The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-04-20

March,
Father Weed was in his fifty fourth year, five
of which was spent in the ministry. His remains
were taken to his native city for interment
Right Rev. Bishop McGill, in his sermon after
the funeral obsequies, spoke very feelingy of the
virtues of the lamented Father Weed who ended
a holy life by very happy and edifying death.
R. up
DEATH OF MAJ. BENZ. FIcKL1N.-This gentle
man, for gentleman he was in the fullest sense,
died very suddenly in Georgetown, D. G., several
weeks ago. He was in perfect health, and came
to his death by getting fish bone in his throat
which could not be extracted, and from which
inflammation ensued, followed by death. We knew
Major Ficklin we'll. His was magnamimous
spirit. There was nothing sordid or contracted
about him. Bold, adventurous, generous, manly
he bound to him, as with "hooks of STEEL" all
who had the pleasure Of an intimate acquaintance
with him He was brother of S. W. Ficklin,
Esq, of Charlottesville. We take from the Intel
hgencer of the 18th Of that place, the following
notice Of Major F's. death:
This gentleman died very suddenly in George
town last Friday, and we record his death with
sincere regret
Major Ficklin was born in this county on his
fathers farm, situated between Mediums River
and Greenwood, on the 18th December, 1927. In
few years afterward his father, Rev. Benz
Ficklin, removed to Charlottesville where his son
was reared and sent to school. When he attain
ed The age of 16 he entered the Virginia Military
Institute, and when, at the breaking out of the
Mexican war, he left it and volunteered in Rich
| mond company. His health failing he returned
and again entered the Military School where he
| graduated. H then became teacher of youth,
but after session or so, he went to Texas. He
was fond of adventures, was fearless, persever-
ing, and had ndomitable will and couaage.-
| He was exact, Prompt and honest. whatever was
possible for man to do he would accomplish or
have accomplished. In California, Utah and the
then wild and unsettled country in that section
of the United States, he became familiar with
| from personal observation and travel. lie en-
| tered there upon the hazardous business of a
mail contractor am in March, 1860, planned and
carried into successful operation the celebrated
Pony Express, which went through from st. Jo-
| seph in Missouri, to San Francisco in ten days.
This was an unprecedented performance and no
person but one endowed as he was would have
succeeded in it the first trip made, carried the
news of the failure of the Democratic Convention
to make nomination for President at Charles
town, South Carolina.
! Major Ficklin, in most remarkable manner
passed through many dangers and escaped death
|
and mules were captured by the Indians and kill
ed, yet he escaped unframed. On the battlefield
at Malvern Hill, one of the bloodiest battles in
| the late civil contest, our troops had been killed
all around him, yet he succeeded by his own
hands in saving g. cannon abandoned by those
who had served it. Gen. A. s. Johnston valued
his services very highly, and he greatly benefit
ed the army under that brave officer in receiving
supplies, and penetrating that unsettled country
i1to British territory to effect that object.
! Major Fcklin was of inestimable value in serv-
ing his cou ,ry by running the blockade and get
ting pplies Of clothing, war material and pro-
visions. Here, teo, he had several hair-breadth
escapes from disease and the vessels of the
United ates. After the war Cor while he set
tied in B. Iii nore, Tut ultimately went to Texas
and becon e Mail Contractor, and at the time OF
his death a partner with others in carrying
the mails thousand miles. His headquar-
tiers was San Antonio, and his life was but q Sc
ries Of rowing venture He was man of few
words and his lie tiers were brief. Noble, gen
erous and char TABLE his purse was always open
to the poor and needy, and his benefactions were
bestowed cheerfully, and often unasked. In the
very last weeks ef his life he sent to clergyman
in Richmond munificent gift for the poor. Maj
Ficklin was whole souled virginian and his Ms
tive State and county have need to be proud Of
him. He undoubtedly died possessed Of a large
amount of property, and had he lived he would
have been one of the richest men of the age, as
we'll as one of its greatest benefactors. By the
mismanagement of an agent in one instance he
lost $250000 by the faiulre Of merchant in Lon
don.
Major Ficklin's remains were brought here
from Georgetown on Sunday and were 1nterree
with Masonic honors by Widows Son Lodge, and
he now rests by the side of his venerated parents