Evening star., 1896-10-19
DEATH OF OTIS c. WIGHT
Beloved Teacher Passed Away Early This
Morning.
Hundreds Have Studied Under HaA-
His Long Career in This
City.

Mr.. Otis C. Wight died at 6 O'Clock this
morning at his residence. 900 Indiana ave-
nue.. He had been in bad health for some
months past. and the announcement OF his
death will not come with the shock Of a
sudden surprise to his circle of friends and
acquaintances. While a great sufferer dur
ing the past few months. his physical con-
dftion showed remarkable vitality, especial
ly In view Of his advanced age. 1t was not
until yesterday that his attending physi-
clan. DR.. w. w. Johnston, gave up hope of
bis recovery. Mr.. Wight's long residence
in this city and his prominence as an edu-
Gator as well as the great interest which
he manifested In all matters Of public con-
Germ. made him In many respects a notable
figure in this community. 1t will be with
sincere regret that the news Of his death
will be heard in this community. 1t is the
fortune of but few men to have had such
wide acquaintance as Mr.. Wight enjoyed,
and to have exercised the influence that he
Gid for SO many years.
Mr.. Wight was born in Westford, Mass,
August Il, 1877. He attended school at
Groton, In that state, and became a teacher
there in 1888. Four years later he grad
uated from Dartmouth College. In that
year he left his native state and came to
the locality where his subsequent life Is
passed. In 1872 he became the principal of
the academy at Rockville. Nd, and DR..
Samuel c. Busey of this city was one of his
pupils in that school. He went from Rock
vile to Cincinnati for the purpose of fol-
lowing his profession. but left that place
On account Of the prevalence of cholera.
He then came TO Ibis city. the date being
February, 1S49. He purchased the Ritten-
house Academy, which was at that time
owned by Rev. Joseph E. Nourse. who
conducted the school which he had estab-
lished there some seven years before. 1t
was located on the south side of Indiana
avenue between Sd and Az streets. and at
fhn tty,ND
erty 1t was improved by a one-story build
ihg with basement. The year after he
became the owne: of the property Mr.
Wlghs ADDED a story to the building, and
In 1852 he improved the basement so as to
provide increased facilities. He continued
as principal of this academy until June
1892. when the condition of mis- health COM
PEELED him to give up active work. During
the last two years Of his life he lived in
house which was one Of two built on the
site OF the old academy where he taught
60 long. In July. 1S47, he married Isabella
Buchanan, daughter of Lloyd Archibald
July l. 1884,
When Mr.. Wight came to this city in
lS49 he united with the First Presbyterian
Church. and In 1883 he was ordained as
Iunng elder. which position he held up to
the time OF his death. one of the present
co-pastors of the church, Rev Dr. Byron
sunderland. preaching the sermon on the
oGSasion OF MS installation as elder
For more than forty years Mr.. Wight
was at the head of one Of the leading edu-
cationai institutions of the city, and during
that period he sent forth from his schools
large number of pupils, who are todav
occupying prominent and influential nosi-
tlohs IN nearly every walk of life. He was
Ior some years a member of the board of
Schooi trustees, and was president of the
Young Mems Christian Associa tion and
was active In organizing that important
Dranch OF Christian work. He was man
OF sterling character. and had the respect
ana a., esteem OF every one who knew him.
wight, John b. Wight and Lloyd b. Wight
funeral services will be held at the First
frespyterian Church Wednesday afternoon
ciate. The interment, which will he at 0aL
Hill, will be private. ' "0A