Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-24
DEATH OF HON MN. .. scorr.
The Ex-Congressman, Manufacturer and
Railroad Manager Expires nj Newport.


Railroad Manager Expires Mt Newport.
NEWPORT, R. l., Sept. 20.-Ex-Con-
gresham w. l.. Scott is dead. His
demise was very sudden, and occurred
shortly before midnight last night. Mr..
Scott had long been sufferer from
acute gastro-intestinal catarrh, and two
weeks ago he was brought here from
his home in Erie, Pa. The doctor was
of the opinion that the climate would
be beneficial. This belief was realized,
for he began to gain at once, and his
Improvement continued till Friday.
During the afternoon of that day he
had an attack of heart failure, and
another on Saturday, rallying quite
easily the first time, but with more diff
Guilty on the second occasion. Another
attack occurred at II o'clock, last night,
from which he could not be revived,
and death finally ensued. The family
leave with the remains in the morning
for their home in Eric.
DR.. William Pepper, who has attended
Mr.. Scott during his illness, said the
death of that gentleman was very sud-
den and unexpected, and was due to re-
peated heart failures, his gastric trouble
having improved, and there has been no
organic disease of the stomach, bowels
or kidneys.
William L. Scott was born in the city
of Washington, D. c., July I'd, 1928,
his parents being residents Of Virginia.
He received common,school education,
and served as page in the House Of
Representatives froma 1910 until 1S46.
Arthur Z. German was then a page in
the Senate. General Reed, the member
of Congress from Erie, Pa, became
interested in the boy Scott, and took
him to work in the generals large ship
ping house. The boy went to work with
will, doing anything that came to
hand, from peddliug fish to keeping
books. In 1850 he started in business
for himself. He succeeded, and soon
had several vessels on the lakes. He
married sister of Frank d. G. Tracey,
who at the time of his death was presi-
dent of the Chicago, Rock Island and
| Pacific railroad The lady was wealthy
in her own right, and Mr.. Tracey helped
his young hrother-in-law to make valu-
able friends, among them Samuel J.
Tilden and Commodore Cornelius Van
derbilt. Mr.. Scott became interested in
the manufacture Of iron and the mining
of coal, as well as the construction OF
railways. He owned coal mines in
Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and
as either president or director controlled
over 1900 miles of railway. He EN-.
ployed 10000 men. His fortune is est.
mated at $15,000,O00
Mr.. SCOTS political career is interest,
ing. He was district delegate to the
National Democrats Convention held
in the city of New York in 1868, dele.
gate-at-large from the state of Pennsyl
vania to the Democratic national con,
vention held in Cincinnati in 1860 and
also represented the state Of Pennsylya
mia in the Democratic national commit
tee from 1876 till 1884 He was elected
mayor of Erie in 1866 and again in 1871
He was elected to the 49ih Congress as q
| Democrat. In this campaign II Is sale
that he spent $4,000, forcing his opro
nent to a like lavish use of money
Scott overcome the Republican majority
of the district, but his opponent was
almost ruined financially by the cam.
paign. Mr.. Scott was reelected to the
50th Congress, but declined to rnr
again, as his business interest claimed
all his attention. He was warm friend
Of Mr.. Cleveland. When the campaigi
for the 49th Congress was at its heigh
Mr. Scott proposed TO Mr.. German tina
if successful they would celebrate it BY
dinner at Delmonico's, which wa
accordingly done, the dinner being
most lavish one.