Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-04
THOMAS wALKER elLMER.
An Ronored Secretary of the Navy. Who
Seems to be Forgotten.

An Bonored Secretary of the Navy. Who
Seems TO be Forgotten.
To the Editor Of the Re9istsr:
SIR:-Since the death Of Secretary
Window, an event which has thrown a
shadow of sadness over the entire ma
tion, many journals have published
what purports to be list of the cabinet
officers who have died in office, but
singularly enough, no; one Of these
lists make mention OF one honored
name, and that name in which every
Virginian has an earnest pride. That
one name Is that Of
THOMAS WALKER GILMER.
He was born at Gilmerton, Albemarle
county, Virginia, April 9th, 1909, and
was educated at Charlottesville and
Staunton. He studied law at Liberty,
Bedford county, and began the practice
Of his profession at Charlottesville. de
represented Albemarle county in the
General Assembly from 1929 to 1910,
with the exception Of two SEES
sions, and was speaker
of the lower house during the sessions
OF 1898 and 1899. February IA, ls40,
he was elected Governor OF Virginia,
but few months later resigned to &C
cept seat in Congress. February IA,
1914, President Tyler appointed him
Secretary of the Navy. But his labors
were now nearing an end. He was
killed by the bursting Of gun on board
the American war steamer Princeton,
at Mount Vernon, February IS, 1874
fourteen days after his appointment.
Thus persisted Thomas Walker Gilmer,
one OF Virginla's honored sons and a
representative American, in the very
harvest-teld of life.
THE CATAsTHRoPE.
The appointment OF Mr.. Gilmer was
at once confirmed by the Senate, and he
Immediately entered upon the discharge
OF his duties, determined TO carry into
his department the reforms which he
had advocated in Congress.
The new war steamer Princeton lay
at the docks on the Potomac; her power
full armament attracted the attention OF
the new Secretary of the
Navy. and by the invitation OF
Captain Stockton, her builder
and commander, he, with large party
Of distinguished persons, among whom
were several ladies', went on board to
witness the trial OF the powers OF the
new man-of-war, on voyage down the
Potomac. The day was bright and
pleasant and was one of rare social
qualification, but with the setting OF the
sun, terrible accident spread disaster
all around. The vessel had been far
tln hay nd uyal ratnrninU
to her moorings at the docks OF the
National Capital. Slowly she steamed
past Mount Vernon, and the gunnerS
were firing the accustomed salute when
passing the tomb of Washington. The
largest gun in the armament was
being discharged the third time,
when ii burst with terrible
explosion, and killed instantly the
Secretary Of the Navy, Thomas w.
Gilmer; the Secretary Of State, Abel p.
Upshur; Commodore Beverly Kennon,
Chief of one Of the Naval Bureaus; Viz
gil Maxey, recently Charge d Aifaires
TO the Hague; Hon. David Gardiner, OF
New York, who was accompanied by
his daughter Julia, (who became the
second wife OF President Tyler;) three
domestics and seriously wounded
twelve Of the crew. The dire calamity
cast a gloom over the entire nation.
Abel =. Upshur, Secretary OF State,
who persisted, was, like Gilmer, an emf
nent Virgnian. Two West Virginia
counties -Gimer and Upshur-the
former created in 1s45 and the latter in
1851, commemorate their memory and
perpetuate their names.
VIRGIL A. LEWIS.
Pt. Pleasout, ". Ia, February 2, 1891.