Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-05-22
WOODS, 50,
EXPIRES SUDDENLY
Architect of Capitol Was on
Vacation to Recuperate
From III Health.

Elliott Woods. architect OF the
Capitol. and prominently identified
In architectural work in the Capital
for the past thirty-eight years. died
this morning at 9 o'clock at Spring
Lake. y. j., where he had gone for
a months rest. Death Is believed
to have been caused from heart
trouble. He was ftty-nine years old.
Mr.. Woods had been in poor health
for several months and was advised
by his physicians to take a vacation.
He left Washington with his wife
last Saturday for Spring Lake to visit
her uncle, T. A. Kastner. Previously
he had been suffering from high
blood pressure. induced to a large
extent. his associates declared. by
overwork.
He was born February 2. 1854. near
Manchester, England. during a visit
of his parents. Mr.. and Mrs. Marshall
c. Woods. abroad. He was educated in
Indianapolis. and at the age of thir-
teen entered factory to study wood
carving. He displayed considerable
youth.
moved Here In 1884.
In 1884 he moved to this city where
he obtained a position in the old Con-
gressional Library. located at that
time in the Capitol. BY exhibiting
great ability in architectural knowl-
edge. he was six months later trans
ferred to the office of the architecture
Since that time he had been constant
ly employed there.
He entered the architects office as
foreman and later rose to the position
of chief clerk under Edward Clark.
Later. as Mr.. Ciark's health began
to fail. he was made chief clerk and
acting architect. Upon Mr.. Clark's
death. in 1902. he became superin-
tendent. a position similar to that of
architect, but without the title.
This change of title was made by
an act of Congress in commemora-
ton of Mr.. Clarke's long service. In
1920 Congress again established the
title of architect as a tribute to the
achievements of Mr.. Woods. Accord
ing to his associates, this title was
more precious to Mr.. Woods than any
thing he could wish for.
Served for Thirty-efght Years.
Mr.. Woods service of thirty eight
years is marked by many notable ac-
complishments. Among many other
duties he was largely responsible for
the architecture of the Senate and
House office buildings. the Court Of
Appeals, the Court OF Claims. the Co
lumbia Hospital, the dormitory at
Kendall Green, the deaf and dumb
institutions: the Capitol power plant.
the enlargement Of the Capitol
and the Scottish Rite cathedral at
10Th and streets.
Mr.. Woods served on the coming
commission of the District of Column
bia and the enlargement Of the Cap
itol grounds commission. He was a
consulting architect of the proposed
Masonic Temple to be erected on Tenn
pie Heights here.
He took an active interest in the
sciences and was an early expert
menter in astronomy, wireless teleg-
raphy and telephony and the X-ray
He was a member of the Cosmos Club,
the Chevy Chase Club, the Racquet
Club and the Royal Astronomical So
ciety of London. He resided in Stone
leigh Courts.
Active in Masonry.
He was also actively interested in
Masonry and took an active part in
the affairs of the craft besides his
drcniteCluTdi "oTh. ne was d MEMBER
of Temple Noyes Lodge, No. 80, F. A.
A. M; thirty-second degree Scot
fish Rite Mason and member of Almas
Temple. Ancient Arabic Order, Mobiles
Of the Mystic Shrine.
He was married to Miss Emma G.
Brock of this city, May 26, 1897. Sur
viving him, besides his wife, are his
mother, Mrs. Katherine Woods, and a
sister, Mrs. Fannie Johnston.
Funeral arrangements have not been
completed.