The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-30
wi. y. RoGERs pEAp.

captain WIN. II. Rogers, Tor years
well known citizen of Galveston, died OF
heart failure today at the residence OF Mrs
Preston Perry, aged rs years. he remains
| VIII be buried at $50 tomorrow afternoon.
The services viii be conducted by Rev. DR.,
| W. n. Scott and the exercises viii lie in
charge OF Camp Magruder, United Confed-
| crate Veterans, OF which deceased was a
| member
In apeaking of the naval record of Cap
| tain Rogers, which was brilliant one the
| Tribune says:
William r. Rogers entered the United
states merchant marine service as an APP
prentice at the age of II in order 10 pre-
| pare himself for his chosen profession. In
| 1876 he was appointed third lieutenant in
the United States revenue marine service,
ana in due course was promoted through
inc intermediate gnldes up 10 that of cap
tain, which position he held ut the break
ing out Of the war between the States in
1861. At that time he was stationed at
Galveston in command of the revenue cut
Ter Dodge. True to his trust rs an officer
Of the United States and yet in his heart
warmly espousing the oause OF the land
OF MS birth, he determined II possible TO
turn over the vessel under his command
TO the proper United States officers and
with II to tender his resignation of Office
ton 10 his government to tender his sword
and his services TO the Confederate States
with this in view he sought to ovade the
seizure of the Dodge by tho Texas State
authorities by running his vessel TO the
upper bay out of harm's way.
In the meantime confidential orders from
the United States treasury department
reached him to proceed to Key West and
destroy the vessel II need be TO prevent
her capture by the Confederate authorities
But IN order TO make Key West certain
snip stores were Indispensable and Gal
weston was the only place where they
could be laid in And It so turned cut
That soon after Captain Rogers had cast
anchor in the channel In front of the Gal
weston wharves for the purpose of carry
ing out the orders of the department, the
Dodge was boarded and captured by posse
led by the sheriff of the county under the |
orders OF the State committee of safety /,
Theroupon Captain Rogers forwarded his |
resignation, with report of the capture.
10 Washington, and entered the service of |
tho Confederate States.
His first service under the new govern
ment was as captain of the steamer Sam
son at savannah, Ga, and later at his |
request he was placed On special service
which consisted In collecting and forward
ing 10 Richmond, Va, copper and other
supplies needed by the naval and ordnance
department, From this service lie was
called again TO the sea and sailed 20 I}e.-
mnda as first officer under Captain Sin
clair. Confederate States navy, to import
ordnance and other stores for The Con
federate government. This enterprise ms
cut short by tho vessel on which 40 sailed
striking rock In the harbor ANA eol.r
down so suddenly as to imperil the lives
OF all on board. In the rush .or the life
boats Captain Sinclair bethought him OF
The government funds In gold with which
he had been entrusted to purchase ord.
nance stores. aud sent Captain Rogers Back
20 his locker to secure the treasure. i'e-
ore he could return tho Vessel had set
lea down TO the waters edge aal the life ,
loats had cut loose TO avoid being carried
Town By the sinking vessel. In this rflti-
vi emergency Captain Rogers. for.seeing :,
hat the bags Of gold coin would carry /.
lin to the bottom, threw them overheard
Invested himself OF his shoes anl ccat,
md. barely escaping the suction Of the
mixing vessel, made his way hy swimming
lnul picked up by the life ooat fro.,, a |
nip riding at anchor mile away.
AZ the close OF the war Captain Rerers
fas on duty at Goldsboro, n. O.. and 10.
urning TO Galveston not lo.ig afterwards.
us made his home with the family of Mr., e
'erry for most OF the time since that ne Il
led, receiving from them the most do q
oted and tender care during his declining 4
ears. "
Captain Rogers has been In rc,eip. for @
everm years past OF pension from The o
overnment for meritorlous service ,luIlng
he MrNican war Of 1Hie-iY II