Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-03-02
DEATH or WIN. ". OoROORAN

In the death of this pure man and noble
hearted philanthropist, the Angel of Death
has touched chord to which thousands Of
hearts vibrate, and amid the food Of silent
sorrows which pour in upon us on this
mournful occasion we hasten to add our as
sent to and express our approval of DC many
eloquent and truthful expressions TIT have
been placed, like fragrant immortelles, upon
the casket of his honored memory.
We never enjoyed personal acquaint-
ance with the honored dead and therefore
are able to write only from the known
purity of his life and the cherished and ex-
alted place he occupied in the affections
of those with whom he was constantly
thrown-in that home where he was best
known, in that city where he had spent the
flower and vigor of his life, among those
friends TO whom he had endeared himself
by his many virtues-where the universal
grief of all classes, high and low, rich-and
poor, feel that benefactor of his race has
been borne away to the dark shadows Of the
grave.
The detailed history of the life and char
acter of the deceased has been so fully and
faithfully given through the press, an ab-
stract OF which we append to this humble
tribute, as to leave but little for US to say.
Throughout his life Mr.. Corcoran was promi-
nently and popularity known in Montgomery
and many of its favored enterprises have
been stimulated by his generosity at periods
when 1t was most wanted. Those OF our
citizens whe knew him best and moatlRM-.
| mateIy have preceded him on Sthas f0hs
journey, but there are still living in cur
midst many who have enjoyed close &C.
quaintance and who delight to speak of his
virtues and of his home, refined and beauti-
full, ennobled by delightful intimacies and
oldfashioned hospitality. 1t has been since
his death that we heard a lady say in speak
Ing Of his charities, that many years ago he
was appealed to in behalf OF some charitable
enterprise in the county. In the reply Mr.
Corcoran stated that "he had long since
made VOW that his charities should be
confined to the District of Columbia; he
had however broken the vow, but it was
when the cry for bread came up from the
South, then unbolted the doors of my safe
and at the time gave more than was able
to give" During the infancy of our Agri-
cultural Fair Mr.. Corcoran manifested much
interest in its success and was often present
at its Fall exhibitions, the first and only time
we ever remember to have seen him was up.
on an occasion Of this character and we
could but observe him as he walked around
the grounds inspecting everything upon ex.
hibition. Mr.. VIM. T. Jones, who resides
near Poolesvile, this county, is a nephew OF
the deceased, and it was only few years
ago that the summit of the Sugar Loaf Noun
tain, which overlooked his residence, was
given to him by his uncle.
Mr.. Corcoran's call was no sudden one.
All preparations, secular and spiritual, pos
sible were made by his own direction. The
silver chord was not cut hurriedly, nor
the golden bowl broken in an instant. No
holocaust of fire snapped his life's chord sud
denly. The chord was gently united; the
| golden bowl passed away like the murmurs
OF some beautiful song or as fades away the
soft twilight of Summers evening. Just as
the sun came up his spirit peacefully de-
parted-the pearl dropped from its wasted
shell and the light passed away.
At the close of the Winter of life, in the
close Of the Winter of the year, in the beau
'aul and romantic cemetery OF Oak Hill,
&hioa his pnnceiy munffcence had ss>eaeca-
for the interment of the dead and in a spot
chosen by himself the Venerable philanthro-
pist was placed to rest-here, every sighing
breeze that plays amid the shade will whis-
per of his gentle charities and the Winter
winds that shrek and howl through the
naked branches of the old oaks standing hard
by will speak in audible tones of his large
philanthropy.
W. w. Corcoran died peacefully early on
Friday morning OF last week. He was born
in Georgetown, d. c., in 1898, where, later,
he and his brother entered into business, and
from financial stress the business suspended
Finally every dollar of the firms liabilities
with interest was paid by Mr.. oorcoran, al
though an honorable discharge had been
granted by the creditors twenty three years
before. His prosperity began in the U. s.
Branch Bank, at Washington, which was
also the foundation Of his great banking
knowledge. He married in 1885 Uomme.
dore Morris daughter, and daughter and
sou were born to them. Mrs. Corcoran died
and was not long survived by her son. The
daughter Louise in 1849 married Hon. Gev
Eustis, of Louisiana, and died In 1867.
In 1841 Mr.. Corcoran became the financial
agent Of the State Department under Web
ster, when partnership was formed with Mr.
Riggs, and in money strait loaned the gov
ernment $4,000, 900, sustaining the credit of
the government during the Mexican war
After Webster's retirement he purchased
his dwelling, which he was living in at the
time Of his death and had years before en-
closed TO Mrs. Webster all evidences Of her
husbands indebtedness TO him, amounting
Webster made public acknowledgment Of
Among his many gifts were Oak Hill
Cemetery, Georgetown, costing $1S0,OO0; I;
the Corcoran Art Gallery $350,000; the
Louise Home and endowment fund $780,.
600; the contrib ution to Ascension church
$4,000. In later years 1t is said his charity
gifts amounted $1,000 month. Ire r5tirei
from business in 1854
The Germans are already planning for
their autumn military maneuvers. Bis.
marck's warriors have no fear of the result
OF the coming European war so far as they
are concerned, and can be counted upon to
carry out their maneuvering programme.
Written for the Sentinel.
Our Local Option Law.
One with only tolerahle knnwledce of