The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-25
EX-ALO. LITTLE
DIED SUDDENLY,
HEART DISEASE

The sudden death OF Robert b. Little
from heart disease al his home. 6o Pros
pect street at 2:45 yesterday afternoon re-
moved one OF the best known citizens
OF Providence.
Mr.. Little was taken III on Friday night.
but on Saturday was apparently AS we'll
as ever and took active interest In prep
arations for a European voyage. on which
Mr.. and Mrs. Little and their grandson
were TO have sailed tomorrow from Bos-
ton. Early yesterday morning indica-
tions OF heart trouble appeared, and at
2I5 in the afternoon death came I'm spite
OF every effort OF the physicians.
Mr.. Little was born In Carlisle, England,
Nov. 6. 1888 He came 10 Newport with
his parents when about IL years old. and
learned the carpenters trade, end in 1856
married Mary Alice Brown. born I'm Stock
port, England. Mr.. Little came 10 Provi-
dence that year and started business as
carpenter and contractor. At the out
break OF the war he enlisted IN the llth
Rhode Island regiment and served three
years.
On his return from the war Mr.. Little
entered the employ OF Henry c.. Clark
of the Providence Coal Company ana IN
1871 entered the partnership OF Tucker.
Swan & CO. In 1878 the business was pur-
chased by Mr.. Tucker and Mr. Little. who
continued IT under the name OF Tucker &
Little.
in 1879 Tucker a Little sold out TO Hen
ry c. Clark, and Mr. and Mrs. Little
went abroad. Mr.. Little. with +. ID. Sim
mons. organized the firm OF r. Il. Little
e. Co. and established a coal business on
Point street. The firm continued until
December 1902. when II was consolidated
with other firms into the Eastern Coal
Company Mr.. Little was elected presi-
dent, and continued 10 hold the office until
his retirement from business in the spring
OF 1906
In politics Mr.. Little was Republican.
In 1891 he was elected representative TO
the general assembly. serving one year.
The same year he was elected TO the COM
mon council from the Seventh ward The
following year he was sent TO the board
OF aldermen from the Seventh and served
continuously from 1892 to 1898. In 1895 he
was president OF the board ard held that
office until he retired from public life IN
1895
Mr.. Little was in charge OF the building
OF the Providence Opera House. the plans
for which were partly of his drawing.
He held many patents for coal handling
HidcHhleIy, OF Wnlcn ne was among the
foremost perfecters. Among lis inven-
uons were an automatic bucket. now gem
orally used. an elevator for distributing
coal 10 pockets and a hand screw now
used on all coal carts for elevating the
front OF the cart In discharging its load
In 1880 he started the b. Line Transpor-
tation Company, and was also interested
in the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He built
the first large tugboats used in the East
and also barges
Mr.. Little was a prominent member of
the G. A. r.. holding many offices in the
state and local organizations. lie wos a
member OF long standing In the West
Side. Central. Pomham and Elmwood
clubs. He was deeply interested in the
affairs OF All Saints church. whore he
regularly attended and for some time ne
held a wardenShp.
Mr.. Little Is survived by his wife and
by one daughter. now Mrs. r. ID. Sim
mons. OF the other children Of his mar
riage. none reached maturity.