The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-11
DEATH OF DR.. STIFEL
Game Not Unexpectedly Yesterday
MornIng.
VICTIM OF AN lNCURHBLE MaLAOY
Which Claimed Its Victim While still
in Life's Prlme-sIretch of tho De-
ceased, Who Was Universally Liked
and Responsibilities Mortem Held
last Night.

Dr. Albert Frederick Stiiel died yes
tsrday morning after sad and linger-
ing illness. at his residence on Chapline
street. His death has been more or
less expected in the community for
some time, it being generally known
that although everything known to the
medical profession had been done to
effect a cure, all had failed.
The doctor was until comparatively
short time ago supposed to enjoy excel
lent health, but last December it be-
came evident that his eyesight was fast
failing, Failing eyesight was soon fol-
lowed by total blindness. Since then
the most eminent medical men OF the
land have been consulted, but without
ofIecting any relief. Ho went to Pass
Christian, a noted winter resort on the
Gulf, and from there to Hot Springs.
Nothing seemed to do any good, and
the conviction was forced on the patient
and his family that he was the victim
Of an incurable malady,
Death has been expected for three
days, and came yesterday morning
shortly after O'Clock, while the
family and physicians were about the
bedside.
Albert Frederick stifet was born in
Wheeling, July %, 1855, son Of the late
], l.. Stifel. His boyhood and school
days were spent here, and early in life
lie entered into mercantile pursuits,
frat in the establishment OF List &
Hubbard, druggists, in 1869. Two years
later he entered tho Philadelphia Col.
lege OF Pharmacy,and in 1878 graduated
from that institution. He then became
chief clerk in Ditman's Aston House
pharmacy, New York,
With an aptitude often remarked
upon for medical pursuits, it was not
strange that he should decide to enter
that noble calling, and in 1875 he
crossed the Atlantic and took medical
courses in Germany, first at tho Uni
versity of Nuremberg, Bavaria, for two
years, and later at the University OF
LeipzIg, where he graduated February
u, 1879. Following these studies he
spent six months in the hospitals at
Vienna.
He commenced the practice OF med.
jcine in his native town in the fall OF
10, and continued here until his un.
timely death.
In juno, 1886, he married Miss Louise
stiefel, Of Pittsburgh, who although OF
similar name was not n relative. His
wife survives, together with four child
rem, three sons and daughter, Irene,
Richard, Ernest and John. Three
brothers reside hero, George E., Will
lam F., and Louis c., and another,
Charles, lives in Allegheny.
DR.. Stitel, as well US being a promin-
Ont member OF the local medical fratern-
lily. occupied many other responsible
and honorable positions. For several
years no was regent of the West Vir-
gina University at Morgantown; served
US n United States pension examiner;
was for two years president of the Fort
Henry club; founder and first president
OF the Arion literary section; secretary
OF Altenheim. He was stakeholder in
the Warwick pottery. He was a pro-
mlnent member OF tho medical society,
and its members are to take suitable
action on his death.
1t was DR.. Stifel himself who first
diagnosed his case correctly. The
physicians were long in doubt as to
what could cause the symptoms which
marked his atllictlon. 1t was finally
suggested that a tumor in the brain was
tho cause, aud as he grew worse the
fact that the sight OF both eyes was
affected led tho doctor himself to the
decision that the tumor was at the
point OF the brain, where the two optic
nerves cross. Other skilled physicians
afterwards, and without information OF
tho patients idea, reached tho same
conclusion.
Last night an autopsy was held to do,
eide the real source OF the trouble. The
operation was witnessed by at least
one-Ilalf Of the physicians Of the city.
II was found that the diagnosis OF the
physicians was. correct. The brain was
found to weigh 81 ounces, and the
tumor removed from the optic nerve
weighed an ounce and half
The first shock OF DR.. Stifel's inevi.
table doom Camo to most OF his friends
upon his recent sad return to his home
to die, but before that some OF his
closest friends saw the truth. Even
with tho warning that he could not live,
the announcement Of his death yester.
day caused tho deepest and sincerest
sorrow that lfO OF such noble promise
must end 80 soon. He was resigned to
his fate, and calmly awaited tho APP
proach OF tho end. 1t was his expecta'
tion that the autopsy should be made, as
boon to science, and tho family
yielded to this idea.
A representative OF ono OF Wheeling'a
most prominent and useful families, he
promised to add increased lustre to the
name. His death is not merely family
bereavement, 1t is a public loss.