The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-22
SAMUEL PUGH HAMILTON DEAD
PASSED AWAY AT vALDOsTA YES
TEaDAY AFLNERNOoN.


savannah's Leading FinsncieTs
end Best Known Cftizens-Was
several Times "a Member of Conn
Gil and Chairman of the Finance
Committee OF That BOdy-Organ-
lied and Conducted the Brush
Electric Light and Power Co.
WAS Prominen in Masonry.
His Funeral to Take Place at
O'clock This Afternoon.
MIR Samuel Pugh Hamilton, one OF
savsnpab's best known and most respect
al citizens. died Yesterday in Lowndes
county near Naldosta. Although, OWING
tn tbesrondition Of Mr.. Hamilton's health,
IL was known that his death might
come at any time, the announcement
was a surprise, as he had appeared to be
somewhat improved in health.
M. aud Mrs. Hamilton left savannah
about ten days ago to visit their daush-
Ter. Mrs. James L. staten, In NaioOs'A'
A telegram was received by a relative
here Yesterday morning announcing Mr.
uamiiton's serious illness, and Later IN the
dav another telegram was received an
nouncine his death at 1:20 o'clock. only
a day or two before a letter had peeh re-
ceived stating that Mr. Hamilton was
much improved in health. and that he
had attended church Sunday with his
wife and daughter.
A dispatch to the Morning News from
Valdosta states that Mr.. HamLtons deatsl
occurred at the residence of Mr.. w. Z.
staten father OF Mr.. James Lloyd StateiA
twelve miles north of Naidosta, from an
attack of acute indigestion followed by
effusion of the brain. The dispatch states
that IL was Mr.. Hamiltou's intention, ar
Ter leaving Valdosta, TO go to some OF
the Northern summer resorts to spend the
summer. His wife and daughter were
10 accompany him. He was on tne
streets OF NaldOsta nearly every gay ana
vas looking much improved in health
Tuesday Mr. and Mrs Hamilton accom-
panied by Mr.. and Mrs; staten, Ws stl 70 70
he country home OF Mr.. W. 7. staten
"a spend The day While there Mr.. Hamil-
ton was fatally attacked and fingered
about twenty-eight hours. The pody was
prepared for burial and taken 10 Naidosta.
from whence il IVES sent TO savannah ana
arrived here at 2:30 o'clock TINS morning
Mr. Hamllton's death removes one VINO
has been actively engaged for the last
quarter Of century in upbuIldlng the inter-
ests of his adopted city. He was SO 9ulet
and unostenta Iious in his life and AFFAIRS
that few, besides his intimate associates,
comprehended fully the part Wnicn ne had
DlaVed in public enterprises. his Dusl-
ness career was n long and credHable one.
The deceased was in mis- cd year. lie
was a native of Loudon county, Virginia.
Waving done his duty by the Confederacy
he came 10 Savannah at the close OF me
war and established himself IN lhe 9eMeiry
business at Congress and Whitaker streets
the stand having been formerly occupied
by Richmond's jewelry store, There Tor
twenty-five years he conducted success
ful business and amassed a considerable
fortune From the first Mr.. Hamilton
manifested an interest IN puohc an1las
and was several times elected member
of Council He was the veteran member
Of the last Council, and Il was while serV-
ing as acting Mayor that ne was attacked
viii the stroke of paralysis which COM
PEELED him to resign from the board, and
also TO sever his active eonnectl9h W MN.
most OF the various enterprises OF Whlch
he was the k.s-- He was man who care
fully avoided partisan politics, never So
ljcited political support, and was In no
sense of the word a politician. ne was al
WAYS considered a desirable addition TO
any aldermanic ticket, and though not re-
srsyded as a popular mah in the common
a noteworthy fact that he az
ways ran well at the head OF his
ticket and had the honor OF leading It
on more than one occasion. His excellent
business Judgment made him a valuable
man for any aldermanic board and he was
usually placed at the head of the finance
committee His chief public service, next
10 his valuable AID as nnancier, was
probably in connection with the establish
inenl OF the first system of artesian wells
for Savannah, now known as the Old water
works. His name appears upon tablet
which gives the date of the construction
Of the works.
Mr. Hamilton was chiefly connected Were
the Brush Electric Light and Power Com
IanN ana the MeIcuantS NATIONAL BANK
Mr. Hamilton was the originator ana or
ganizer Of The Electric Light and Power
Company, and so thoroughly did ne do hi:
work that Savannah has never mad any
olner light ana power plant worthy Of The
name. Mr.. Hamilton began the organiza
ti7n Of mis- company in The early eightie:
when electric lighting was compare
lively new thing and was
generally regarded as an e9xper
Joined in the enterprise it was Mr. Ham
iaon's business sagacity which made IN
company success from inc starr ana ~
ganizaton. Ten or twelve years ago Mr.
Hamilton gave UP his jeweiry bushes
electric light company and his other bus
mess interests. He remained at the hea
PEELED him to offer his resignation. 1t wa
just at this time that deal had bee
agreed upon between the present Ediso
Brush Electric Light and Power Compa
my by which the former secured the lai
ter's plant In lieu OF building one of il
own. and Mr. Hamilton was prevailed N
40 remain at the head of the Brus
company until the deal was consummatet
being thus the first and only president {
that company.
Upon the death of the late John L. Han
mond Of the Merchants National Bani
Mr.. Hamilton was elected 30 the pres
dency, and presided over the affairs
the bank until about year ago whe
III health compelled him to resign. Il
was recognized as a financier of rare abb
ity, and there were few men who held Il
confidence of the business world in grea
er degree.
Mr.. Hamilton was connected with
number of other local enterprises. He W;
president of the Home Building Comp
ny and so remained until his death. He W;
largely Interested in the organization
the Savannah cotton mills, and orga
lied and once erected a paper mill f
the manufacture of paper from rice stra1
Both Of these enterprises were unsu
cessful, however.
Outside of his business affairs, Mr.. Har
ilion was probably best known as a NJ
son and knight Templar. He had be-
member of Solomons lodge for maj
years end was past master Of {
lodge. He was prominent IN the Knigh
Templar, being past eminent comman
or Of Palestine's commandery and pa
grand commander of the grand comman
cry of Georgia For the last fifteen yea
he had been grand recorder. He was
frequent attendant upon the national
sembages Of the Knights Templar a
took great interest in the work of t