Queer Places:
Harvard University (Ivy League), 2 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Congressional Cemetery, Washington, District of Columbia, District Of Columbia, USA
Seaton Munroe (December 25, 1839 – April 6, 1896) died suddenly on April 6, 1896, at the Hotel Arno, on 16th street, Washington, D.C.. He entered the buffet of the hotel shortly before 11 o'clock and conversed for some time with Philip Roche, the owner. He was bright and cheerful, and went out apparently on his way home. He stopped, however, in the wash room, and it was here that he was stricken, for his dead body was found there by Roche at midnight. Dr. Acker was immediately called in, and in the meantime efforts were made to resuscitate Munroe, but he was beyond all aid, and when the doctor arrived he pronounced him dead. The body was taken in charge by the authorities. and Munroe's friends and relatives were notified, whereupon the remains were removed to Gawler's undertaking establishment, where they were viewed by Coroner Hammett. Dr. Hammett said there was no doubt that Munroe's death had been caused by a stroke of apoplexy, but that in order to set at rest the suggestions that had been given pullication to the effect that the dead man had committed suicide he would have an autopsy performed, and for this purpose he notified Dr. Glazebrook.
The funeral took place from All Souls' Church and the pallbearers was selected from the members of the Metropolitan Club, of which Munroe had been a member since 1871, and his numerous friends outside of that crganization. Munroe was 57 years old, and from the time he entered his teens was one of the best-known people in Washington. a leader in fashionable society and a welcomed guest to all gatherings. He was the son of Columbus Munroe, a leading citizen of the District, and his mother was Josephine Seaton, the daughter of William Winston Seaton, who, with Joseph Gales, published the famous National Intelligencer. Munroe was finely educated, and after completing his classical courses was graduated from the Harvard Law School, and, while regarded as a lawyer of superior attainments, he did not practice his profession for any length of time. He was a man of extreme genial disposition and elegant manners, and was a general favorite in club and social circles in Washington, D.C., for a third of century.
During the past few days before his death, he had been particularly bright and cheerful over the appearance in the North American Review of an article written by him, entitled Recollections of Lincoln's Assassination. He spent the evening before his death visiting among his friends, including John A. Baker. His numerous friends were very indignant over the reports that Munroe had committed suicide, and especially was this the case among the members of the Metropolitan Club.
Munroe never married. He was connected by close ties of
relationship with nearly all the leading families of the District,
including the Hagners, the Hills, the Randalls, the Ramsays and others of high
standing and distinction.
My published books:
