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MR. W. F. SAMSON.
SUDDEN DEATH AT FREMANTLE.
A shock was caused at Fremantle yester
day morning when it was announced that
Mr. William Frederick Samson had died
suddenly from apoplexy at his residence in
Ellen-street. For some little time past
Mr. Samson had been somewhat indis
posed, and recently he undertook a six
months' visit to the Eastern colonies for
the benefit of his health. He returned a
short while back, apparently all the
better for the change. On Sunday evening
he visited his brother, Mr. Michael Samson,
and remained with him until after 10
o'clock; and was in the best of spirits. Yes
terday morning on rising he stated to his
wife that he had not felt better for a long
time. Proceeding to the bathroom he evi
dently must have completed his morning
plunge, when apparently just as he was
leaving the room he fell down stricken with
an apoplectic fit. A towel was round his
neck, and he had a piece of soap in his
hand. The unexpected death of Mr. Sam
son has called forth widespread expres
sions of sympathy from the whole commu
nity.
The deceased gentleman, who was
born in Perth, was a son of the
late Mr. Lionel Samson, who arrived
in Western Australia as far back, as 1829.
Mr. Samson at the time of his death, was
the sole proprietor of the flourishing mer
cantile house, so well-known as Lionel
Samson and Son, having joined his father
in the business in 1878. Prior to this he
had gained a good training in the National
Bank, which he joined as a boy, and in
which the rose to the position of accoun
tant. Mr. Samson, who held many impor
tant positions in the port, was only 45
years of age. He was twice Mayor of
Fremantle, and was a councillor for
several years. Among the many positions
which he occupied were those of director
of the West Australian Shipping Associa
tion, of the Swan Soap and Candle Company,
the Fremantle Building and Investment
Society, and of the Sun Insurance Com
pany,
The deceased was a prominent Mason,
being P.M. of Fremantle Lodge 1033, E.C.,
and P.Z., Royal Arch Chapter. He leaves
a widow and three children, two sons and
a daughter; the other relatives in the
colony being his brother, Mr. Michael
Samson, of the Customs Department, Mrs.
Scott and Miss Samson, whilst in South
Australia there is another brother and
sister to mourn his loss, namely Mrs. Oaks
and Mr. Louis Samson. The funeral is
appointed to leave the deceased's Iate resi
dence, Ellen-street, at 4 p.m. to-day, for the
Jewish portion of the old cemetery. During
yesterday the flags at the Town Hall and
variious business houses were flying at half
mast.
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