Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-10


only for few moments yesterday. he
had been unconscious for some hours be-
fore the end came last night, and died
peacefully and without pain just as the
hour OF IL was struck. At the bedside were
his wife, Mrs Anna Helene Dickson Miss
Irene Dickson, an adopted daughter; Mrs.
Mary a. Barr, sister-in+law: Miss Marie
V. Stuart, daughter of Mrs. Dickson and a
sister of the Order of Bon Secour
Lived Here Since the War.
Although col. Bill Dickson, as he was
Familiarity known, native of Philadel-
phia, he had been a resident of Washington
since the civil war, in which he took part.
He was perhaps best known as one of the
most prominent District democrats His
| tall, commanding figure was well known to
every resident of the city. His many at
tractive and lovable qualities of mind at
tracted to him friends by the hundred dur
ing his long residence in Washington, and
to this list he constantly added During
his long illness the solicitous inquiries of
these many friends added cheer to his af-
fiction, recalled to his mind many mem
cries of the past which he busted himself
with jotting down in semi-humorous vein
When Mr.. Dickson met with the accident
while coming out of the Columbia Hotel on
pennsylvania avenue near 10Th street, he
was taken at once to the Emergency Hos
1ital. The compound fracture of his right
hip made it impossible to remove him from
that institution for nine weeks. Since that
time he has been confined to his bed, being
nurSed constantly by his wife, daughters
| and sister-in-law. His vitality gradually
weakened, and it became evident some days,
ago that he had little chance of recovery
Before death Mr.. Dickson received the last
rites of the Catholic Church, of which he
has always been an ardent member. He
will be buried with the full church cere-
mony from st. Patrcks Church Monday
The interment will be at Arlington Gene
terry.
Mrs. Dickson, who survives her husband.
was his second wife, having been married
to him seven years ago. She was Mrs
Stuart of New York His first wife whom
he married in Philadelphia just prior to the
outbreak of the civil war, was Miss Eleanor
Falby. Although Mr.. Dickson had no chill
dren by either marriage he adopted son
i and daughter, both of whom survive him
| The son is a resident of Philadelphia and
| the daughter of New York.
Chief of Fire Company
Mr. Dickson was born in Philadelphia
| April 10, 1S41 and resided in that city until
| the outbreak of the civil war when he en-
| listed. He was stationed for a time at
| Fortress Monroe, as the chief of the Hiber-
MIA Fire Engine Company, No l. He par
| ticipated in the battle of Bull Run and was
| then ordered with his fire fighting company
| to Washington Here he was stationed in the
| old Union Fire Company's house on the
! southeast corner Of H and 18th streets The
| company remained in commission at this
place until February 90. 1866, when it was
| mustered out of the service. Col. Dickson
| had conceived a liking for Washington
| where he had made many friends during
| his service, and concluded to make the city
| his future home, although most of his COM
rades in the service returned to the Quaker
| city.
| AS chief of the fire service Col. Dickson
made the acquaintance of President Lin
| coin and little Tad whose youthful en-
thusiasm was at its zenith when the "chief''
| of the fire company would allow him to ride
| on the apparatus. This he often did when
| the company out for exercise, and
when denied the right to participate in
real run to fire he shed many tears.
His Political Career.
| Col. Dickson was born politician, and
| he took pride in stating that he was born a
democrat. and had never been anything
| else. His father was prominent sup
porter of the Irish Land League, and was
| for years connected with the staff of the
| governor of Pennsylvania. Col. Dickson
| was a member of the house of delegates
| for several terms when the District had
| territorial form of government. He was
| the democratic leader of that body during
| that time He was a close friend of the
| late Alexander r. Shepherd, and took an
| active part in the rehabilitation of the
| city under Mr.. Shepherds administration.
| Col. Dickson was sent to the Hancock
| Cincinnati convention in 1880 to represent
| the District democracy in conjunction with
the late Thomas j. Luttrell: That same
| year he was made the Districts national
| committeeman for his party, a position he
held until 1892, when he was succeeded by
| James L. Norris. He secured an increase
| from two to six in The territorial repre-
| sentation in democratic national conven-
lions. This increase was made in 1884, and
| resulted in giving the District votes in the
| convention, as well as seats, the only rep
resentation 1t had been allowed prior to
that time. In late years Col Dickson had
not taken the active interest in politics as
formerly. although he was an enthusiastic
his career many political positions had
been offered him, he preferred to decline
them, and in his political work he always
paid his own expenses.
Was Printer by Trade.
Col. Dickson served his time as printer
while living in Philadelphia. For many
years in Washington he was engaged in
the claims business, making a speciality
| of adjusting claims against the local and
federal governments. Although ne was
eminently successful in his profession, his
free hand and liberal disposition prevented
the accumulation of any great wealth. He
never turned away a friend in need, and
he died leaving practically no estate. In
recent years he had been engaged In the
real estate and loan business with Offices
In the Bond building.
During his residence in this city, he kept