Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19
Prominent Railroad Man Dies
Suddenly in New York.
RESULT OF ATTACK OF GRIP
Physicians Had Not Considered His
Illness Serious.
KNOWN AS EMPIRE BUILDER
Extensive Operations in the North
Reputation-Reside in Denver.

NEW YORK, March 1s.-David H
Moffat, banker and railroad man OF
Denver, died here today from the after
effects of grip in the seventy-second
year of his age. Yesterday he was UP
and about his apartments in the Hotel
Belmont in unusually good spirits.
Shortly after o'clock today he had a
chill and went back to bed. The house
physician was called and did not think
it serious. Mr.. Moffat himself felt nc
alarm, but he did not lie comfortably
II wish you'd help me turn over" he
felt a tremor run through his body,
his lips parted. his eyes closed and he
was dead without another word.
Several years ago Mr.. Moffat had a
severe attack of pneumonia. which
weakened his lungs. Two months ago
he came to this city on business, and
cold, which the doctors diagnosed as
grip. Symptoms of pneumonia de-
veloped. but the superficial indications
after death were that only a small
patch of one lung had become con-
gested. Death was due directly to a
fore. which succumbed to what would
not otherwise have been a dangerous
strain.
Not Considered Serious.
Although Mr.. Moffat kept to his
rooms from the time he was taken ILL.,
he was not confined to his bed. but
spent part Of his time lying down and
part Of 1t in an easy chair, with a
few occasional steps from room to
room
His business associate, William G.
Evans, who is president Of the Den
Yer Tramway Company, one of the
Moffat properties. and vice president of
railroad, of which Mr.. Moffat was
president. and which is widely known
as the '.Moffatt road" was not alarmed
for him. and was not at his side when
he died. Only the house physician
and the nurses were in the room.
ever, and DR.. Alexander Lambert, the
well known specialist. was one of the
doctors called in consultation.
Helped Develop Northwest.
DENVER. Col, March 18-For many
years David H. Moffat has been recog-
nized as a leading citizen Of Colorado.
His connection with the development Of
the state had gained for him the name
of empire builder Perhaps his great
est recent work Of development was the
Denver, Northwestern and Pacific route.
known as the Moffat road, in honor Of
the builder. This road, to extend from
Denver to Salt Lake. has been completed
beyond Steamboat Springs. Col.
Mr.. Moffat was rated many times a
millionaire. his wealth being estimated
as high as $4O,O0OOOO. He was born in
Orange county, n. Y. July q. 1S39 When
twelve years old he became messenger
to the New York Exchange Bank. In
1855 he was teller in the banking house
of a. j. Stevens & Co. of Des Moines,
Iowa, and later became cashier in the
Bank of Nebraska in Omaha.
pacity Mr.. Moffat started for Denver by
wagon train. For six years he was In
the stationery business: then, in 1855, he
organized the First National Bank OF
Denver.
Interested in Mining.
Turning his attention to mining and
real estate. he soon became one of the
most extensive operators in the state,
being interested in more than 100 mining
companies.
AS railroad builder his activities were
marked. He helped construct the Den
yer and Pacific railroad. connecting Den
yer with the Union Pacific in Cheyenne.
the Denver and South Park, now part
of the Colorado and Southern system;
the Boulder valley; the Florence and
Cripple Creek and for many years was
president of the Denver and Rio Grande.
In 1871 Mr.. Moffat married Fannie A
Buckhout of Saratoga Springs, N. Y. One
daughter. Mrs. j. A. McClurg of Denver
horv nf