The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-21
LOCAL MATTERS.
An aged and Wealthy Citizen Burned
60 Death In His Dresstnr.roOnf,

20 Death In His Dressfnr.roouf,
Mr.. VIM. Barrett, an aged and highly re.
spected citizen Of Richmond, died at his
residence, corner of 9th and Cary streets,
Yesterday, under most distressing circum-
stances. 1t was about IL O'clock. He had
just nnlshed breakfast. The colored man
servant, w llson, went to another part of the
chamber to put away the dishes. and MI.
Barrett took piece Of paper and went to
the CRATE to light his pipe. Wilson. tBrn-
ing around moment after, saw the old
gentleman standing before the fire, with the
hem Of bis dressing-wrapper on fire. He
was trying in feeble waY to smother tha
blaze, but the material Of which the wran.
per was made being light and wadded with
cotton, almost instantaneously he was enyeI-
oped in flames. The servant. himself almost
infirm, stood for a moment panic-struck.
and then dragged his master out of the room
into the passage. He then ran back to get
O blanket, which he threw over him; but
upon his body had been burned, and he was
not ONLY scorched all over, but had inhaled
the flames. Drs. Cunningham and Marx
were called in as soon as possible, and rem
dercd all the aid that humanity or art could
dictate, but in vain. Mr.. Barrett died at
twenty minutes past O'Clock in the after
noon. He remained conscious almost until
the last, and did not seem to suffer much
pain.
The deceased was probably. with one ex.
ception, the oldest native citizen of Rich
mond, and was reputed to be the wealth..
est. He had entered upon his eighty-fourth
year, and had always lived here. In early
manhood he was for while member Of
the firm of Higginbotham, Barrett & Co.,
importers. He then became a tobacco man
ufacturer, and continued in this business
until about the beginning Of the late war.
AS a tobacconist he was eminently success
full, not only in amassing riches, but in
building up reputation for ability
and integrity which was almost world
wide. His connections with foreign
houses were extensive, and his brands Of
manufactured tobacco were widely cele-
brated. When he retired he turned over
his business to Mr.. John K. Childrey, who
had been with him for many years, and to
whom he was personally much attached.
Though he lived alone for a considerable
part Of his life, the deceased was of socia-
BILE disposition, and had a good deal Of
company. He enjoyed the society ofyoung
men as well as of the companions Of his
youth, and was fond Of relating the history
of his life, which, though it could not be
called eventful, had many interesting epi-
sodes. He would recount with peculiar
pleasure the story of his campaigning in
the war of 1872, and compare its few Incl
dents with the experience of those of his
friends who served in the later and greater
wars. He was proud also of being an hon.
orary member of that time-honored mill
tary organization, the Richmond Light In
fantry Blues.
1t is fact worthy Of note, in conclusion,
that Mr.. Barrett had Of late frequently eX-
pressed great dread Of fire. He was much
horrifed at the burning Of the Spotswood
Hotel, and the consequent loss of life, and
to be burned up Several times he re-
quested his great nephew, who lived in the
same house, not to make 4 fire in his own
room, but to come and sit with him, 80
great was his fear of the destructive ele-
ment-by Whssesa saseneY he ssas at last usil-
cred to another.world.