Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-05-07
DEATH OF ADMIRAL SAMPSON.

OLh1h Vt ADmlhAD cAmI SOS'
Rear Admiral William Thomas
Sampson, United States navy, died at 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon. He passed
away at his home ut New Hsmp-
shire Avenue and Corooran street,
Washington, where be and bis family
had resided since his detachment, In
October of last year, from duty as com.
mandaDt OF the Boston navy yard.
Death wac directly due to cerebral
hemmorrhage which he suffered at IL
o'clock yesterday morning. The at
tack was accompanied by paralysis OF
the brain, and the stricken man re-
manned unconscious until the end, i've
hours later. For nearly year 1t has
been known TO Admiral Simpsons
physician and his family that his death
was question OF q comparatively short
time. Before then, however, he had
been In poor health, and while he was
able to perform 10 some measure the du-
ties OF his position OF the Boston navy
yard, those close to him began to su5-
pect that bis mind was giving away.
The first real knowledge that Admiral
Sampson's health was falling came to
the officials OF the Navy Department in
the fall OF 1900, when he made trip
to zee President Mckinley and
Secretary Long In behalf of o son-ln-
law, who was an applicant for a COM
mission 10 the Marine Corps. He
became go Ill 10 Secretary Longs
Office that medical attendance was re-
quired, and Mr.. Long sent him back to
Boston in the care OF q naval surgeon.
The illness which 6nally resulted In his
death may be said to date from that
time. According to the medical dag
nosis, Admiral Sampson's trouble was
softsniDg of the brain with degenera'
ton Of the internal system, and these
we're accompanied by extreme physical
weakness. Last Sunday he Was able
to take q short walk, but, on returning
to his residence, was attacked by a
slight hemorrhage OF the brain, which
produced partial unconsclousness.
There had been three attacks of this
nature, each tending ID cap his strength
but despite his enfeebled condition, be
always rallied and was able to be about
the house or occasionally to take q
stroll 10 the care Of Mrs. Sampson or an
attendant. Since the attack on Sunday
he remained In q oomatose condition,
gradually growing weaker from recur-
reDces OF the homorrsgee, until the
severe attack came yesterday afternoon.
Admiral Sampson was a native OF
Pelmyrs, N. Y, where he was born
February 8, 1910.
He was appointed a cadet at the
Naval Academy, Sept. "a, 1857. de
graduated from the Naval Academy 10
1860, at the head of his class, He saw
service during the civil war, being pro-
NOTED to mastsr 10 1861, and commits
stoned lieutenant on July 16, 1862. Fol-
lowing the civil war Sampson was as
signed ID the flagship Colorado, OF the
European squadron. He wes subse-
duenIly transferred 10 other vessels and
appointed to positions at navy yards, the
Naval Academy aud was superinteDd-
ent of the Naval Observatory in Wash
ington until the outbreak of the Span
ish war made him a prominent figure.
Although Admiral Sampson had q
large and devoted circle OF friends, be
Was not q cordial man in the popular
sense of that word. His manner wss
rather distant and reserved. Never
theless, those who knew him more iD'
tImstely praised his qualities Of miDd
and heart without stint, and regarded
him as a sterling and efficient officer.
The London Times devotes long
obituary notice TO Admiral SAMPSON.
It describes the admiral as one OF the
best seamen the American navy ever
possessed and says his personal energy
entered more largely than that Of anJ
officer into the construction, the arma-
ment, the organization, snd the fight.
ing qualities OF the fleet that defeated
the Spsnlards,