Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-05-24
DR.. SYMINGTON DEAD.
The Sad Event Occurred at Baltimore
Last Night-Sketch of an Event
full and Useful Life-MOurn-
ing in Santa Fe.

Yesterdays New MEXICAN contained an
announcement, based upon a private let
ter from Baltimore, that DR.. John Sym
ington was improving in health and that
his condition was considered hopeful
This pleasing information was supple
mented this morning by a telegram to
Major Palen conveying the shocking It'd
ings that DR.. Symington died at Johns
Hopkins hospital, in Baltimore, at 9:15
last night. Several months ago the de-
ceased discovered that he was breaking
down, and, as soon as he could arrange
his affairs here, went to Baltimore with
his wife for treatment. But the disease
from which he was suffering Justification
or hardening of the llver-had proceeded
too far to yield to treatment and death
ensued as recorded.
Dr. John Symington was born in Balti-
more, Nd, about 4S years ago. He be-
longed to an excellent family. His father
Col. John Symington, was for many years
connected with the ordinance department
of the United States army and remained
loyal to the union during the war. Young
John, however, ardenty espoused the
cause of the south, ran away from school
and joined the Confederate army as n
private at the age of Is years. He went
through much hard service in a Confed-
crate battery for several years and con-
tracted chronic diarrhna from which he
never fully recovered.
At the close of the war he returned to
Baltimore and resumed his studies. After
completing thorough academic course
he graduated with honor at the Baltimore
me dical college and devoted several years
to the practice of his profession in the
hospitals of Baltimore, Philadelphia and
New York. Thus he became thoroughly
equipped physician and surgeon.
Then he settled in st. Louis, where he
met with so many discouragements that
for while he seriously meditated enlist
ing in the regular army. just at this
critical time in his life, Col. Smith, for
merly medical director of the department
of Arizona, came to the rescue and recon-
mended the d1sheartened young physician
to move to New Mexico. This advice
was followed and in 1867 DR.. Symington
crossed the plains from Kansas City to
Santa Fe with bull train. Among his
companions on this long and tiresome
trip were Mrs. Chavez and her young son
| Francisco, afterwards sheriff of Santa Fe
county, who was assissinated on Guada-
| lupe street bridge on the night of May 30,
1892. The friendship then formed be-
tween DR.. Symington and Frank Chavez
was enduring.
After brief sojourn in Santa Fe DR..
Symington settled at Albuquerque, where
he successfully practiced his profession
for four or five years. There he married
Miss Armiio, daughter of Hon. Ambrosio
Armijo, with whom he lived most happily
until death claimed him. He returned tc
Santa Fe in the spring of 1873 and has re-
sided here ever since.
Nearly every resident of Santa Fe per
sonally knew DR.. Symington, and the new:
of his death will sadden many hearts. HI
was brilliant man both professionally
and socially. More than this. He was al
honest and painstaking as he was tai
ented and capable. His CHEEKY and hope
full voice proved helpful tonic-some
times more effective than medicine--il
many a sick room. He struggled hare
and achieved many triumphs in his noble
profession. Peace to his long sleep.
Besides the sadly bereaved widow DR.
Symington leaves a namesake, brigh
young man of II years, who is attending
school in Exeter, N. H. Life insuranc
to the amount of $4,000 testifes to thu
tender and thoughtful affection he cher
ished for his wife and boy. His othe
living'relatives are an unmarried siste
in Baltimore and brother in st. Louis
1t is presumed that the body will b.
buried at Baltimore.