The Washington times., 1901-12-23
HEART DISEASE
CLAIMS DR.. LEWIS.
FALLS DEAD At THE ARLINGTON.
EeII-known Clerk i'm Government
Departmcnt Brcathes His Last
Before Medical Aid Can
Save Estn.

DR. larnns p Lewis, for twenty-seven
years resident OF Washington, and dur
ing tat time a trusted omploye Of the
Government eicd suddenly from heart
disease in TIE Arlington Hotel last night
at f:l5. Earlier il the evening Dr. Lewis
and two old friends, Col. Nat Fitzgerald
ard Mr. George Macdonald, attend a
lecture on Fifteenth Street
They left TIE house for the Pennsyl-
vania DEPOT to meet DIR. Lewis son-in-
law. Charles H. Hooper, Of Charlotte, y.
e, who was on his way to Washington
to see lis wife, Mr. Lewis stepdaughter
and vl;o now lies quite i'll at the Column
bia Hospital.
The night being fine. Dr. Lewis suG-
gestcd walk as far as the Arlington
Hotel, where he would wait for his friends
while they attended TO some business in
the neighborhood, and ON the way down
town be complained several times Of
shortncss of breath. saying TO his COM
panions in a jovial way, quite character
isticaily. Walk little slower. boysi i
can get everything in this world except
my breath
They eft him at the hotel. promising
10 return in half an hour and when they
returned. 10 their inexpressible grief,
found that thoir friend was dead.
spoke Pleasantly to Clerk.
When Dr. Lewis entered the hotel he
spoke 10 Mr. Hamilton Burney the head
clerk. who knew him quite well, and
seated himself IN an easy chair in the
lobby.
In 4 few moments DR.. Lewis arose and
paced nervorsly uD and down tie cor
ridor. ana appeared TO be suffering intense
~. When he rcseated himself Burney sa9
his face grow very white and his head
fall forward on his chest.
Porter A. C, Thompson went to Dr.
Lewis assistance, as did Mr.. Burney and
several employees Of the hotel, while
number OF guests crowded around. tanning
him with their hats, as he seemed TO lie
glsping for air. His hands were very cold
and his jaw rigid and set.
He was carried gently and carefully TO
room q. where his clothes were loosened,
and every effort made to aid him By Dr.
Castelli. the hotel physician. who worked
on him for quite a while, but all efforts
were useless. as death had int rVenad
as soon as Mr.. Macdonald and Colonel
Fitzgerald were apprised of the sad
news they summoned Undertaken Gawler
and the remains were removed to the
family residence at the corner of
Eighteenth and II Streets, the FIRST two
going ahead TO inform Mrs. Lewis.
Appriring Mrs. lewis Of Sad News.
Mrs. Lewis, although a woman of an
unusually resolute Will, could not sum
mon sufficient energy al first TO meet the
blow. and FOR a time she was ineorsolable
She and her husband had always been
the closest of companions, and for that
reason the less falls upon her with par
ticular severity.
shortly after the body was carried to
the home MIR. Hooper arrived and with
Colonel Fitzgerald and Mr.. Macdonald
endeavored TO console the stricken woman.
4 rather sad feature of this unfortunate
happening is the illness Of DIR. Lewis
stepdaughter. to whom he was nldch at
tached, and in her present condition she
will be KEEP. in ignorance Of his death. Dr.
Lewis had only one child, son-Jamas
=. Lewis, ir.-who is connected with the
wholesale grocery house of Leggett d Co.
in New York City. He was informed by
telegraph OF mis- fathers death ami will
arrive here this morning
While no positive funeral arrangements
have been made it is the desire of his
widow TO carry her husSaid 5 body baci.
to his old home in New Hampshire. where
he was born fifty years ago.
Held Responsible Position.
Or Lewis came to Washington in 1874.
Immediately entering the Government SER
vice as clerk in the Postoffice Depart
ment. whehe he had been ever since. and
at the time Of his death he occupied a re-
sponsible position in the Finance Division
The doctor had studied medicine at George
town College. and graduated in the class
Of 1875 although he never followed the
practice Of that profession. He came Of
old Revolutionary stock in New Hamp-
shire. where his ancestors settled long
hcfOre colonial days. many Of them being
prominent in the wars England waged
against the French and Indians in Canada
His father was Col Rufus G. Lewis. in
his time a prominent citizen OF the Green
Mountain State.
In appearance Or Lewis was 4 pro-
nounccd double OF Senator Burrows OF
Michigan, for whom he was frequently
taken. He was a gentleman OF old school
methods In his courteous demeanor and
his accommodating ways, these traits en-
dearing him to a large number OF friends
IN Governmental and social circles. who
viii sincerely regret his untimely end.
Dr. Lewis was q member Of a Masonic
lodge in New Hampshire, although he
never affiliated with any of the lodges
here, and has a niece residing In Wash
ington who is the wife of Congressman
Charles II Turner. now practicing law in
thiI city.