The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-07
This the Immediate Cause, but
He Had Been Long Ill.
HIS FAMILY AT HIS BEDSIDE
Mrs. Sampson Has Broken Down I'm
der the Severe Strain, and Was
Quite III All Day-Admiral Samp-
son Has Been in Semi Con
scious State for Several
Days-His Life.
fsneo,al p,snatcb to The Times.

EASHlNGTON, May 6.-Rear Admiral
William T. Sampson, retired. died at MS
home in this city at o'clock TINS al
ternoen. The immediate cause OF death
was a severe cerebral hemorrhhge- lie
had been in a Sen-conscious state Tor
several days, and this afternoon suffered
a severe cerebral hemorrhage
AT the bedside when the Admiral
breathed his last were Mrs. Sampson.
mrs. Lieutenant Cluverius, the AdmiraFs
married daughter: Admiral Simpsons s
two Young sons Ralph and Harold Samp-
son: DR. Dixon. the attending physician,
and nurses and attendants
Mrs. Sampson has broken down under
the severe strain. and was quite III all
during the day. But for the critical con-
ditiou of the ADMIRAL she woulu have
been confined to her bed.
NO FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
The arrangements for the funeral of
admiral Sampson will not be completed
until tomorrow 1t has beeen suggest
ed to Mrs Sampson that the Naval Gene
terry at Annapolis would be d proper
place for the last resting place OF the
remains while other friends have repre-
sc4ted to her that he should be buried
in Arlington Cemetery, near this city.
Mrs Sampson suffered a slight accident
four days ago while attending to the
wants OF the Admiral and has been in
bsd since She probably will not be able to
attend the funeral services.
number Of messages of coincidence
haze been received at the house, among
them one from Secretary Moody.
The death of Admiral Sampson occur
ring late IN tho day, there has been no
opportunity for any action by the Navy
Department for participation in the fu-
neral services Suitable representation.
however. will be made. including de-
;achment ol Blue Jackets and Marines
with band.
Sketch of His Life.
Admiral Sampson was born in Pal
nyra, Wayne county, \. Y. February 8.
1870 He did not come Of distinguished
naval lineage, nor, IN fact, OF a prominent
family. He was the first of his line to
attain distinction. George Sampson, his
father, was day laborer, and the early
life Cf William. his son. was not the
pieasantest and easiest. Frequently ne
accompanied his father on the tramps
from one farm house 10 another in Wayne
county. helping to slpit and pile wood
and do other hard work. In his spare
moments he studied the few textbooks
al his command and managed to attend
the public schools in the county at IN
tel,vals Old Squire William II. South
wick. of Palmyra, liked young Sampson
for his energy and ambition. The squire
was a friend of e. B. Morgan. who rep
resented In Congress the district which
includes Wayne county Representative
Morgan had the right TO appoint mid
shinrnan to the United States Naval
Academy, and when Squire Southwics
hoard this he exerted himself in young
Sa1npsons behalf
he ENTERS THE NAVY.
This was in 1887, and Sampson went
10 Annapolis in September of that year
and donned the natty uniform Of a mid
dy. Four years later, less than a year
before the beginning of the Civil War,
he was graduated at the head of the
class The opening of hestilities found
him on the frieate Potomac, with the
rank Of master. Captain Sampson was
too young man to get q command dur
ing the war but NE conducted himself
In a manner that won him promotion as
p lieutenant in July, 1862 and while
holding that commission he served on
the practiceship John Adams at the
Naval Academy, on the ironclad Pataps-
co OF the South Atlantic Blockading
Squadron and on the steam frigate Col
ovado. the flagship of the European
Squadron.
admiral Sampson. then a lieutenant.
clad Patspsco on January Is. 1865. His
ho8t was a part of the hcckading feet
h-fere Charleston. The Confederates
knew that sooner or later the boats of the
Union fleet which were doing blockade
duty would seek to enter the harbor and
attempt 70 force the surrender OF
the city and for days they spent
all their time laying submarine
mines and torpedoes preparatory 10
f,ivirE the Union beats a recep-
,ion that they would not forget On the
morning of the 18th The Admiral of the
feet decided that the time was ripe tC
get into the harbor. OF course. he eN-
pacted that the place was full OF mines
and torpedoes. and he had to get rid OF
them in some way. He selected the
Patapscn 10 do the work. She was ordered
10 enter the harbor and search for the
hidden enemies and to pick them up OF
destroy them when she found them.
BLOWN UP WITH HIS SHIP.
Lieutenant Sampson was on the bridge
.na as soon as the ironclad got within
range a torrent of fire fell unon her.
Despite the terrific onslaught the little
sa.ir bravely steamed ahead Confed-
craze sharpshooters lined the hills and
bullets swept over the deck like hail
driven by q furious wind Sampson or
ae,ed the marines and sailors below tc
hide behind the iron protection. while he
a;cne remained on deck All at once the
firing ceased with Ill boiling suddenness
Tho next instant the ironcled went ur
into the cir, split into fragments by ar
enormous torpedo. Along with the shir
Continued or Second Pase)