Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-11-02
Death of Ex-Governor Hamilton.

of Maryland died at his home In ma
gerstown shortly after noon last FIJI
day. His death was not unexpected,
and he was surrounded by his family
and intimate friends when he died
The sickness of Ex-Gov. Hamilton
dates back about a year, during thls
time being afflicted with liver trouble
and indigestion. During the month
of June last it assumed serious
character, and from that time on his
decline was gradual and he was con-
fined to his house almost constantly.
On several occasions he rallied and
the hope was frequently entertained
that he would recover. Blood poison
ing ensued and his lungs became I'M
plicated. 1t soon became apparent
to his attending physicians that he
was beyond the aid of human skill
and in this opinion they were sup
ported by DR.. Chew, of Baltimore,
who was called in consultation. When
informed of his condition, he accepted
the inevitable philosophically, appear
ing to be reconciled TO the approach
of the end, his courage never failing
him, even to the last moment OF con-
seriousness. His mind remained clear
almost to the last, considering and
directing business transactions with
the same earnestness and Judgment
for which he was noted. AS an evil
dence of this. we understand that he
executed his will during the past week
1t is understood that his wife will be
left in control of his property during
her life.
He was undoubtedly the wealthiest
man in Washington county, his pos
sessions embracing twenty-five hun
dred acres of the most fertile land III
this county, made so through his
energy and personal supervision, and
which is said to be worth 800 an acre.
Besides land estate, he owns the fine
country residence near East HGgers-
town station, his own home on Wash
ington street, Hotel Hamilton, the
postoflice building, and numerous
other private buildings in Hagers-
town. He had, at the time OF his
death, about forty thousand dollars
of stock in the Baltimore and Ohio
besides controlling a great many local
mortgages. He was the largest stock
holder in the Hagerstown Steam
Engine Works. and the Hagerstown
Bank. He was also large holder OF
stock in the Washington County Water
Company, Rose Hill Cemetery, Mutual
Insurance Company of Washington
county, various turnpike companies
and several other local corporations,
holding important positions i'll the
management Of these concerns.
Ex-Gov Hamilton was born Sept. 8
! 1920 in Hagerstown, and was gradua-
ted at Jefferson College, Pa. He was
admitted to the bar in lS43, and three
wears later he was elected by the
Democrats to the House of Delegates.
In 1910 he was elected TO Congress
and served three terms, but in 1868
was defeated. During the war he
took no active interest i'll political al
fairs, but after the adoption of the
Constitution of 1867 ran for Governor
against the Hon. Odon Bowie, and
was beaten by a majority of one. In
1868 he succeeded the Hon. William
Pinckney Whyte in the United States
Senate and in 1919 he was again
candidate for Governor, but was de-
feated by the Hon. John Lee Carroll.
He ran once more in 1879, and was
| elected. Some differences arose be-
tween Gov. Hamilton and the mana
gers of his party i'll the House and
the Senate, and for more than two
wears a vigorous contest was carried
on He was especially emphatic i'll
| his denunciation of the management
of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
| the tobacco warehouses, etc. He
made many reforms as Governor, and
| his administration was marked by
constant warfare between himself and
those who opposed his policy. At the
expiration of his term as Governor he
returned to private life and employed
himself in experimenting his farms.
The funeral services were held at
the home of the deceased on Monday
afternoon, and were conducted by
Rev. DR.. O. II. Tiffany, of New York,
assisted by Rev. W. a. Mitchell. \
number of Shepherdstown gentlemen
were in attendance.