The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-28
DIED IN THE CHURCH.
Contractor Charles X. Brown
Suddenly Passes Away.
WHILE PUSHING HIS WORK.
He Drops Over Dead in the Uneom-
An Ind ustrions, Honest Man.

Charles r. Brown. the wealthy con-
tractor. dropped dead in the gallery OF the
new First Presbyterian church. which he
was building, corner of Fourth and
Spring streets, yesterday afternoon, from
an attack of yalvular heart disease.
Mr.. Brown obtained the contract for the
building OF the Presbyterian church last
spring and commenced work in June.
About six weeks ago he suffered severe
attack Of pleurisy and, although at times
since then he has been able to be out, he
has never been we'll. A few days ago he
began to suffer severe shooting pains in
the chest and about the heart, Christmas
being his worst day. Tuesday evening,
however, he felt better, and yesterday.
despite his wife's entreaties to remain
at home, thought he was able to go
to the church and see how the
work was progressing. He found that
the men were putting on the finishing
touches to the large edifice and that 1t
would not take long to complete the
work. With Architect c. A. Alex
ender he went to the gallery and sat down
on one of the steps that leads down 10 the
railing. moment later he swooned AMI
fell backward. Mr.. Alexander sprang to
his assistance. thinking that ne had only
tainted, and placed coat, improvised into
pillow. under his head. Thomas Bren-
gen, one of the carpenters. hurried after a
physician, while others went for water.
The stricken man. however, sank with
great rapidity and was dead in less than
three minutes, never having revived
enough to utter q word. DIR. Eagleson and
Coroner Horton viewed the remains and
kax- q b..
other. that death must have been the d.
rect result of valvular heart disease. The
remains were taken to Bonney & Stewards
undertaking rooms and after being pre-
pared for burial were removed To the
family residence. ], 900 Cedar street.
Charles Il. Brown was born in Memel. a
seaport city in Prussia. at the northern
extremity of the German empire. thirty
seven years ago. He was of German pa
rentsge and at an early age was appren-
ticed to the captain of an ocean ship. He
had not passed his tenth year when he
reached Cape Cod on the Atlantic. From
that time on until he came TO Seattle, fif-
teen years ago, he was connected with
ocean fishing boats. Naturally an ambi-
tious, industrious man he made good use
of his experience with the world and in
vested his money in Seattle property.
Moreover he applied himself with energy
to the business of contracting. his most
notable work previous to the FIRST Presoy-
terrain church. now under construction,
being Trinity Episcopal church. one of the
most unique as we'll as handsome temples
in the city. He was married here about
ten years ago TO Miss Abbie Dodge. the
fruits of that union being four children,
three sons-Leroy. Earle and Frederick
and one daughter-iarnet. Little Garnet
| is at Edison, but telegram was sent last
night for her to return home Immediately.
Mr.. Brown was a prominent member of
ST. Johns Lodge, No. 9. +. d A. NJ, I'M
| der whose auspices the services will prob
| ably be held some time tomorrow. Mrs.
Browns parents, who live at Sunnydae.
were notified of their daughters husbands
death last evening, and started for Seattle
at once. Mr.. Brown had many acquaint-
ances in the city, and was universally
known as man OF fine character and
| principles.