Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-09

George Williamson, sixty-six years
old, secretary of the Shoemaker Com
pany, 1911 E street northwest, who was
known to hundreds of Washingtonians,
government officials and friends in
every walk of life. dropped dead yes
terday morning at his home, 202s 18th
street northwest, while playing with
his collie dog.
Mr.. Williamson was preparing for his
customary Sunday morning walk, and
his collie, Teddy Roosevelt" was tug
ging at suit of clothes which Mr..
Williamson held, when he gasped and
fell back on his bed, dying before aid
reached him. Death was due to apo
plexy.
Mr.. Williamson had not been in his
usual health for several weeks, but
had continued at his post at the Shoo-
attended the double header between the
Washington and Chicago base ball
teams at the American League Park,
and the excitement caused by the con-
tests Is thought by friends to have had
something to do with his death
Funeral services are to be held at
the family residence at $3.50 o'clock
Wednesday morning, following which
mass will be said at st. Paurs Church,
18th and v streets northwest. Mgr.
Mackin is to of1iciate. Interment Is to
be in Mount Olivet cemetery.
Born In Washington.
Mr.. Williamson was born in this
city September rs, 1S49, being Of Eng
lish descent. He was one of the best
posted men, concerning the history of
the District of Columbia, and COM
bined his intimate knowledge of local
history with great skill as story
teller He had been a member of the
Association of the Oldest Inhabitants
for many years.
His friends declare that he mixed the
first gin rickey ever served in the
United States, although he himself had
not touched a drink in twenty years
The rickey was named after the man
who told Mr.. Williamson how to make
1t. Col. Joe Hickey of Missouri, a we'll
known politician and bon vivant of
twenty-five years ago.
With August Noack, Mr.. Williamson
had been associated in the manage
ment of the Shoemaker Company for
nearly a third of century. He had
been planning to go to Saratoga the
week vacation, an annual trip in
which he had INDUCED for more than
thirty years.
He leaves two brothers. John T. Will
sister, Mrs George r. Aiken. all of this
city. and two nieces. Miss Julia Aiken
of this city and Miss Rena william
son of Philadelphia.
Knew Many Great Men.
Mr.. Williamson probably knew per-
| sonally more politicians Of big and
lesser repute, and from every section
| of the country, than any other man in
Washington. He was keenly interest
ed in politics himself, and generally
| managed to turn the drift Of the con-
versation to that subject when in the
presence of well informed men.
In former years. when convivialitv
than now, statesmen Of convivial habit
| would take their visiting constituents
| to call on George Williamson, partake
| of his "dispensations'' and discuss the
signs Of the times.
politics has been thrashed out. If not
| settled. in his presence and himself
participating in the discussion. In the
quaint cobwebbed old place a few doors
the company some Of the most noted
men in Congress would stop on their
way from the Capitol homeward to
have a word with George, and there
would probably be a sprinkling Of
mental officials and. chances are, a
judge or two in the group.
| Whereupon there would be much of
| the same kind OF talk that old Omar
Khayyam described-and with the same
result. 1t was one feature of a certain
phase Of public life in Washington in
the SOS and sos, but of which very
little is seen now. The passing OF John
lChamberlin's famous restaurant and
the passing Of, the men who sustained
it marked the change in customs and
habits.
The death Of George Williamson re-
moves another link between the old
and the new men and manners in pub
/ lie life. He was essentially a part of
l the old regime. and mono realize better
than he the change that has come
: q hout