The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-27
WILLIAM ]. NURTAGH DEAD.
He Succunlbs TO ApopIexy at the Ma
fionaI Hotel

William J. Murtagh died ct the National
Hotel this morning at II o'clock. He was
stricken with apoplezy few days ago
and from that time up - the hour Of his
death there was no hope of his recovery.
Last Monday he went to his Office in
the Corcoran Building as usual In the
afternoon he went to the Baltimore and
Ohio station. As he stepped upon a
street car to return home he was strick-
en-, and never after recovered con
seriousness.
He began to sink very rapidly last
night. and it was found necessary to use
oxygen TO prolong life. he was sixty-five
years of age, and leaves a widow. but no
children. At the bedside were his sister
iH-Iaw. Mrs. A. c. Wright, her daugh-
ter, Miss Matilda D. Wright, and her son
Lloyd Wright
Mr.. Murtagh was a citizen of Washing
ton for over forty years, He was born
in New York, near New York city, and
was the son of a lawyer. His father died
when he was very young, and he became
the sole support of his mother. With her
he came to Washington, and was made a
page in the Senate. where he became well
acquainted with such men as Clay, Web
ster, and Calhoun.
He was for a number Ct years page,
and then took up newspaper work with
the National Era which then had an
office on Pennsylvania Avenue near
Four-and-a-HaI Street. The Era was
at that time publishing Harriet BeeCher
Stoves Uncle Toms Cabin, and other
books Of a similar nature Mr., AIurtagh
espoUsed the Abolitionist cause. and was
a party to all the controversies in which
his paper was concerned over the sub
jcct. He took part in sensational fight
in which the Office of the Era" was
stoned and he was obHgec TO flee TO the
roof TO save his life.
His connection with the Era brought
him-into so much prominence that he was
able. in a few years. To start d paper
for himself. With two men who furnished
the money, Hanscom and Weston. ne
started the National Republican" to
be the organ Of the Administration. The
first Republican building stood on the site
occupied by The Times Office, and was
small two-story brick structure.
Mr. Murtagh, as editor Of the '-Repub-
Hcan. WAS very frequently called in to
conference by President Lincoln, and by
the Cabinet. The paper soon forged to
the front, obtained great circulation in
Washington. and a great influence
throughout the country.
1t was soon moved into larger quarters,
on the corner OF Pennsy lrania Avenue
and Thirteenth Street. The building was
erected at an expenditure Of $4,000, and
the investment proved the papers down
fan The mortgage on the property in
yOlved the business in various compifca-
tons, and finally Mr.. AIurtagh closed cut
his interest in the paper - the owners
of the Post and tbs two papers were
consolidated.
After relinquishing his share in the
Republican Mr. Murtash took an Of
flee in the COrcoran building and engaged
in various kinds Of business During the
latter years of his life he was the repre-
sentative before Congress Of the Cramp
shipping interests Then he became in
terested IN a pneumatic gun carriage
and several other military and naval in
yentions which he pressed efore the de
partments. His last venture. q aicn turn
ed out successfully. was y tn the Holland
Submarine Beat Company, In which he
was large stockholder.
Having never had any children Mr.
Murtash and his wife have always lived
at hotels. For the past fifteen years they.
have been living at the National. afr.
Murtagh expressed his wish 10 be hurled
from the hotel, and desired that some Of
the walters who were his friends during
the last few years should be pallbearers
The date OF the funeral has not been set