Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-12-13
THE KENNEBECKER"
Capt. John 4. Drew Of Farming
dale, Dead,
The ED Cauad BY ParaIysis-.-An
EVsBtiul Life Closed.
Accidental 5hoosiog at Caribou
RockIand and Belfast uews.


Tsp al 10 the KEssEBEc JouRsALl.
GAgDIsER, Dse. I2.-Cart. John II.
Drew, better known as the "Kennebscker"
Of the Bo.ton Journal, ard . retired ship
master, died at bis home in Fnminsdsle
las. evening" at 10 81 o'clock, from shock
of paralysis. la narch, 1883. Capt. Drew
in command Of his ship, the Sea Witch
was caught of Hatteras in the severe blow
which wrecked so many vessels, and for
ten days ard nights paced the deck of his
vessel or stood his trick" at The wheel
without A moments rest The long con-
tinued strain on constitution usually
strong was very severe, and on his arrival
at his home he suffered partial paralysis
Of bis left side from which he never fully
recovered About eight months ago he
fell from a chair at his home an accident
which was keenly felt. Yesterday he came
TO the city to transact some business and
returned home a, noon He ate hearty
dinner aEd with his accustomed good nature
told several ampsing anecdotes. After
dinner he went in to another room for q
short nap. He had slept but fifteen minutes
when he got up and hurried TO the
kitchen but fell just as he passed the
door. His wife's brother. Mr.. Chsries
Lancaster, suecee ded in catching him before
be reached the floor and carried him again
to the sofa. Medical attendance was sum
moned bu. he did not regain consciousness.
Capt Drew was born IN that part of Hal
lowell which is now Chelsea, Jan. l, 1884,
nj ii of He hpUap
a seafuiug life at the age of IA years aud
followed 1t his entire lifetime ri-iag to
position where he commando the highest
salary Of any merchant ship master in the
service. He was man who studied his pro-
fession and strove in every honorable way to
advance its interest Much of his success is
due to sturdy belief in right and an al
mot perfect Knowledge of human nature.
He WAS ever popular with his men. Capt.
Drew was prominent as literary man
through the letters which he contributed TO
the Boston journal on the "Cruise Of the
Sea Witch" and other sketches written un-
DIR the non de plume of "kennebeeker "
They we're spicy, oringinal, and above
all, true to life -. the happenings
of himself and his ships crew as told
by man thoroughly familiar with every
part of his good ship. He was prominently
mer toned as a candidate for Commissioner
of Navigation to succeed Col. C. B. Nor
ton, and for many years has acted as OBJ
server for the Meteroloqical department of
TIE U 5. Signal Service. For the last
fourteen years of bis service as sea cap
tain he sailed in the ship Sea Witch owned
by Wm. + Weld 6 Co, of Boston, and
later by Edwsrl Lawrence of the same
place. He made the circle of the world
many times ard is credited with having
made the fastest trip between Boston
and San Francisco ever made in sailing
vessel. Capt Drew was fond of collecting
Gu los from other counties and his home
was the final resting place of many beau
tiful and Interesting souvenir. He WAS
cord ally liked h-re in Gardiner and wher-
ever he was known, his genial, frank dis
portion Winning him hosts of friends. He
leaves wife, formerly Louise Lancaster
daughter Of the late Capt Daniel Lancss-
ter. three sons, one of whom, Daniel L.
Drew, is in banking business in Phil
ad,lphia, and two daughters, one
Of whom. Mrs. Henry W. Perry
resides iu Boston. His father and
mother are also living. The funeral will
be he Ia from his late home, Grant street,
Farmiugdale, on Sunday afternoon at
o'clock. the services to be conducted by
Rev. X. w. jenkins.