit of this marriage was a daughter
vino became the wife of Mr. Sevellon Brown, of
the state department.
Till the fail of Fort Sumter, when he entered
upon active duty in the war. In June he was
ordered to the Mi >SissipDi. and remained i'm the
gnnboat service till the collapse Of the rebellion.
His first command was the Conesto-a and he
became flag officer to Admiral Foot, had con-
spicuous part In all the early desperate battles
under that officer, and contributed much, not
only to success in battle, but to the develop
ment Of that peculiar arm of the service. so
effective In results He held the same position
under the heroic Porter, sharing his eounsels.
ana was MS sword-arm In the execution OF his
plans. His last command was the Eastport in
the ill-starred Red river expedition of Gen.
Banks. On the retreat of the squadron down
the shrinking river he commanded the rear
guard, then constantly under fire from the
hopelessly aground, he laid trains connecting
with her magazine, sent his crew off in their
boats, applied with his own hand atch to
the train and leaped to little shell kept for
that purpose. Porter expected he was lost and
was amazed to see him pull out of the cloud
that enveloped the wreck.
After twenty-four years of duty Secretary
Welles and President Lincoln regretfully ac-
cepted his resignation. He then went to China
and Japan in the service of the Pacific Mail
Steamship company, returning in 1873. In
1875 lie was appointed one OF the District Com
missiOnerS, and re-appOinted at the head of the
new board in 1873. After his retirement he
proceeded to the lsthmuS, secured a concession
of territory from Nicaragua and organized the
ship canal company, to which his best energies
minister to Peru, where he died, June "a.
man of remarkable executive ability, he
was in every fiber man. His enemies were
made by the nfiexiblity of his dominant Quail
ity. He leaves a widow, daughter, her husband
and three infant grandchildren, stricken by
the sudden blow of his death.
Mrs. Phelps and Mr.. Scvellon A. Brown both
received letters from Capt. Phelps, dated June
9th. The letters gave an Interesting account Of
hunting trip with some OF the attaches OF the
legation. 1t is thought that Capt. Phelps death
was due to paralysis.
The InharmoniOus School Board.
TRUSTEE BIRNEY ASKS FOR AN INVESTIGATION
OF HIS CHARGES AGAINST TRUSTEE LOVE-
JOY.
The District Commissioners have received the
following:
"WAsHINGToN, De- March Is, 1885.
To the Hon. Commissioners of the District of
Columbia:
Gentlemen:-For more than two years have,
from time to time, pointed out the probable ex-
istence of Justification in the teachers payrolls,
ante-dating the official term OF the present Dis
trict auditor.
Some weeks ago was led, casually, to exam
inc the first six pay rolls Of teachers, in 1882.
relating to school No. 1, grade No. g in the
first division. Having found falsifcations in
tions, against the only persons responsible who
are now school officials.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) WM BIRNEY,
Trustee of Public Schools.
P.S.-June oath, 1885. ask investigation of
the accompanying charges as against Benjamin
March, With the foregoing letter, and the I sixth tn
has been added from Information obtained
since 1S;staa that time Respectfully,
The Commissioners have the charge and spe-
cif1catiOns in their possession, but as yet have
given the matter no consideration.
Doctor Murphy Sustained.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COLUMBIA HOS
PITAL ADOPT A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING
CONTINUED CONFIDENCE IN HIM-THE LADY
VINDICATEn
MANAG EMENT.
At final meeting Of the board of directors of
Columbia hospital held last everning, to con-
slider the charges of mismanagement, hereto
fore referred TO in THE STAR, a resolution was
adopted "that we. the directors of Columbia
granted full and ample hearing to statements
criticising the officers and management Of the
geon in charge, personally and in his general
management our continued confidence
report of the lady visitors was read, declar-
ing that they regarded the charges against DIR.
Murphy ''as unjust, unfounded, and malicious"
also Getting the opinion OF every member of
the board, founded upon personal observation
and the testimony OF patients of all classes, to
could not be found: that the board had had the
the part o the inmates there has Been ana uo
versal expression of gratitute to DIR. Murphy,
to the matrOn and to the hospital for the
therefrom." In conclusion, the lady Visitors
express their entire confidence In Dr. Murphy
and their hearty enlargement of his manage
ment Of the hospital. This report wa signed
by Margeret A. Washington, president OF the
board OF lady visitors to Columbia hospital;
Mrs. M. A. Newman, Mrs. L. N. Phelps, Mrs
Samuel Emery, Mrs. M. V. Kerch, Mrs. Martha
A. Smell, Mrs. Henry A. Willard, Mrs. E. Blair
Lee.
YELLOW FEVER on BoARD.-Acting Assistsnt
Surgeon Orr reports to the surgeon general of
the marine hospital service the arrival yester-
day, ct the Delaware breakwafer quarantine of
the Norwegian bark Nat, from Cienfuegos, with
three cases OF yellow fever on board.
A COMMITTEES OF IMPORTERS, consisting Of
Messrs p. n. Leonard and Mr.. Mexican, Of New
York, and Mr.. Zeh, OF Philadelphia, waited on
Secretary Manning and Assistant Secretary
regard to undervaluafions and reappraisemenf.