The record-union., 1899-09-25
CHIEF DWYER PASSES AWAY.
DEATH ENDED HIS SUFFERING
LAST EVENING.
Affecting Parting With Wife ana
Chi1dren-His Last Moments
Were Peaceful.

After weeks of severe su1erlng' uur-
ing which there were occasional 1alhl
CLEANS of hope that he might recover
from his illness, Chief of Police Ihoin-
as Dwyer sank peacefully to rest snort
ly before 8 o'clock last evening. he
was conscious UP to a few hours be-
fore his death. and when he realized
that his life was really ebbing away ne
asked to have his wife ana chlldren
brought to his bedside.
Mrs Dwyer, who was confined only
a week ago, had been kept in lgno-
rance of her husbands near approach
to death in the hope that his life might
be prolonged until she should regain
sufficient strength to bear the severe
shock that awaited her. When 1t was
apparent yesterday that he was about
TO lapse into Inconsistencies and had
only few hours to live, Mrs. Dwyer
was informed of her husbands condi-
tion and was carried to his bedside.
The parting between them was affect
ing to heart-rending degree.
Several of the Chiefs personal friends
called in the afternoon to bid him a
last farewell. He drew Sergeant Nc
cheek and said, between his gasps for
breath: I'm going-I don't mind for
myself, but take care Of my wife and
babies" His wife and babies" were
about the last words that passed his
lips He was already entering the
Valley of the Shadow of Death, and a
little later his spirit took its flight.
Thomas Dwyer was a native of Aus
tralia and 81 years of age, but his home
had been in Sacramento from his boy
hood. He was always popular young
man, for he was temperate, courteous,
courageous and gentlemanly. He was
an ardent admirer of athletic sports,
and for a long time was instructor of
boxing for the Sacramento Athletic
Club.
For some years prior to his appoint
ment as Chief of Police in January,
1898, he was employed in the painting
department at the railroad shops Sew
eral years ago he married Miss Beatrice
G. Fitch, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. W.
c. Fitch, and leaves beside his wife a
boy about 6 years of age and the in
fant son born TO him a week ago.
Last evening the Fire Department
bell was tolled when his death was an
nounced, and Mayor Land has directed
that flags be displayed at half-mast to-
day on all the city's public buildings S
as a mark of respect to the deceased
official.
General surprise has been expressed
that Mr.. Dwyer should become aff1ict-
ed with any sort of lung disease, for
he was always a picture Of health and
a model Of physical symmetry and
strength. Some Of his friends now
believe that a severe accident that he
met with a few months ago was re-
sponsible for his decline in health. II
trying to prevent a young and spirited
horse from running away with a buggy
he was thrown down and dragged quite
a distance. He was badly bruised, but
would not believe that he was seriously
injured
1t is now thought that he may have
suffered internal injury that affected
several Of the vital organs for not long
after that accident a decline in his
health became apparent, and latterly
he failed rapidly.
Thomas Dwyer was a warm hearted
impulsive, brave and honorable young
man. devoted to his family and his
friends, and there are not so many of
his class that he can be spared withou1
Sincere regret