New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04
WILLIAM BLAKE DEAD.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF OUTDOOR
POOR PASSES AWAY.
HIS DEVOTION TO THE CAUSE OF THE NEEDY
AND DESERVING IN HIS MANY YEARS Or
SERVICE IN THE CHARITIES
DEPARTMENT.

The flag on the City Hall placed at half-inast
yesterday on account OF the death OK "i'i'di"
Blake the Superintendent OF outdoor FOOT j"
the Department OF Charities Mr.. Blake died from
heart failure in the morning in his home at NO -"
East Twelfth-st where he lived with his brother
Joseph He had been in poor health for year ana
for ten DAYS he had been confined TO his PED his
funeral will take place Saturday morning AT 90"
o'clock in Grace Protestant Episcopal Church the
Rev. Dr. William r. Huntington officiating. as
sisted by the Rev. DR. Johnson. The ourial VIII Ne
al AmtyviIle, Long Island
News OF Mr.. Bakes death was received every
where in the city with regret his long services IN
a trying place had won for him much respect he
had been the official dispenser Of public charity 10
the deserving poor for many years, ana II was part
Of his duty sit for several hours each week DAY
in his Office at Third-ave. and Eeventh-st, lsteh-
ing ~ har-ouinr tales of distress Sitting the frauds
from those deserving of help and giving advice as
We'll as money 10 those In need OF 1t. He was quick
20 detect sham, stern in rebukng II ana yet ne
never lost sympathy with real distress lie was
Obliged 70 cut short long stories and get al the
truth in each case by short. sharp questions but
there was a kindly CLEAN OF the eye and an en-
couraging smile for the unfortunate.
Superint erdent Blake born In County WICK
low ireland. in 1886. and came TO America thirty
TWO years ago. He obtained employment at the
store OF \. r Stewart. the drysoods merchant ana
subsequently entered the services OF the Charities
Department a. assistan; 20 Superintendent kei-
locg lie succeeded the latter in 1873. and had held
that office since.
Duri-s his long period OF service Superintendent
Bake was r, his desk every morning at 8 o'clock
and remained until O'Clock IN the evening. He
look A fatherly interest in the poor ana the innrm
and once he saw face he never forgot II. His
memory In this respect wonderful and he could
toll the name Of every blind man and woman who
applied him yearly for their share or the $4,000
;hat the city sets apart FOR their annuity.
His salary from the city was $3.50 year, ana ne
freely gave Of this 20 the needy and poor whenever
they applied for assistance He took an interest In
every founding picked up in the streets Of the city
and he named every one OF them. He got the name
Of John the Bantst" for this devotion 70 the
foundllngs and the name chung to him for .ong
time
great many friends called at No. 237 East
TweIfth-st. Yesterday pay their respects 70 the
memory OF the deceased Superintendent.
The Commissioners Of Charities yesterday after
noon adopted resolutions the death OF Super
ntendent Blake. which are I'm part. as follows:
Whereas. The Commissioners Of Public Charities
have learned with deep regret OF the death or Mt
William Blake, who has been connected with THIS
Department for the llst twenty-eight years.
Resolved. That this Board hereby unanimously
places on record s deep OF the great loss that
tho Department has sustained in the death OF Mr..
Blake.
Resolved That as a mark OF respect TO his MEM
ory all the flags throughout the Department shall
he displayed az halfmast until after the day OF his
funeral.
Resolved. That the employees OF the central office
and Of the Department. 30 far as consistent with
its best service, have permission 10 attend the
funeral services.