Evening star., 1901-03-21
GEORGE McEEFRESH DEAD
wELL--1NOWN ANDa POPULAR MAN
PASSES AWAY.
Remarkable Recovery From a Wound
-Prominentsas an Able
Detective.

Mr.. George W. McElfresh died at o clock
this morning at his residence on the north
east corner of 4th and H streets northwest
in his sixty-fifth year, He had suffered
some years from Brigh.'s disease, but the
immediate cause of death was pneumonia,
following an attack of grip
Mr.. McElfresh was native of Montgom-
cry county, Nd, and while child was
brought here by his parents. He attended
the city schools, and afterward learned the
trade of coachmalsing. He was a member
of the Metropolitan Hook and Ladder Com
pany of the old volunteer fire department
and nearly all his life had resided in the
northern part of the CITY,
when the election riot took place near
!th and * streets northwest on June 1,
1857, he was one of the sufferers. Mayor
Magruder had called on the United States
authorities to suppress the riot. The know
nothing faction had a small cannon, and a
company OF marines appeared on the scene,
but the crowd was unawed till the marines
hao fired volley.
Bullet in His Brain.
Several persons were killed and wounded,
and Mr.. McElfresh was supposed at first
to have been one Of the former, as he was
1ound lnsens1ble, with a bullet wound in
the head. He was taken to the Washing
ton lnilrmary Cthen north of the city halD
ana attended by Drs. ]. Fred May, Joseph
BorroWs and others. Though they faileu to
find the ball, it's course was traced directly
into the brain. Several weeks elapsed, and
there was little idea of his recovery, but
Mr. McElfresh surprised all by regaining
ms former vigor, and for over forty years,
In life of more than average activity he
suffered no inconvenience from his wound.
MT McEirfesh was a member Of the Wide
AWakes, the republican club of 1860, and
since has been an ardent supporter of that
party. In 1851, as member of the Met
rOpolitan Rifles, he participated in the in
auguration of Mr.. Lincoln and enlisted with
his company in the three months service
in April, 1861.
As Policeman and Detective.
In January, 1862, he became a member
OF the metropolitan police and served
number of years, mostly under Lieut.. Eek
left, in the city hall precinct-then the
seventh. Owing to business demands he
twice resigned for few months, but be-
fore his connection with the police termi-
mated nearly twenty years of his life was
given to the force For several years he
was on duty at the White House, where
he enjoyed the confidence of General Grant
and many of the leading men Of the day,
and In January, 1872, he was promoted to
the detective force, in which he did much
efficient work When the detective force
was reorganized in January, 1888, he was
legislated out of Office. For several years
he was an employe Of the pension office,
and recently had been engaged in private
business. He had an extended acquaint-
ance, and was sincerely liked wherever he
was known.
The funeral will take; place from the late
home Of the deceased at o'clock Sunday
afternoon, and the Rev. George o. Little
No. 2, g. A. R., and the Old Guard, to both
of which Mr.. McElfresh belonged, will
participate in the services at the grave.
The interment will be at Glenwood.