The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-29

After an illness Of several weeks, during
3 great part OF which he was in a
eomatose condition, Gen. William F.
Draper. former Ambassador TO Italy
died at $50 o'clock last night at his
home. Connecticut avenue and X street,
Of cirrhosis of the liver He was sixty
eight years old.
At his bedside when the end came were
his wife and children. Admiral Rixey,
Surgeon General of the navy. attended
Gen. Draper during his illness. and DR.,
fremont Smith, Of this city. and Dr.
Wright, Of Hopedale. Mass, were several
times called into consultation.
Although the funeral plans have not
been completed, it was announced last
night that services would be held in this
city and that burial would be in Hope
dale, Mass, the generals former home.
Native OF massachusetts.
William Franklin Draper was born at
Lowell. Mass. April 8, 1872 He attended
public and private schools and studied
mechanical and cotton engineering and
cotton manufacturing.
When the civil war broke out ne en-
listed. serving from August. 1861, until
October. 1854 He held commissions as
second and first lieutenant in the Twenty
fifth Massachusetts Infantry, and as cap
tain, major. and lieutenant colonel COM
manding the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts
Infantry. He was also colonel and brig
adler general by brevet. being retired as
q brie edier general OF volunteers.
Gen. Draper did not escape the war un-
scathed. He was shot through the body
at the battle Of the Wilderness, May 6.
1854, and was slightly wounded at the bat.
tie Of Pegram's Farm. September 80 Of
the same year.
After the war, Gen. Draper became a
manufacturer of cotton machinery, max
ing and patenting many improvements.
He was the founder Of a great industrial
plant at Hopedale, Mass, where he made
his home at one time. He was quite
wealthy.
Politics claimed a large share Of his
attention. He was president of the Home
Market Club OF Boston in 1891 and 1892;
delegate TO the Republican national con-
vention in 1876; colonel on the staff of
Gov. Long from 1850 10 1883; Presidential
elector-at-large in 1883; elected TO the
Fifty-thlrd Congress as a Republican
and reelected TO the Fifty-fourth Con
gress, and Ambassador to Italy from 1897
10 1899, res!gning in the latter year.
Came 10 Capital to Live.
After his retirement from the dipIo-
matte service, Gen. Draper made Wash
ington his home. He purchased large
house at Connecticut avenue and X
streets. The fondness Of the general and
Mrs. Draper for society made their home
the scene Of many notable entertain
ments. The last Of these was on the oc-
casion of the debut Of their daughter,
Margaret Preston Draper. This was on
December g last At that time Gen.
Draper gave his daughter string Of
pearls valued at $4,000.
His Family Connections.
Gen. Draper was twice married, his
first wife being Miss Lydia W. Jov. Of
Massachusetts. by whom he had one
daughter and three sons. The daughter
became the wife Of Montgomery Blair. Of
this city, the well-known clubman. One
OF the sons died while travelling IN Eu-
rope Gen. Draper's second wife was
Miss Susan Preston. OF Kentucky, who
survives him.
Gen. Draper was a brother Of Gov
Eben s. Draper, Of Massachusetts who
was in Washington last week at the con-
ference Of State executives. tt Is said
that a family feud had existed for a
number Of years, which had estranged
the brothers to such an extent that there
had been no communication between them
Cor many years