Obituary of Dr. Andrew Baillie PRICE: Allegany County, MD

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Anne Ponder

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Obituary of Dr. Andrew Baillie Price from Chipley-Dewees Bible owned by Mrs. W. 
E. Stewart (Betty Dewees Stewart).  This was pinned within the Bible owned by 
Margaretta Elizabeth Chipley Dewees, Mrs. Timothy Bryan Dewees, of Madison and 
Hinds Co., MS.  (The newspaper was The Journal, a Frostburg, MD newspaper and 
the writer was most probably the editor of that paper.)

Dr. Andrew Baillie Price   (Picture of Dr. Price included in obituary)

     The illness of Dr. A. B. Price, of this place, heretofore noted in these 
columns, terminated in death shortly after 5 o’clock last Sunday afternoon, 
April 15.  He had been confined to his bed nearly a month with troubles 
developing into acute anaemia.  All that the combined skill and constant 
services of his brother physicians could do for him was without avail.
    Andrew Baillie Price was born in Charles county, this State, October 5, 
1840, and was, therefore, 59 years, 6 months, and 10 days old.  He was a son of 
Dr. John Francis and Sarah (Carrington) Price, and inherited both his father’s 
profession and excellencies as a citizen.  His early education was acquired at 
Charlotte Hall, from which he retired to read medicine under the tutelage of his 
father.  In 1865 he entered the University of Maryland, graduating therefrom 
several years later with the degree of M.D.  In 1867 he located at Stephens 
City, Va., where he resided until 1870, when he removed to Ocean, this county, 
and in 1878 came to Frostburg.
    While residing at Stephens city Miss Laura B. Taylor, of Hillsboro, Va., 
became his wife.  This lady lived but a few years and in November, 1876, he 
married Miss Annie J. Chipley.  That latter survives, with two daughters---
Misses Margaretta Carrington and Nellie Fairfax---and one son---Thomas Orville.  
One brother also survives---J. Alex. Price, of Baltimore.
     As a physician Dr. Price was a model.  He was endowed with the instinct, 
insight and resources of one born as well as reared in the high office of 
restoring to health the ailments common to mankind.  In this field he was a 
scientist, soldier, paraclete.  His learning, courage and tenderness gave him to 
know in therapy’s high court of last resort what, how, and whether “the heroic 
remedy” should be employed.  In consequence his judgment enjoyed to a pre-
eninent degree the respect of his professional brethren and the entire 
confidence of his larg and always growing clientele.  At his death, therefore, 
all have lost a friend, brother and benefactor.
    So far as professional duties would permit, Dr. Price manifested a patriotic 
interest in municipal, State, and national affairs.  His last active step was 
taken in the public service when, accompanied by this writer, he made a strong 
plea to Hon. John Walter Smith, governor, for executive favor of the 
appropriation to State Norman School No. 2.  His wide reading, always profitable 
to a mind enriched with memory’s preservative function, made him socially 
interesting and genially instructive.  He was a staunch democrat---loyal equally 
to party friends and principles---this one tenacious trait of pardonable 
conviction furnishing a key to the sterling quality of his character.
    The JOURNAL cannot do better now than close this sketch with a quotation 
from the dispatch of the Frostburg correspondent of the Baltimore Sun.  In 
speaking of the doctor’s association with himself of brother and nephews to meet 
the demands of his practice, mention is made of the distressing fatality which 
about 4 years ago befell his brother, Dr. Thomas C. Price, at the railroad 
crossing below Union mine, the latter also an accomplished physician and 
cultured gentleman, Continuing, he writes:
“He (Dr. A. B. Price) constantly attended to the exacting duties of his 
profession, even to the neglect of his personal comfort.  He was often seen 
driving home into Frostburg asleep in his carriage after being all night as well 
as all day on his rounds.  It was not infrequent that miners on their way to the 
mines early in the morning would meet him along the highway asleep in his 
carriage after a faithful night’s attendance at the bedside of a patient.  For 
25 years Dr. Price traveled for miles around Frostburg through the fierce storms 
of winter in obedience to the calls of the sick, often satisfying himself with 
the rude fare of the humblest homes and dozing in a chair to snatch a few 
moments of rest to enable him to go on.”
    That report is not overstated indeed, it may be added that for ___?____ of 
that faithful, uncomfortable, ?, sacrificing service he received little or no 
pay, often making no charge where he este __________?_____ bill a mere addition 
to the family’s poverty.
    His latest associates were Drs. J. Marshall Price and J. C. Cobey, the 
former latterly practicing independently.
    A few years ago he was the county’s democratic nominee for the State Senate, 
but with the entire ticket was overborne by the predominace of the opposition.
    The doctor was a member of the Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum, Heptasophs 
and Elks, large delegations of whom honored the obsequies Wednesday afternoon by 
attendance in regalia.
    The pall bearers were-----
    Active---Drs. B. M. Cromwell, C. C. Jacobs, Timothy Griffith and W. ?. 
McLane, Messrs. J. B. Wright and F. C. Beall.
    Honorary---A. A. Dout, J. H. Hitchind, B. S. Randolph, John D. Barnard, 
Davison Armstrong, Howard Hitchins and Charles T. Barnard.
    The services were held in St. John’s Protestant Episcopal church, of which 
he was a vestryman.  Rev. A. C. Haverstick, rector, was assisted by Rev. W. D. 
Gould, of Lonaconing.  These services took place at 2 o’clock, but as a mark of 
universal respect all business places were closed from 2 until 4.
    At the grave, in Allegany cemetery, the Royal Arcanum and Elks each read the 
burial formulary, Clayton Purnell supplementing in the latter behalf and oration 
eloquently befitting the subject and occasion.

Pinned next to the above obituary:
                                                             Married
    Thursday evening, April 19, 1900, at the home of the bride’s mother, by Rev. 
A. C. Haverstick, assisted by Rev. Frank G. Porter, Miss Margaretta Carrington, 
daughter of the late Dr. A. B. Price, of this place, to Dr. Minor Gibson Porter, 
of Lonaconing.  This wedding was to have taken place Tuesday evening in St. 
John’s Episcopal church but was postponed on account of the death of the bride’s 
father.  It was his request, however, that the original program be carried out 
nearly as possible.  The mother desired the bride to wear her wedding dress of 
white satin, with long train, and a tulle veil.  Only the families of the 
contracting parties were present and the young ladies who were to have acted as 
bridesmaids.  After the ceremony Dr. and Mrs. Porter drove to Cumberland to take 
the train for New York.