Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-09
DIES OF HEART FAILURE
Benjamin &. Mayfield, Lifelong Resident
Of Georgetown, Expires Suddenly.
Stricken on Street and Passes Away
Without ReSaiMinE Consciousmess
death Not Unexpected.

Mr.. Benjamin R. Mayfield, lifelong
resident and well-known business man Of
Georgetown died suddenly of heart failure
this morning about $50 o'clock, at the office
| of King & Son, coal and wood dealers. 2JO5
K street Within few minutes after the
| fatal stroke the victim expired without re-
gaining consciousness uttering a word.
The remains were shortly afterward remov-
| ed 10 the home of the deceased a 1911 3Ot tn
street, and preparations made for the
burial.
Mr.. Mayfield had not been in good health
| for some time past. but his condition was
not such as to cause any serious appre-
| hepsion. He had been afflicted with heart
| trouble and had suffered several attacks
similar to the one which proved fatal.
Those who were aware Of his condition eX-
pected his sudden death, and MIR. Maytield
himself had several times predicted that
he would die suddenly.
According to his usual custom he reached
his office al 23th street and the canal few
minutes after o'clock this morning. For
thirty years or more 1t had been his Gus
tom to reach his Office about that hour He
appeared this morning to be in his usual
health, and attended to some little work
about the yard. He left the main place on
10Th street and went to the branch office of
The firm OH K, Or Water street, between
Both and 31st streets. He had completed
the business which called him to the branch
ydTu ana was returning 10 the main ONCE
VIXEN the fatal attack came.
Noticed by Employe.
One of the drivers of the firm, Sandy
Shaw, while driving his horse on Water
street. passed Mr.. Mayfield, who was then a
few yards west of the office of VIM. King
6, Son He noticed his employer stagger-
ing. and. understanding his trouble, jumped
off his seat and arrived just in time to pre-
vent Mr.. Mayfield from falling to the
ground. He carried him into the office of
King IL Son. where death resulted soon
after A physician was summoned. but his
assistance was of no avail AS soon as
Mr.. Maytield had been pronounced dead the
police We're notified and word was sent to
Undertaken Birch The covered patrol
wagon of No. 3 precinct was sent for and
conveyed the remains from the Office to the
home Of the deceased, the family having
meanwhile been notified of the sad event.
Mr.. Maytield never mingled much in the
affairs of other business concerns, and
though several times, it is said. he was Of
fered a position In financial institutions as
a director, he refused to accept. He be-
longed to no secret or fraternal organiza-
lions.
He was born in Georgetown and received
his education in Washington. Last June he
passed the seventythird milestone in the
journey of life
He entered into the dry goods business
about the year 1850, in partnership with
Mr.. S. Thomas Brown, his brother-in-law.
! lie business OF the was located on IGe
south side of NJ street near 32d street, and
the partnership existed until about 1869,
when MIR. Mayfeld retired. MIR. Brown
continued the business until few years
ago, when he likewise retired, his duties
president of the Farmers and Mechan-
les National Bank and other institutions
occupying mis- time.
Engages in other Business.
After leaving the dry goods business Mr..
MaSfield associated himself with Mr.. r. r.
Heiston, and opened a wood and coal bust
ness, in which he continued, Mr.. John
Heiston succeeding r. T. Heiston as a
member of the firm.
Mr.. Mayfield is survived by his wife and
seven children. Mrs. Mayfield was nearly
Frustrated by the news Of her husbands
death. which was broken to her by her
son, DR., Clifton Mayfield. Besides DR..
Mayfield, who is a member of the police
Mercer B. Mayfeld, William P. Mayfield
are three daughters surviving, all of whom
are adults.
Mr.. Mayfield was a member of the West
Street Presbyterian Church, and was one
of the elders of the church. He held the
position for many years, and was the old
est elder on the board and one of the old
est Presbyterian elders in the District.
The funeral arrangements We're not COM
pleted up to noon today. Services will
most likely be held at the West Street
Church Thursday or Friday, and the inter-
ment WILL it is understood, be at Oak Hill
cemetery.