Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-12
WILLIAM B. WEBB DYING
The Physician Expects His Death at Any
Moment
A Well-KnOwn Citizen Passing Away
His Career ns nm OMcial and ms
Member of the Bar.

Mr.. William 3. Webb, ex-Commissioner
of the District of Columbia, and a member
of the law firm Of Webb. Webb & Lindsey,
Is lying critically i'll at hts residence, 1915
street northwest, and is not expected to
live throughout the night.
Mr.. Webb has not been in good health for
some time past, but was able to attend the
annual banquet OF the Society of Cincinna-
tus, in Baltimore. February %. While on
the trip he; contracted a severe cold, which
developed into grip.
Mr.. Webb was up Sunday last and dined
with the members of lis household, but
Tuesday he grew worse, and was put to
bed. Almost Immediately it became appar-
ent that the grip had aggravated long
standing affection Of the brain. Since Tues
day Mr.. Webb has been unconscious, at
times his breathing becoming so faint as
to be almost imperceptible The family
physician, DR.. Lincoln, has notified the
family that death may be expected at any
moment.
His Career.
Mr.. Webb was born in this city nearly
seventy-one years ago, the actual date be-
ing September II, 1928. He received his
education in private schools in this city and
at a boarding school near Baltimore, and in
1910 he entered the freshman class of CO.
lumbia College (now the Columbian Univer-
sity) of this city, and graduated in 1874,
taking the degree of B.A. from that insti-
tuition, which afterward bestowed upon him
the degree of Master of Arts. He studied
law and was admitted to the bar of the
District of Columbia In 1s47, and COM
menced the practice of his chosen profess
sion in his native city
On the breaking out of the late war he
was elected captain of a company of vol
untcers and offered the services of himself
ana his company to the government, but
there being no organization of troops at the
time to which the company could be as.
signed, his offer was not accepted. In the
fall of 1861 upon the formation of the
metropolitan police for the District of Co
lumbia, he was elected by the Board OF
police superintendent, appointed by Pres
ldent Lincoln under act OF Congress of that
year, superintendent OF the force which
office he accepted
He was the first to hold that position
and after successfully organizing the force
he resigned his position in 1863, and re-
sulned the practice OF his profession, which
pointed by President Cleveland the repub-
| 1unlbia.
In the discharge Of the duties of this Of
flee he had special charge Of the public
schools, and displayed great interest in
their welfare and prosperity.
during. his administration manual train
ing, sowing and cooking schools became a
feature Of the system At the expira tion
OF his term of service he was reappointed
by the President, but the Senate failing to
act upon his nomination he again, in 1899
returned to the practice of his profession,
which he has continued down to the time OF
his illness. He is the author of Webb's
Digest of the District Lawsfand Ordinances
Mr.. Webb has large circle Of friends
and acquaintances in this city, by whom
his death will be sincerely mourned. He
pleasant smile and cordial manner marked
his intercourse with his fellows in what
ever grade of life. He has always been
identihcd with the interests of the city
thing that would contribute to the ad-
vancement of the community where he has
spent his life. !: