Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-01-10
Death of Charles II. HamilI.

Ola ana prominent feSlueHl Hol Tue
town. Ho had been i'll several months,
growing worse under increasing COM
plications of internal disorders, bat it
was only within the last few days that
the manifestations of disease became
premonitory OF an carly and fetal
issue.
Mr.. Hamill was born in Cecil coun-
ty, this State, January 10, 1922. He
was, therefore, SO years old, less 3 days.
He came to this county about so years
ago and early took a practical interest
in coal development. He was for a
number Of years superintendent of the
Frostburg coal company, the pioneer
company of the region, of which his
father-in-law, Meshech Frost, was pres
ident. With Mr.. Frost's death in 1868
the property was sold to the Consolida
ton coal company, Mr.. Hamill settling
up the extended business of the old
company. Shortly after, he organized
the Spruce Hill coal company, whose
operations he conducted about seven
years. Later he originated and project
ed the development of the Grant coal,
iron and lumber company. This ter
minated his interest in practical min
ing operations.
In 1879 he was appointed by Gov.
Carroll one of the Mine Commission,
provided for by the current mining
law, and had for his colleagues Messrs.
w. H. Smith, of Easton, and John
Ryan, of Homecoming, Nd. More than
full share of the work performed fell
to his lot, but he did 1t cheerfully, and
it was ever matter of regret with him
that the findings and suggestions of
the Commission were not fruitful of
more good.
In 1886 Gov. Lloyd appointed him
Inspector of Mines to fill the unexpired
term of Dennis Sheridan, deceased.
He held this office II little over Is
months and gave its duties undivided,
thoughtful and intelligent attention.
OF all who have held the position he
was the best qualified.
May q, 1853, he married Catharine,
third daughter of Mesheck Frost, VINO,
with four sons and three daughters.
survives. The eldest son, Thomas H.,
is. railway agent at Burnet, Texas !;
Charles H. and Mesheck P. are in
Leadville, COL. engaged in mercantile
pursuits; Mrs. Kate H. Dean lives at
Trinidad, Col. William, the youngest
son, and Misses Ida and Anna, young
est daughters, are at home.
The funeral will take place to-mor-
row Sunday morning at TO- o'clock at
st Michaers church interment in the
Catholic cemetery.
No man who ever lived in this region
felt a deeper interest in its develop
ment and prosperity than Mr.. Hamill.
Production, capacity and values were
favorite topics with him, and none
were better posted in the regions
history and resources. With keen,
quick perceptions, retentive memory
and fluent tongue, his collOqulal
powers were far above the average
In any society he was a ready talker,
but among coal men he was most at
home. Without ever having been Il
practical miner, he was fully COM
yersant with underground operations
and technique. He could entertain
the latter in Maryland III his own field
OF thought, and with equal readiness
give valuable pointers to stock brokers
on Wall street. He was democrat,
proud of his Jeffersonian conservatism,
and ii politics was one of the best
posted men of his day. Socially he
was knightly in speech, courtly in
manner, and not "a vulgar iusinuation
ever stat ned his dialect. His interest
i'll this world, his manner and CONVEX
sation never left him while conscious
ness lasted. Next to his final request
- concerning his burial-he bequeath-
ed to the JOURNAL all his mining
memorabilia-historlcal, statistical and
eXpository-collected within the half
century of this regions operations "to
the end" as he said, "that if there
was any good in them it might live
after him." He also had concern for
the hereafter he sought the consola-
tons OF religion and met death with Il
philosophy characteristic of his life
and as heroic as it was pathetic.
Though nearing the verge of life's
expectancy his death is none the less
deeply deplored by the surviving
family, the children especially feeling
they have lost a wise and loving
counselor. His successful sons owe
their promotion to his clerical train
ing and inspiration, and they haye
lost Il correspondent whose letters
teemed with expressions of warmest
interest in their welfare.
The community, therefore, SYM
pathizes with these as humanity does
with all who lose by death.
n Tribute.
IAN Admiring Brother Physician
sends the JOURNAL the following lines