Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-01-02
DEATHS.

Died, on Tuesday morning, Dec 3Oih, MARY
WooDsoN, only child OF John and Virginia
Hendree aged three years and three months.
Died, in Petersburg, on The Goth day Of De-
cemher, Mrs. REBEcCa p. STRAcnAS, widow OF
the late Dr. John Slrachan.
Departed this life on Sunday morning the % h
Dec, ripe in years, and after having onllved near
" all his contemporaries. DR.. JAMES Drew Nc
cav The death Of This gentleman demands
something more than mere passing notice.
The eminent professional and social position 10
which lie attained in this city, a. time when its
society for intellectual power, and refined grace,
and elegance Of manner, was unsurpassed per-
haps by any Other in the world, the possession Of
the friendship and confidence Of such master
spirits OF intellect as Bushrod Washington, John
Marshall, John Wickham, &c.. &c. and others
of such pure virtue as The reverend John Blair
and Alexander Buchanan, justify the opinion,
that the individual thus honOred and supported
could be no common man. a slight sketch OF his
life cannot be unacceptable 10 many who recog-
nized in him the link which bound their memo
ries 10 by-gone days, when eyes that then .hone
brightly have darkened and voices that chcered
have died away in The solemn stiffness ard
silence of The grave. He was The friend and
physician OF our fathers and molherS-nay, with
many OF our 2randlaiheIs and grandmolhers; and
Il
note be taken OF his departure? Dr. McCaw
was born At Cabin Point, Surly county, Virginia,
in The year I'LL.
A long and unbroken career Of more Than so
years practice was illustrated and adorned by
series OF The most brilliant triumrhs in both lie.
partments Of his profession Unamhious, he
never cared 10 trumpet forth his various surgical
operations, The number, variety and Importance
Of which, would, il properly reported, have given
him national, in place of provincial repuIa-
lion. A genuine love Of his profession, and
kind and benifcent hear induced his equal at
lenion 10 rich and poor, and numerous were The
charities in this way conferred by him.
Apart from his profession, Or. McCaw was
emnenlly ailled 10 shine in social life; bril-
liant wit, fine conversational talent, and exube-
rant animal spirits made him most agreeable
and desirable cOmpanion--tO these he added The
gyaces OF fine person, and all The varied ac-
compliShments that constituted The educated gen.
llcman of that day. These versatile qnalihca-
tons were additionally adorned by refined TASTE,
high sense Of honor, and an impeluous courage,
almost amounting TO Tashness, tempered, how
ever, by great gallanlry) which commanded
alike the respect of friend ard Toe. An OPP
ponuniiy for their useful exercise, prompt
" seized by him, may be here legitimate
" mentioned. When The appalling burning of
the Richmond Theatre took place in The win
ter of 1911, DR.. McCaw was presen'. Al the
cry Of fire, recoleclins the great crowd and mar
row lobby, he leaped from The side box on The
stage, in the hope of securing the escape Of his
party behind il. Pressing The curtain aside, he
discovered such mass OF fame as must eiec-
lually cut of all egress in that way. Returning
Instantly BY a backward leap, and supporting
his wife, he forced his way 10 The famous East
window, around which he found clustering and
fsr.x a hrSD Of n
tort had proved unsuccessful in opening The shut
ters, which were strongly barricaded on The out
side. By an effort of strength almost supema-
tural, he dashed 10 pieces the obstacle and The
first gtish of fresh air gave life TO numbers who
would have persisted without il. Taking his
stand then BY The high window, he announced
his determination 10 secure The safety of every e.
male before any man should escape. This he
carried into effect, and then, literally surrounded
in flames, assisted the men in The same way
Al last, alter saving very many lives, his
clothing reduced TO mere crisp, as the floor
sunk beneath his feet, he leaped from the win
dow, the last human being that escaped through
that outlet. His fall produced an injury OF the
thigh, that rendered him powerless for motion, and
he lay under the wall OF the burning building, un-
Ill his own son "a mere lad recognised his voice,
crying Tor aid, and dragged him down The hill,
out OF danger from the falling wall. Months of
severe pain followed, during the first few weeks
OF which he could not permit the removal Of a
single piece Of his rlolhihg-when al length This
was done, the very flannel next his skin was found
burnt, and universal cicatrix Of the back, evil
denced The amount Of heat he had borne; the pain
iul effects OF the burn, having been completely
concealed by The greater suffering from The torn
muscles OF The thigh. The heroism of this con-
duct, was only equalled by The modesty which
prevented his giving The details for publication,
often solicited from him.
His narrow escape on this occasion, and the
heavy discipline consequently undergone, induced
him 10 turn bis thoughts 10 his Maker and Pre-
server. The seed then sown, gradually ripened,
and finally ma,ured into faith, firm and abiding,
in The promises OF Saviour; in which faith,
DR.. McCaw lived and died. His death was calm
and composed. He was enabled 10 observe and
lorelell, The regular approaches Of The grim mon
ser, as each fatal symptom developed ITSELF un-
I'll uuerance failed him.
"Life's filiul dream" now over he has gone 10
rest from his labours. we may iondIy hope, III ex-
pec,aton Of joyful resurrection.