Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-11-20
DEATH OF W. W. CONVERSE.

HIr. Converse Expires Near Midnight
Last NiGhs-A Brave struggle With an
Incurable MalaAy-His Active Life
and Generous Characteristic Con.
necti0n with tho Winchester Arms
Company.
Mr.. William w. Converse, president Of the
Winchester Repeating Arms company, died
at his residence on Orange street last night
at 11:15 O'Clock. He had been unconscious
for hours before his demise. Mr.. Converse's
long and brave battle with disease is known
to tho public. He endured his sufferings
with heroism and Christian resignation, and
passed away in the bright hope of better
life. Symptoms Of the eancerous affection of
his throat, which caused his death, first dis
tinctly appeared about year ago. Some
months,ago he submitted to dif6eult and
delicate surgical operation, performed by DR..
McBurney of New York, in the hope of OBJ
tanning permanent relief. The relief
was, however, but temporary, and on
the 18th of last June he went to
North Adams, Mass, where he remained un-
der medical treatment until week ago,
when he was brought back to his home here.
His greatly enfeebled condition on his re-
turn foreshadowea that the end was near.
DR.. Cheney said last night that he died of
exhaustion caused by the cancerous affec-
ton and q complication of other diseases.
His powerful constitution only protracted the
unequal struggle.
With him in his last moments were his
wife, her niece, Miss Brown, of Hartford,
Mr.. Sheldon of the Yale Theological school,
an inmate of the family, two nurses and the
attending physician, DR.. Cheney.
The deceased was born in Ware, Mass.
ffty-five years ago, and came to New Haven
when he was about thirty years of age. A
few years afterwards he married a daughter
time in tho sash and blind business ON Water
street. Mr.. Converse became interested in
the business with his father-in-law and re-
manned there for some time. Afterwards he
moved to Albany and entered lumber con-
Germ as superintendent, and also had small
interest in the business.
When Lieutenant Governor Winchester
became Ill and had to retire from the manage
ment of the Winchester Repeating Arms
company he chose Mr.. Converse as his suc-
ager of the company. This was about fifteen
years ago, and some years later Mr.. Converse
became president of the company.
Mr.. Converse's first wife died about four
years ago, and about year afterwards he
married Hartford lady. After that he be-
came connected with the Church of the Re-
deemer and had since been a regular attend
ant when health permitted. He was a menu
Der of the Quinnipiae club. and also Of the
Republican league. director in the Mer-
chants bank andwas interested in number OF
other corporations.
The character of the deceased was low
able one, especially to those who knew him
intimately. He was brave, true and loyal to
his friends, genial companion and gentle
man of warm heart and high integrity: He
bravely battled against odds in his early life
and won where many would have been dis
couraged, and when prosperity came it found
him the same loyal, true and open hearted
man. His death will cause much genuine
sorrow in our city.
His aged father and mother arrived here
yesterday from their home in Ware, Mass,
and visited the deceased. The father is up
wards of 80 years of age