Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-04-15
A SUDDEN DEATH.
Mr.. Thomas Fitzgerald Unexpectedly Expires In
Hagerstown-Qther Deaths In This Section.

vi VIC NoiiOlh ~ w CStc4H As1iA"oy W
tween Hagerstown and Shenandoah,
and well-known resident of Shep-
herdstown, died suddenly in Hagers-
town last Friday afternoon. Mr.. Fitz-
gerald had been in Washington and
Baltimore, and went to Hagerstown
Thursday from the latter place. He
intended to come home Friday, but he
was feeling unwell and went to bed
at the American House. DR.. W. B.
Morrison was sent for and remained
with him until he thought he was bet
ter. When he returned shortly after
o'clock he found him dead. Land
lord Kenner had been in his room a
few minutes before, and saw that Mr..
Fitzgerald was apparently resting COM
fortably. 1t was not thought by those
in attendance that he was dangerously
i'll, but he himself must have had a
premonition Of his death, for he had
asked that a priest be sent for. His
brother, Mr.. Michael Fitzgerald, and
his clerk, Mr.. ]. NJ. Ferguson, had
been sent for, but they arrived too late
to see him alive
Mr.. Fitzgerald was forty-four years
of age. He had been a railroader since
he was small boy. His first job was
carrying water for the employees on a
new railroad in Orange county, Va.
He rose from one position to another
and became a section boss on the
Western Maryland Railroad. Seven
teen years ago he took a similar place
on the Norfolk & Western Railway.
His ability in his line of work was
marked, and be later became supervi-
sor of this division Of the road, a posi-
ton which he held at the time of his
death. He was highly regarded by
his superior officers, and when difficult
or speedy work was required he could
be relied upon to do it. He was pop
ular with all classes Of railroad men,
for though a strict man of business he
was at the same time accommodating
and Just. His wife was Miss Florence
Staley, Of this place, who survives him,
together with seven children. His
aged mother and his brother, Mr..
Michael Fitzgerald, also live in Shop
herdstown, and he has one sister, Mrs
Moore, who resides in Harper's Ferry.
A large circle of friends here and else
where deplore his death, for he was a
useful man and a good citizen, His
life was insured for $4,000 in the Be
nevolent Legion.
The funeral was held in Shepherds
town last Sunday in the Catholic
Church. The service was conducted
by Revs. McKeefry, of Martinsburg,
and Kelley, of Harpers Ferry. Special
trains were run from Shenandoah and
from HagelstOwn, carrying large
number of railroad men from all along
the line and the members Of the Cath
Ole Benevolent Legion of Hagerstown.
The pall-bearers were Messrs. Walter
D. Wilson, Charles Z. Full, John w.
Dillon, L. Ed. Moore, Conrad Kreitz
and ]. Frank Futterer, members Of
the Legion. Scarcely half the persons
present were able to get into the
church, which was crowded to the
doors. The choir of st, Mary's Cath
Ollie Church of Hagerstown sang during
the service. 1t was composed of
Misses Daisy, Violet and Lizzie Nor
rison, the Misses Wills, Miss Smith,
Miss Orndorf and DR.. Morrison. The
remains were inferred in Elmwood
Cemetery, in the presence of fully a
thousand persons.
We tender our deep sympathy to
Mr.. Fitzgerald's bereaved family.
Died, at his late home in Harper S
Ferry, on Saturday last, of sciatic rheu-
matism, Mr.. Frederick Brown Meyers,
aged 40 years, 8 months and q days.
The deceased was born in Burlington,
N. j., December 10, 1847, and moved
to Harper's Ferry about the year 1870,
where he continued to reside until the
day of his death He was married to
Miss Catherine Johns, who survives
him. He united with the Lutheran
Church early in life, and remained not
only consistent member but most
earnest and aggressive Christian work
er, He assumed willingly the burden
of the duties of almost the whole
church, was foremost in all movements
of the church and Sunday school, at
the time of his death being deacon,
secretary of council, superintendent OF
the Sunday school, the leader of the
choir and protector of all enterprises
tending to advance the interests of the
church. He was also a member of the
Odd Fellows fraternity and of the Ju-
Nor Order Of American Mechanics.