Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-05-04
SATURDAY EVENING. MAY A, 1901.
DEArHoF DR.. HAROLD sNowDEN


DIR. Harold Snowden. second son OF
the late Edgar Snowden, died at his
home, on south Lee street, at 3 O'Clock
this morning, after an illness OF nearly
three weeks. He had, however. been
10 failing health for several months past,
but had persistently continued his labors
and when stricken with paralysis was
at his desk in this Office and at work.
DR.. snowdep, intelligent physician as
he was, realized several years ago that
the "outwsrd man was perishiDg," be-
ing conscious of organic troubles that
were slowly but surely sapping LIES
forces, and he was aware OF the TACT
that It was q mere matter OF time when
the lev hand of death would summon
him. as 1t had his father and elder broth
or. to leave the management OF the old
Gazstte TO the hands OF others. de con-
tinued bis duties, however, until
psrslysls seized him on the 10th OF
April and the pencil had to be taken
from his hand together with an unfin'
ished production intended for the issue
of the Gazette of that day. Those who
had worked with him for third OF
century were made to realize the sad
fact that his labors were ct an end and
that another one who had 30 long been
the virtual director OF the old Gazette
and who during bis course had contri'
buted towards its success had finished
his life's work. He had grown rather
feeble during the past few weeks, and
on the afternoon OF the 18th ultimo re-
turned from Washington, which city he
visited each day, aud began, as usual,
the preparation OF the Washington cor
respondence. 1t was soon apparent.
however, that his vital powers were be-
Ing taxed beyond their strength,
aud, as he said, he was paralyz ed-a
sad truth which all realized. He was
placed In carriage and conveyed to
his home as soon as possible. Medical
aid was summoned and everything
possible resorted to in order to
prolong bis life. 1t was, how
ever, but the beginning Of the end,
and he realized it as much as those
around him. He was rational nearly
all the time and met his approaching
dissolution with perfect submission.
His condition fuctuated for time. but
eventually he began to weaken, and re-
cuperation soon became an impossible
ty. During the past two days his pulse
grew feebler as the hours wore on and
the fires of life burned lower and lower.
until 8 O'Clock this morning, when
his heart ceased and Borrowing
relatives, who had been untiring 10
their vigils, realized that his soul had
passed from mundane scenes.
DR.. Snowden, as stated above. was
the second son OF the late Edgar Snow
den, who for many years was the in
SEPARATION of the Alexandria Gazette.
which he so successfully conducted.
He was born 10 this city April 27. 1886,
and was consequently 65 years old on
Saturday last. He was carefully edu-
Gated for the medical profession, and
In his young days attended the
most famous colleges in the coun-
try-ths University Of Virginia and JEFF
ferson College of Medicine 10 Philadel-
phis.. Away back in the fiities be
began his professional career with the
late DIR. Conway Brown, and when the
latter removed from this city to Middle.
burg (about 1859 DR.. Snowden took bis
place among the profession as prac.
tclng physician, his office being on the
west side OF Pitt street, near King.
Later, however, bis inclinstions led him
to abandon his profession and he be-
came one Of the editors Of the Gazette
which was published afterwards under
the firm name OF Edgar Snowden &
Sons--his elder brother, Edgar, being
one Of the editorial staff. Upon the
breaking out OF the war between the
the States ia 1851 he was elect
ed surgeon OF the Old Do
minion Rifismep, and left Alexandria
with that company on the Oath OF May
of that year. He. like the other Con-
federates on that memorable morning,
had to leave his barracks In hurry,
but flial duty prompted him to take
chances and return to the old home.
stead and bid dear ones sad goodbye,
his father at the time being extremely
Ill. he deemed it unsafe to approach
the front door, and climbed over
the back fencs in order to see them
once more. The adieux were hasty
aud four long years interviewed before
his eyes again beheld the place OF his
birth. After going South he was
elected surgeon Of the Seventeenth Vir.
pinia Infantry upon the elevation of
DIR. M. M. Lewis to the position Of
brigade surgeon. 1t was while he was
following the fortunes Of the Southern
army that an election for members Of
the Virginia Legislature was held and
DIR. Spowden was chosen to represent
Alexandria In that body. the late w.
G. Csseuove being his opponent. Later