The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-02-07
ALONZ0 {. GROOM
State Comptroller Of Florida. Died at
the Home of Judge Joseph Bell I'm
Oeaia Early This Morning

It would be impossible TO describe
the sad surprise of the people Of
Oca1a when they learned this morning
that the high state official and hon
ored visitor to the city, Comptroller
A. c. Groom. was dead.
Mr. Groom. while visiting among his
other friends in the city, was the
guest Of Judge Joseph Bell. and made
his home with the judge in his fat in
the upper story of his house at the
corner Of Fort King avenue and Wa
tula street Here. Mr.. Groom repaired
last evening, after a day Of pleasant
mingIing with the people Of the city.
After a light supper, and some con-
versation with Judge Bell and the
other young men, Mr.. Groom retired.
He was at that time, TO all appear
ances, in good health.
Judge Bell sleeps on the veranda,
next to the room which was occupied
by Mr.. Groom. About O'Clock this
morning. the judge was awakened by
a call from Mr.. Groom and. hurrying
TO his bedside, found him in considera-
BILE pain. Mr.. Groom complained Of
pains in the chest which afterward
affected him in his lower limbs. The
judge at once telephoned for DR.. \. l.
pants of the adjoining apartments.
Dr. Izlar came promptly, and at
once saw that Mr. Groom was in a
serious condition. He called to his
assistance DR.. H. G Dozier. and they
did all in the power of medical skill,
for their patient. but without avail,
and at half past FIVE Mr.. Groom passed
away.
Mr. Crooms son, Mr.. VIII Groom, in
| Jacksonville, and informed him of the
sad event. Mr.. Groom directed the re-
mains to be sent to Tallahassee for
burial McIver e MacKay were no
tilted. and made the necessary prep
arations. and at noon the body of the
distinguished visitor left the city that
he entered in seeming good health and
spirits two days ago.
The remains were taken to Jack
sonvil1e. accompanied by Judge Bell,
on the Seaboard Limited They will be
met in Jacksonville by Mrs. Groom
who was in Tallahassee, but was al
once notified by wire of her husbands
death. by Mr.. Will Groom. her eldest
son, Mrs. Sallie Bell Groom. the widow
of another son, J. Hardy Groom, who
died some years ago. Miss Daisy Bell
and many sorrowing friends.
The remains were also accompanied
to Jacksonville by Sheriff Galloway
and Mr.. r. S. Hall, representing Ocala
Lodge B. P. o E, and Col J. H. Liv-
ingston, representing Marion Camp L
c. v. Col. ] NJ Martin. Major T. D
Lanca ster, Mr. ]. H Brooks and other
old veterans escorted the sad party tC
the station. Mr.. B. W. Blount came
up from Tampa on the train, and wen
on with the other saddened friends o
the deceased to Jacksonville.
Mr. Groom was having a pleasan
visit to Ocala and seemed to be enjoy
ing himself greatly. He was not ex
act1y working in the interest of hi
candidacy, but was having an enjoya
Bile visit, which was as pleasant 70
others as for himself, for he was
most genial and we'll informed gentle
man. He was the guest the create
part of yesterday of Sheriff Galloway
and took dinner at that gentleman
residence.
Alonzo Church Groom was a nativ
of Florida. born in Gadsden count.
about IS years ago. He served hi
state bravely in the Confederate army
and after the war removed to Her
nando county, where he passed a mum
Der of years in business and publ
life. In 1902 he was elected stat
comptroller. which office he held at hi
death. He a most efficient an
popular official, and his place will b
. difficult to fill Living for many year
in a nearby county. he was we'll know,
l and much liked in Marion, and ha
many close friends among its leadin
citizens.
| His death is deeply felt by Judg
Bell who stood high in the dea
statesman's friendship, and returned j
in full measure.