The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-05-14

ShhoJ ~ v hho" "bob titS WI
dict was, for his mental processes had
it was impossible to make him under
stand, even If the attempt had been
made. He was retired on February
9th last, when he had reached the age
OF 81, and after 45 years of active SER
vice in the navy. The date of his re-
tirement was the anniversary of his n
trance to the navy.
He comprehended none of the twists
and turns of the Schley court. He
was ignorant of the fact that the presi-
dent, on an appeal from Admiral
Schley, had upheld the findings of the
court.
He died without understanding that
he had been placed on the retired list.
None of the events from last Septem-
Der were clear in his mind, and to most
of them he was utterly oblivious. He
might have understood that Theodore
Roosevelt, who, as assistant secretary
of war, helped select him for the com.
mand of the North Atlantic fleet that
destroyed Cervera's vessels at Santiago,
had become president, but that is
doubtful.
His mind failed faster than bis body,
for he was able to take walks in the vi
cinity of his home, but could not talk
coherently on any but the simplest
topics. He could not frame words nor
could he articulate them. The disease
was commonly diagnosed as aphasia,
but in reality it was softening of the
brain, with degeneration of the arterial
system.
More than a.year ago SIMPSONS
friends noticed that his highly trained
mind was refusing to work. His con.
ditlon was kept a profound secret.
The first intimation Washington had
of his failing powers was when he came
here last summer and visited the navy
department.. While in one of the
bureau offices he broke down absolute
ly, and for a few minutes became men
tally irresponsible. He was sent back
to Boston in company with All atten-
dant, and the navy department at once
took steps to relieve him from duty
and to make the remainder of his life
as comfortable as possible. Soon after
ward the order was issued putting him
on waiting orders.
Admiral Sampson was a quiet, re-
served man, tall, erect, and %singnlarly
handsome, says the New York World.
In his later years his brown beard and
hair were streaked with gray. His
eyes were deep brown in color, and
were his most attractive feature. lie
unbent only among his intimates, and
then he was jolly and companionable.
He looked more like n student than a
fighting man, although he was a fine
specimen of the American sailor when
he was in uniform. He was fond of
society and participated in the gayeties
of Washington while he lived there.
Sampsun's career was remarkable,
even in this country where poor boys
become great men SO frequently. He
was born IN Palmyra, Wayne County,
N. Y, on February 8, 1910. Palmyra
is the town where Joseph Smith claim
ed to have dug up the Mormon bible or
book of the Latter Day Saints. When
a boy young Sampson lived in a most
humble home near Bible Hill. Ills
father was a common laborer who
worked by the day and around the
village at whatever he could find to do.
He dug gardens and trenches, moved
lawns, attended carpenters and masons,
and did all manner of work for small
wages. The family was very poor.
Young Sampson, who was the eldest
OF eight children. vas sent TO the viii
lage school. After school he helned
his father. There are many people i'm
Palmyra now who remember when the
tall, grave young fellow dug in the
street beside his father.
In 1857 Representative f.. B. Nor
gan, of the Wayne County district, had
a vacancy at Annapolis. He offered
the place to several of the well-to. do
boys of the district. They all refused
it. Then somebody spoke of Young
Sampson, the son of the village laborer,
who was recommended to MI. Morgan
as an honest, upright and intelligent
young man struggling to get along
under the most adverse circumstances.
MIR. Morgan asked Sampson If he would
like to go to Annapolis.
The proposition was 80 far beyond
anything of which Sampson had ever
dreamed that he said himself in after
life that he did not believe Mr.. Nor
gan was in earnest.
He gladly accepted, went to the
naval academy and graduated first in
his class. He was made q second
in 1862 and served on the
practice ship John Adams. From the
John Adams he went to the Patapsco.
lie was lieutenant and executive Of
ticer of that ship when she was sunk
by a torpedo in Charleston harbor In
J January, 1866.
He was made u lieutenant COM
in 1866, and was instructor at
The naval academy from 1868 to 1871.
He served on the Congress In 1872 and
1873, and in 1874 was made q com.
mander and assigned to the Alert.
From 1876 to 1878 he was again at the
naval academy, and in 1886 after vari-
ous tours duty on shore and sea he was
superintendent of the naval ac-
while still q commander.
Before that time no one below the
'ank OF captain hal held thai office.
lie received his captains commission
q 1889 and in 1893 became chief of
he bureau of ordnance.
When the Maine was blown nm In
havana harbor and President Nc.
Ainley decided on a court of ~inouirg. 1
captain Sampson vas chosen both by
president and by Secretary Long
0 be president of the court. He re. /
urned TO Washington with the renort
nd was almost Immediately placed in
nm mond ~ kha RIn. .