The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-15
Medical BotaniSt, a Cen
tenarian. Was Oldest In
habitantof Washington.

The body Of DIT William NJ Starr who
died at the Emergency Hospital early
today. viii probably De shipped TO Battle
Creek. Mich, for burial tomorrow or
Monday. II was removed this afternoon
to the undertaking rooms OF Yoakley
& jenkins, where It will remain pending
the arrival of DEFINITE instructions
". II. BrittOn. an old friend Il Dr.
starr. tried in vain all morning ~ get
into telegraphic communication with
Miss Hannah Hull, of Battle creek
Mich. a sister of the dead man. Mr..
Britton believes that Miss HUI viii or
der that the body be shipped to Battle
Creek. and he has instructed the IN
dertakers to prepare # for shipment.
II the body Is sent 70 Michigan, i IS
probable that the Oldest Iraabi 8 nts
Association Will not participate iT the
funeral arrangements, but II Dr. starr
Is buried in Washington members OF
the association will act az honorary
pail bearers and many OF them VIII al
tend the funeral
Death came unexpectedly early this
morning TO DR.. Starr. No friends or
relatives were present when the cen
tenarian passed away. Although ne
had been in semi-COna cious condition
evening, IL was not expected that he
was near death. About II o'clock last
night DR.. Starr recovered consciousness
and asked an attendant for glass or
water. That request was his last The
attendant heard nothing more from the
patient until signs OF the end became
evident and a few minutes before 3
o'clock DR.. Starr died. At the bedside
were DR.. J. II. WaTing and a nurse.
City's Oldest Citizen.
The immediate cause OF death was
cystltls. for the treatment OF which DR.
Starr was carried TO the Emergency
Hospital FIVE days ago. The disease did
not yield, however, and the age of the
patient also acted as a handicap.
DR.. Starts death removes from Wash
ington its oldest citizen. Last October
he celebrated his Tooth birthday ami
versary. At that time he expressed the
belief that he would live many years,
owing to the excellent condition Of his
health.
Went West for Gold.
DR.. Starr was born October Il, 1907, on
the ground On which, many years later
was fought the battle Of Bull Run. in
Prince William county Virginia. AS a
young man DR.. Starr spent considerable
time exploring in the West and made
money clearing timber tracts and build
ing log cabins, which he sold to new
settlers. In 1919 DR.. Starr Joined the
flock Of prospectors who went to Cali
fornia in search Of gold Although he
had a fair run Of luck, he never struck
it rich" When he returned East after
ten years lie carried with him SIS. 900 as
his fortune. This money was invested
/ in farm lands in southern Louisiana,
which he worked until the beginning of
the civil war. When the war began. DR..
| STAIRS estate was a valuable one. When
1t ended he was prat -iCaly Denniless.
He returned to the West for a period
Of ten years and in 1876 came TO Wash
ington, where, for tiIirty-one years, he
! practiced as a medical bOtanist.
Dr.. Starr attributed his long life 10
great care OF himself and regular hab-
its throughout life. For many years his
daily program did not vary. 10 retired
early in the evening, arose shortly be-