The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-06
FRED. DOUGLASS DEAD.
Stricken Down Suddenly While Talking to
His Wife in Washington.

Frederick Douglass. freedman, orator and
diplomat. died suddenly Of heart failure at
his residence, iu Anacosta. suburb
Of Washington City. His death was
unexpected, as he had been enjoy
ing the best Of health. During the
afternoon he attended the convention Of the
Women Of the United States, and chatted
with Susan B. Anthony and other OF the lead
ing member. with whom he has been on
intiiaat" terms f"r many year,. Return
ins TO Ceda. Hall. nj, residence. he
dln"d with his wife and recounted to her the
proceedings Of the day. He was to have
delivered lecture during the evening
in the Hillsdale African Church, near
his residence, and was in the hall
way. with his wife. waiting for his carriage
Just As tie carriage drove up to the door he
G:isped. and. putting his hand to hh breast,
fell to his knees and then rolled over on the
iiDor. His wife raised his head, saw that he
was unconscious and, ~ she was alone in
tho house, ran to the door and invoked the
assistance of some pedestrians. One Of them
summoned DR.. J. Stewart Harrison, whose
home is not far away, End rs he was endear-
oring to restore Mr.. Douglass death came.
Frederick Douglass was born In February,
1877. in Tuckahoe, near Easton, Nd. His
mother was i slave woman and his father a
white man. He was & slave on the planta-
ticu Of Colonel Edward Lloyd. Mr.. Doug
lass remained withhim until September. 1888,
when he made his escape, going from Balti-
more TO Philndelph and thence to New York
City. Two weeks later hc made his appear
ance in New Bedford and worked as 4
ship caulker. 1t was at this juncture Of his
life that he chose the name under which he
achieved fame. Els mothor had named bim
Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, but
IN New Bedford his employer. Nathan John
sIon. chri5tened him Douglass. taking tho
name from Scott's LADY of the Lake." Mr..
Douglass remained in New Bedford for
three years and became an agent Of the
Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, leetur-
ing throughout the State. He married n
full blooded African woman, and. accom-
punied by her, started on a l. cturing tour
through mis- State. Then he went into Ohio
and Indiana, and On the completion of the
trip sailed for England. On June 2, 1872,
his house in Rochester was burned by incen-
diaries and many valuable papers destroyed.
From that time until 1881 he was active in
public work. He became q trustee Of the
Freedman's Bank; was sent on q mission
to San Domingo, and then was ap-
pointed member Of the council for the
government OF the District of Columbia.
He was chosen Presidential elector at
large for the State; selected to convey the
electoral vote to the capital; einvited to
speak at the monument of the unknown
dead at Arlington; appointed Marshal Of the
District of Columbia by President Hayes,
and Recorder Of Deeds by President Garfield.
President Harrison appointed him Minister
Resident and Consul General to Hayti.
The Haytians, although OF African descent
themselves. refused to receive Mr. Douglass
as persona grata, and he returned to this
country on board 4 United States man-of-
war. since that time he has lived in retire.
ment. The personal appearance of Mr.
Douglass was rather imposing. He was tall,
powerfully built and finely modelled, with O
swarthy complexion and an abundance Of
white hair. Mr. Douglass leaves two sons
and daughter, the children Of his first wife.
His second wife, white woman, suryiyes
him,