The times., 1899-07-08
death OF A. 7. BRITTON
9 &
Sudden Passing Away of the Dis
iinguished Lawyer.
He Hnd Been Sick But Few Hours
Was One of Washington's Most
Conspicuous Residents - No Ar
rangements Yet Made for the Fu-
Funeral - EventfuI Career Closed.

Col. Alexander Thompson Britton, one
of the best known and foremost citizens of
the District, died at his residence, 1928
Connecticut Avenue, Il few minutes after
10 o'clock yesterday mo ling of heart fail
ure. Thursday Mr.. Britl1n was apparently
enjoying his usual hedlsh, and it vas not
until O'Clock YESTERDAY morning that he
was seized with the first attack, which he
attempted to relieve by the use of med
ieines which had been prescribed some
time ago for a bronchial affection which
had caused him slight illness. The at
tack became worse. however. and DR.. J.
II. Bryan was summoned. Later DIR. Deale
was called in. The physicians renamed
with him until about O'Clock, when his
condition had so much improved that he
was considered to be entirely out of dam
ger. Mr. Britton felt so mucn better that
he decided TO go downtown rs usual.
Shortly afterward, however, he became de-
cidedly worse and the physicians were
again summoned. Every possible means of
affording him relief were tried, bu; he
continued to grow weaker until shortly
after 10 o'clock, when the end came.
But One SON Present.
Lee Britton, one of his sons, was with
his father at the time OF his death. Mrs.
Britton, Miss Britton, Miss Flora Britton,
Miss Sarah Britton, and John Britton, the
youngest son, are in New Castle Y. H.,
where they went about a week ago TO
spend the summer. They were acquainted
with the news OF the death o. Mr.. Britton
by telegram ana they will reach this city
e. -. !.
great shock TO his many friends in
Washington. 1t soon spread throughout
the city, where it caused great surprise and
genuine grief among the business men with
whom he had been thrown in contact in
this city for many years.
Colonel Britton was in charge OF the af-
fairs OF the American Security and Trust
Company during the temporary absence of
Charles ]. Bell, its president, on Thurs
day. While Colonel Britton complained of
being somewhat indisposed he supposed
that the first attack was of bronchial
nature, and IT was not until few minutes
before his death that he realized that his
condition was serious.
No arrangements for the funeral OF Coll
onel Britton will be made until the family
reaches Washington today.
Colonel Britton was born in New York
city December 29. 1885, of old revolution
ary stock. He first came to Washington
in the early COS. He was a charter men,
Der Of the Sons of the American Revolu-
tion of the District of Columbia, his great
grandfather being Major Isaac Coren, an
aide-de-camp to General Braddock and af-
terward major of artillery in the Conti-
mental Army under General Knox His
grandfather was Capt. John Powers. Colo
mel Britton received a common school edu-
cation before entering Brown University,
from which institution he graduated in
1857. He then took a course of law at
Harvard. He was admitted to the bar
through the Supreme Court of Rhode ISL
and in March, 1858, and practiced his pro
fessiou in that State until 1860. when he
went TO Madison, Fla, where he remained
until the outbreak of the War of the Re
bellion, which compelled him to return
North, when he was given position in
the General Land Office in March, 1860
During that year he became member OF
the Old National Rifles, which was the
first company mustered into the service OF
the United States at the outbreak of the
Civil War. After the close of hostilities
he went to California, where he practiced
law for two years. From California he re-
turned TO Washington, which remained his
home until his death.
His Law Firm.
In 1854 he organized the law firm of Brit
ton G Gray, which then had its office In
Seventh Street, between E and Streets,
northwest. In a few years the practice OF
the concern was one Of the largest in
Washington, the greater number of its
cases being before the Supreme Court of
the United States The ability of Colonel
Britton had made his name a leading one
among the lawyers of this city. President
sioner to codify the laws Of the Public
Land Office and the results of his lahors
have been published by the authority Of
Congress many times. The name of A ].
Gray is still in the firms name, though
Mr.. Gray retired from the business about
ten years ago. AT the time of Colonel
Britton's death the other members of the
firm were A. B. Brown and Alexander
Britton, a son. The Offices are now To-
Gated on the fourth floor of the Glover
Building. 1419 F Street northwest Colonel
Britton was the Washington representa-
tive of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Railroad Company, the Northern Pacific
Railway Company, and the Washington and
Norfolk Steamboat Company. He was a
director in the Emergency Hospital Co
lumbia Fire Insurance Company, and
the Founding Asylum, and was one
Of the promoters and directors of the
Georgetown and Tenleytown Railroad
Company. the lexington and Soldiers
Home Railroad Company, and the Column
bia National Bank, of which be was its
first vice president, serving from the time
of its organization in 1856 until 1889 He
built the Pacific Building in F Street be-
tween Sixth and Seventh Streets, north
west in 1855, and was president of the
corporation owning the Atlantic Building,
between Ninth and Tenth northwest. He
was also part owner Of the Glover Build
ing. He was chairman of the committee
having in charge the Inauguration of Pres
ident Harrison and was one of the World S
Fair commissioners from the District In
1890 he organized the American Security
and Trust Company, OF which he became
the first president He retired from this
office January J. 1888 At the time of his
death he was first vice president of the
company and chairman Of the executive
committee
In promoting the many enterprises in
which he was interested he showed him
eolf 10 be one of the soundest business men
in Washington. He served the District in
many responsible positions and was The
last President OF the Board OF Police Com
missioners In 1873.
Colonel Britton was married twice. By
his first wife he had four children, OF
whom three are still living The five chill.
dren by his second wife are all living Al
exander Britton, his son, is now travelling
in the West on business for the law iIrm
OF Britton & Gray, of which he is a mem.
Der. and Martin Britton, 'of Milwaukee, Is
connected with the Chicago and North
western Railway Company. Mrs. Walter
Gait, Of this city, is a daughter.
The announcement Of the death Of Col.
onel Britton caused expressions of regrei
and surprise throughout the city yesterday
and his sudden end is regarded as a great