Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-26
MR., SAM CROSS DEAD
Quietly Passed Away at His
Home Last Night.
LONG A RESIDENT HERE
Held Many Offices Under the Local
Government.
KNOWN IN BUSINESS CIRCLES
Former Associates Speak of Him With
Affection and Deep Regret
at His Death.
KNOWN IN BUSINESS CIRCLES

ness men of the capital city and man
whose friends could not be numbered, died
last evening of dropsy at his home, 1852
Harvard street northwest, shortly after 0
o'clock, aged seventy-three years. Around
the bedside when the end came was his
wife and daughter, Miss Hattie Cross. Mr..
Cross who was secretary of both the Wash
ington Safe Deposit Company and the Ma
tional Metropolitan Fire Insurance Com
pany. had suffered from dropsy since the
latter part of August. Although feeling
badly he kept going to his Office each morn
ing until about two weeks ago, when he
was compelled to stay at home for several
days on account of weakness. He seemed
to regain his strength for a day or so short
ly, but did not go again to his office, his
gradually weakening condition causing him
to keep to his room. Four days ago he
seemed to grow much worse, and upon the
advice of his physician he took to his bed.
From that time he gradually became weak
er until the end came, as stated, last even
ing.
Words Of Regret.
When the news of Mr. Cross death spread
over the city many were the words of re-
greet heard on all sides. Those who had
known and loved him in life were a unit
in declaring that in his death Washington
had lost one of it's best residents as well
as one whose life work stood as a monu-
ment for all that was Straightforward and
upright in the business life Of the COM
munity
Mr. Cross was married twice. His first
wife was a Miss Miller. daughter of a
prominent resident of Southeast Washing
ton. The union was blessed with one child,
Miss Hattie Cross, who resides in this city.
Some years after the death of his first wife
Mr. Cross married Mrs. Ella Burbridge, a
n Of Mr. George Nnrhpck All dur
ing his life Mr.. Cross loved Washington.
He loved to hear of the plans proposed
for the Identification of the capital city.
His residence on Harvard street in Column
bia Heights shows the rare taste that al
ways characterized his every effort. He
was of the simple men of the capital
who loved the heights, and when the OPP
portunity presented itself some years ago
he occupied the home where he passed
away. His father, Thomas Brooke Cross,
was an employe of the navy yard In the
early days of the history of the city, and
inculcated in his son the love of the mu-
nicipality. When the civil war broke out
Mr.. Cross was an ardent admirer of the
union, and Immediately raised a company
as the captain. When the territorial form
of government was In effect in the District
Of Columbia Mr.. Cross several times Of
fered himself as a candidate for the as
seemed always to appreciate the honor con-
ferred upon him and did much to better
the condition of the city.
In the district Government.
Sometime afterward he became attached
to the Office of Tax Collector Dixon and
during his service he made the acquaint-
ance OF many of the leading men of the
city. The friendship here won continued
until the day of his death. Mr.. Cross was
an active member of the Oldest Inhabi-
tant Association and of many other local
organizations. Mr.. Cross was known as
one who possessed a fine bass voice and
upon many occasions he gave pleasure to
many with his renditions of musical selec-
lions. He also sang In several churches
but during the last years of his life he
had not been member OF any church
choir. The funeral will take place on
Wednesday afternoon at the residence
Rev. George F. Dudley, rector Of st.
Stephens Protestant Episcopal Church.
will conduct the services The interment
sional cemetery The honorary pallbear-
ers will be Messrs. E. F. Droop, William A.
Gordon, w. H. Hoeke. Thomas Brown, j.
Holdsworth Gordon, George C. Henning. c..
pallbearers as chosen are Messrs. James
NJ. Greene. Edward H. Droop, Watson F.
Clarke. William Hitz, c. B. Lower and
Carl Droop.
A Tribute From Friend.
An incident that thoroughly shows the
high regard that Mr.. Cross was held in by
his friends was the reading of poem on his
life at celebration of his SEVENTEEN BIRTH
day anniversary, held several years ago. by
Mr.. c. B. Lower. 1t was entitled Our Good
Old Friend Sam Cross" two verses of which
were as follows:
OUR GOOD OLD FRIEND SAM CROSS.
''Threescore and ten years old today,
hale and hearty as at twenty one:
Good for q hundred. may he live it we pray
With lifework noby done
Grand among men in his bearing and mien:
No common turbulent boss
He rules by the love he compels all to give.
Our good old friend Sam Cross.