Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-22
Death of . Weil-Known Citizen at an Early
Hour This Morning

WILLIAM H. CLAGETT DEAD.
Death of Weil-Known Citizen at an Early
Hour This Morning.
| Mr.. William H. Clagett died at S o'clock this
morning at his residence, lOo6 10th street. The
end came SO quietly and peacefully that he
passed away as one who drops into a gentle
siumber. 1t was the end Of long and plucky
struggle against the inroads of disease.
Through it all the patient never lost that un-
failing good humor which was a characteristic
of his life.
Several times during the long period of the
continuance Of the sickness those about him
thought that the end was near. Mr. Clagett,
however, persisted in taking an active interest
in life, and his sick room the place
where the latest news Of the day was
heard with the greatest interest. His
/ humorous observations on current events
| found their way about the city and when the
patient became tired. as he said. of watching
the leaves on the trees in front of his house. be
announced his determination TO so out. An
| idea of this sort he managed to carry out if at
all possible. For more than two years Mr..
! Clagett has been invalid suf-
| ferlng from complication of diseases.
His trouble finally resolved itself into dropsi-
cal affection. which was the immediate cause of
/ ucNeu. year ago June MI Nlagett de-
/ cided to go TO Europe and try the effect of some
celebrated springs. especially those at Carlsbad.
great many of his friends were surprised when
they heard Of the proposed trip. they
| supposed he was too near deaths door to be
l thinking of going to Europe. However. he
went, and while he was not specially benefited
/ by the trip, still he was not injured and he
came back alive, which was more than his
| friends thought that he would be able TO do
his disease took more serious turn last sum
mer, and his last and fatal sickness
may be said to date from that time Mr.
Clage.t did not lose his grip or his interest in life
As long as it was possible he brought down
stairs in the elevator and carried to a chair on
the grass at the front door where he could get
a more extended glimpse of the world
| than was afforded from the windows
of his bed room He heard 80 much about the
| decorations of the city in honor of the Grand
| Army encampment that be made up his mind
to go out and see it for himself. So on the day
1 before the parade he was borne 10 a carriage
and slowly driven through the streets of the
| city. 1t was the last time that his ewes
rested upon the places which had become So
dear to him through the many Years of his life
! IN this city. II WIS more than idle curiosity
that stimulated him to leave his bed and once
more pass through the streets of Washington.
Mr.. Clagett loved the city where he had been
born and to whose material interests the wears
Of his prime had been devoted
| He was always public-spirited man and
when there was to be meeting Of citizens to
promote a project for the public good i. was
always considered desirable that Mr.. Clagett
/ should be there to the proper
spirit He had a bluff, hearty man
ner and certain dry humor which
caused his savings to be passed
from month to month. Perhaps no private
citizen was better known in this city than Will
| liam h. Clagett. and during his long career he
preserved unsullied the integrity OF character
which was one of his chief characteristics.
Mr.. Clagett spent all the sixty-five years of
his life in this city. His father Darns Clagctt.
lived here for number of years. although he
was not native of the District, having
been born in Maryland. Darius Clagett
( first engaged in mercantile business
in Georgetown and then removed TO this CITY
He had a large family of thirteen chill
dren. five Of whom still survive. Two sons and
n daughter live in this city. One son is a resi-
dent of Richmond and one daughter resident
| of New York.
| SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
| William H. Clagett was born in a house on
10th street and received his education in u pri-
vate school kept by Mr.. Mcleod. Before he
of age he took a notion that he would like 10
go seafaring. He accordingly shipped and
made several voyages. Upon his return he
assisted his father in business. and finally FORM
ing partnership with Mr.. William Shuster n
store was opened on Market space Mr. Clagett
"sls uot MO" III seeing tue future growth OF
the city, and in 1867. retiring from the dry
goods business. he began to deal in real
estate as a broker. He continued in this
business until he virtually retired from active
life. He became interested in the public affairs
of the city, and good citizen he took his
part in any movement which was designed to
! advance the interests of the city. His active
identification with city affairs will be remem-
bered by those who lived here at that time
When the territorial form of go eminent OF the
District was adopted he made member of
the legislature and he became distinguished for
his opposition to legislation which af.erward
proved disastrous or notorious On the con-
trary, all measures of merit received his hearty
support At time he held the Office of
Chairman of the board of assessors. He was
one Of the first to see the future
OF the eastern section of the
city. and 1t was mainly through
his efforts that the Columbia street railway
was built. He served secretary and treasurer
OF that organization and subsequently, became
president of the company. His name was
several times suggested for The position of Dis
trict Commissioner. OF late, owing to his en-
feebled health, he has not taken that
active part in public affairs which
he would have done under other conditions
Mr. Ciagett leaves wife and six children to
mourn his loss. He a man who had a host
of friends and his dea IN will be deeply mourned
The arrangements for the funeral have not vet
been made.