Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-14
COLUMBUS ALEXANDER
One Of the Oldest Residents of Washington
Passes Away.



and best known residents of the District
dled this morning at o'clock at his resi-
dence. southeast corner of 30th and II
streets His death was not entirely unex
fected- The deceased has reached the ripe
Old age Of eighty-three years. and death
was caused by general debility He was
taken SICK about ten days before Christ
Has' and on Christmas day was Obliged 10
remain in bed. Since then his condition
gradually grew worse. He was aware that
f'ls case was hopeless. and remained con-
scious up to the last moment
Mr.. Alexander came from one OF the hest
Known families of Virginia He was born
September H. 1915. at Alexandria, but for
the greater portion of his life he was a
resident of the District. He was educated
in primary branches in a school AT Airing
ton but when quite a lad determined 10
pfanch out in business for himself One
Gay he left his home with a bundle II
cIothes and g and came to Washington
from this beginning he started the slIcc css-
lul career that crowned his later years
with plenty and affiuence.
His Successful Business Career.
While successful business man he never
mingled in politics. He never belonged 10
any organizations. and was not a man to
make many friends with whom he was in
his manner. and carried this practice into
his every day life.
He was member of the jury which tried
John II. Surratt for participation i'm the
assassination of President Lincoln. Surratt
mad left the city, and year or so after
wards was discovered as a member of the
papal army. The pope surrendered the
man. and he was brought 20 this country
for trial The jury that tried him failed TO
agree, Mr.. Alexander and three others
standing for acquittal. Subsequently Sur
ratt was released, and IL is now understood
Is living in Europe. With Mr.. Alexander's
death only one member of this jury remains
alive
At the time of the life of the board of
public works Mr.. Alexander took issue with
Its operations. He and w. w. Corcoran
led the fight against the board. and at the
time of joint congressional Investigation
he was regarded as the strongest witness
against the plan of Improvement An at
tempt was made to connect Mr. Alexander
with the burglarizng of the United States
district attorneys office. and the carving
away OF certain papers Of more or less
value. Richard Harrington, who was the
district attorney. was tried for an alleged
connection with the matter. but the jury
could not agree. Later the case was nolle
pressed. The affair created considerable
excitement at the time. Mr.. Alexander was
then living at 1oo7 and 1909 F street. places
that are now occupied as a part of the
Boston House.
Moved to Georgetown.
In the spring of 1884 Mr.. Alexander
moved to Georgetown, and occupied the
splendid house in which he died. 1t is one
of the finest estates on Georgetown Heights,
and is directly opposite the entrance to Oak
Hill cemetery. He never appeared in any
public enterprise since his removal to
Georgetown, and on account Of his age re-
tired from active business. The recent
death of his favorite son. Mr.. Fendall +.
Alexander, which occurred July TO- 1S96,
had a perceptible effect on the father. Since
that time there was a gradual decline in
his health, and grief over the death is sup
| posed to have FASTENED his own end.
Prior to his death Mr.. Alexander en-
braced the faith of the Catholic Church.
and was receive. into its fold. II was at
| his own request that this was done, he
realizing, apparently, that his end was not
far off. A snort time ago he received the
sacrament of baptism at the HANDS of Rev.
William ]. Seaman, pastor of Trinity Cath
ole Church of Georgetown. A little over
week ago he was confirmed at the hands of
Bishop Curtis. and before his death re-
ceived the sacrament of extreme unction.
Heirs Of the Deceased.
The deceased leaves a widow and family
to mourn his loss. Mrs. Alexander, who
has reached good age, was formerly Miss
Rebecca Hay. Two sons are dead, FenGa1
E, whose demise occurred July 10. 1So6,
and Harry H.. who died September -, 1887
Three sons and one daughter survive the
latter being Mrs. Francelia Russell OF the
three sons the Oldest is Columbus S.. while
the other two are Walter o. and Douglass
Is. There are several grandchildren living
The arrangements for the funeral have not
as Yet been made, but II will be held either
Wednesday or Thursday, about Id o'clock
IN the morning, with solemn high mass
of requiem at Trinity Catholic Charch
The tnterment VIII be at the family lot
in Oak Hill cemetery.
The Alexander family. of which the de-
ceased was lineal descendant traced its
ancestry in America back to 1861 when
under the Howser patent, the family ac-
CURED possession to considerable property
IN Virginia, which embraced nearly all of
Alexandra, most of the country west of
it and nearly all of Arlington This was
long before the Lees secured possession of
the latter place. The city of Alexandria
secured Its name from the family. the name
of the village formerly being Belle Haven.
Considerable of the property is still in the
possession of the family.
The deceased was quite wealthy and
classed as one of the richest men of the
city. 1t is understood that he made a will
several weeks ago by which he bequeathed
:4ll his large estates to his widow during
her life. providing for its equal division at
Mrs. Alexanders death among his surviv-
ing children and the heirs of those de-
ceased.