Evening star., 1897-03-23

noon. This morning after breakfast he re-
tired to his library on the second floor of
his mouse and lay down on lounge. Be
fore Mrs. Roose left for market she looked
in and saw that her husband was sleeping
When she returned. about 1890 O'clock
thinking that he had slept long enough
she went in to arouse him. He was lying
In a comforta bic position. as if asleep but
when she spoke to him she was unable to
awaken him. He was dead. A physician
was summoned in haste, but he expressed
the opinion that Mr. Roose had baen da.d
for some little time
The news of his death spread rapidly
among Mr.. Roose's friends about the CITY
ana tnere was a general expression of re-
sret. MI Roose was good hearted. whole
souled sort of man and there are few
men in town who enjoy such a wide ac-
quafntance he did.
Mr. Roose was a self-made man. He
was born In Baltimore sixty-five years
ago. He was left an orphan at the age
of twelve with the care of Younger
sister upon his shoulders. AS a boy htl
secured employment In a carriage shop in
Baltimore as painter. but he then had
weak lungs and doctor told him that he
must give up the trade account of his
health. After that he entered the tobacco
business.
In 1861 Mr.. Roose came to Washington
to live. He opered a cigar store across
the street from the Willard Hotel, and
afterward he took charge of the cigar
and news stand in that hotel From, that
start Mr.. Roose branched out until finally
he had stand in every important hotel
in the city. For many years he had
big store at 1913 Pennsylvania avenue
where he carried on a wholesale and re-
tail business. His business grew to such
proportions that he employed from thirty
to fifty men at all times. When Congress
was in session he would have them here
at the various stands and in summer he
would send them off to the leading summer
resorts Some eight or ten years ago he
retired from active business and devoted
himself mainly to looking after his prop
erty. He was a man of very considerable
means much of his wealth being invested
in real estate.
When Mr.. Roose was a boy his sister
went to live with Mrs. Surratt, and later
was engaged to be married to Mrs. Sur
rats son, John Surratt. After the assas-
sina tion of President Lincoln the young
woman felt SO humiliated that she retired
to convent, where she is still living at
an advanced age.
Mr.. Roose was very much interested in
secret societies He took an active part .n
Masonry. NJ % lie was a charter member
A. NJ. ard was a thirty-third degree Ma
sen. a member of De Molay Mounted Com
mandery, member of the Scottish Rite
and an honorary member of Adelphi Lodge
of Providence. R. l.: of St. Johns Com
mandery of Providence. and of ST. Johns
Commandery of Philadelphia He was a
grea: friend of the late Gen. Albert Pike
He kept his membership in a Baltimore
lodge Of Odd Fellows, frequently attended
its meetings and was affectionately known
as the father of the lodge. Mr.. Roose was
extremely hospitable by nature and was
charitable and generous to the last degree
He was very fond of angling and was
member of several of the Potomac fishing
clubs. e
Mr.. Roose was twice married His first
wife was a hopeless invalid and died a few
months after her marriage. His second
wife, who survives him, was Miss Stephen
son. member of a well-known Baltimore
family. BY her he had several Children,
only two of whom are hving-a daughter.
who is the wife of DIR. G. E. Conneil. and
son, DIR. VIM. S. Roose jr
No arrangements have We. been made
for the funeral. which will be under The
auspices of the Masonic order