Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-24

in-law Mr.. .,eginald Fendall whose sud
den death Tuesday night in New York
city was announced in yesterdays Star.
Mr.. Gait yesterday was not only feeling
better than he had for some time past,
but had the appearance of a man who
was rapidly regaining his health and
strength. About 1915 o'clock last night
he was conversing with his son, Mr.
Charles E. Gait, when he suddenly stopped
talking, and the attention of his son being
attracted by the sudden pause, he looked
at his father, who was in his chair in the
same position that he had been in when
he looked at him last.
he at once rushed to his side and spoke
to him, but Mr.. Calf made no response
and II was seen that his eyes were fixed.
The son at once applied such restoratives
as he had at hand and promptly sum-
monad assistance, and the physicians were
soon at the house. All efforts. however,
proved unavailing. The physicians an
nounced that death was due to heart fail
ure, and in their opinion the final sum-
mons had come suddenly and that the end
was painless.
The news of the death of Mr. Gait will
come with all the shock of sudden sur
prise to the large circle of friends and
acqlaintances which he had in this city
1t was not generally known that he was
family and intimate friends, who were
aware that he had been recently confined
to his house, this sad event was entirely
unexpected.
"el-Preserved Man.
Although in his seventy-seventh year.
Mr.. Gait was a well-preserved man. and
showed but few evidences in personal ap-
pearance of his advanced years In fact
during his entire life he had enjoyed good
health, and it is not recalled that he ever
had an attack of sickness of any MON ant.
do,
VINO Is under the shadow of the great grief
Whlch had come to her in the sudden death
OF her husband, sympathy is especially
directed, as she is now called upon to
mourn the death of her father
Matthew w. Gait was born in Alexandria
Va, the 14th Of October, 1921. His father,
James Gait, was a native of MARYLAND
ana having learned the jewelry business
In Baltimore he went to Alexandria in the
year 1902 and opened store in that city
Alexandria was then within the bounds of
the District of Columbia, and it was sup
posed the removal of the seat of govern
place in the year 1900, would enhance the
Importance of Alexandra as a business
center.
Mr.. Gait continued in Alexandria for
nearly quarter of century, and in tho
year 1926 he removed his business to this
city, and opened store on Pennsylvania
avenue between 9th and 10th streets. Dat
ing from that event Matthew w. Calf.
this city for nearly three-quarters of
century. His father continued in active
business here until the year 1S47 when he
died. He was succeeded by his sons. NJ. w.
Gait and William Gait.
About the year 1857 the jewelry estab-
lishment was moved to the north side Of
Pennsylvania avenue between 9th and Ith
streets, and ten years later the building
by the grandsons of James Gait was
erected and the establishment removed to
the new quarters, on Pennsylvania avenue
near 11th street.
A Notable Event.
The erection of this building was a rather
notable event, not only in the history of
the city, but in the development of Penn
sylvania avenue, as the front was con-
structed of iron, rather uncommon ma
terial to be used in buildings in those days.
1t was known for some years as the iron
'front.'" and the Galts then, as now. occu-'
pied a prominent place among the business
houses Of the nations capital. The front
Of this building remains practically un-
changed today. although, of course. the
interior has been remodeled as was neces-
sary, from time to time, to meet the re-
quirements Of modern business methods.
In the year 1879 Mr.. William Gait, who
had been associated with his brother. M
w. Gait, in the management OF the busi-
ness since 1447, retired from the firm, and
the business was then carried on under the
firm name Of M. w. Gait, Bro. & Co., the
firm consisting of NJ. w. Gait and one of
his sons, who was associated with him in
business. The 1st of September. 1892, after
a career at the head of this establishment
extending over a period of forty-five years,
NJ. w. Calf withdrew from the firm. and
the business was continued. as 1t is today.
under the name Of Calf & Bro, the firm be-
ing composed OF Walter A. and Norman
Gait, sons of NJ. w. Calf.
Since his retirement from the cares and
responsibilities Of an active career Mr..
Gait had busied himself in various direc-
tions, and had continued his interest In the
various charitable organizations of the city,
with which his name had been SO lang iden-
titled.
His Benevolent Work.
He was one Of the organizers of the Chill
dren's Hospital. and at the time Of his
death was president Of the board Of man
ayers He was greatly interested In the