Evening star., 1911-06-10
Passing Of Dr.. Solomon S.
Stearns, Prominent Physician
VETERAN OF THE CIVIL WAR
Was for More Than Forty Years a
Resident of Washington.
NATIVE OF MASSACHUSETTS
Member of Masonic Fraternity,
Army Societies and Association
of Oldest Inhabitants.

Dr. Solomon Sargent Stearns, a veteran
Of the civil war; and for more than forty
years a prominent homeopathic physician
Of Washington. died at his residence, 143
Rhode Island avenue northwest, this
morning at 3:35 o'clock Of valvular
heart disease He was stricken May -
and since that date had been confined to
his bed. Up to the hour OF his death. this
morning. DR.. Stearns had been conscious
and, while not unexpected, his demise was
a shock to members of the family who
were with him and to his hosts of friends
and associates in the city.
Sunday. May %. DR. Stearns left his
residence in the afternoon for a long
walk, and returned home apparently in
perfect health. He became i'll the follow
ing day.
Had he lived until June is DR.. Stearns
would have been seventy-three years old.
His Active Career.
OF medium height and strong build. DR..
Stearns was always active. and he con-
t:nued his practice until two weeks ago.
He had numerous friends among MEM
hers of his profession. and as a member
of various civic. patriotic and military
organiza tions. the venerable physician
was kept busy attending to his social
Cuties.
DR.. Stearns was descendant of
Isaac Stearns, who came to America in
1880 in the same ship with Gov. Winthrop
and Sir Richard Saltonstall and settled
in Watertown, Mass In 1882 Dr. Stearns
published book containing the genealogy
of his family, and also q sketch of the
early history Of Watertown.
DR.. Stearns was born June Is, 1888, at
Lowell Center, Mass. He received his
eGuc2ti0n school
entered Waterville College before he was
twenty years old. He was a member of
the class of 1862.
Enlists in country's Service.
When President Lincoln issued the first
call for volunteers in April, 1851. he
volunteered to serve for three years. He
was commissioned a frst lieutenant of
the 18th Maine Infantry. and started for
the front.
He was in command Of his company
from December Is, 1852. until the battle
OF Gettysburg. where he was taken pris-
oner. July 2. 1863. Previous to this bat
tie he had won commendation from his
superior officers for bravery in several
engagements He was sent as prisoner
to Libby prison. Richmond. Va. and re-
manned incarcerated there for ten months.
He was then about twenty -four years
old.
According to Maj. l. p. Williams. now
an assistant clerk of the District Su-
preme Cour,. who was also a prisoner
in Libby pr.s3n at the same time DR..
Stearns was q. general favorite among the
hundreds of Union soldiers held there.
Always of a cheerful nature. he did
much to keep up the spirits of those
about him, and the imprisoned soldiers
flocked to him. He told humorous stories,
or cited incidents OF history which had
be en- handed down. by tradition, from his
ancestors in New England, as a means of
cheering his associates.
Among those who were imprisoned with
him in Libby who are now in Washing
ton are Capt. Joseph n. Whitney. Ma
thaniel a. Robbins, both of Maine regi-
ments: Capt Thomas H. Mckee. late
warden of the District jail: Charles Max
well. en- attorney: Maj. A Won. Haake
topographer OF the Post Once Depart
ment, and Maj Williams.
Exchanged in March, 1864.
DR.. Stearns did not escape with Maj.
Williams and the los others who dug
tunnel from the prison and got away
February ., 1894 but he was exchanged
March IL 1854. and Immediately left
Richmond for his home in Maine. Soon
after reaching Lowell Center he married
Marryette NJ. Barker. daughter of Maj.
John Barker OF the same place The
ceremony took place April l. 1864. He
came with his bride TO this city short
ina off 1rG nI aIt roI