The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-11-07

The 0ownaAll or D Virksnss Preach,
er-DsnorajRfnE Ffsoet or the I'm.
suRanco Business on An Eloquent
Dsvtne--A Shining Hight Lights
Ont. s a,4 -
About two years ago Rev. R. ". Harris,
Methodist minister, came to this city
from st. Louis as the agent Of the DE Soto
Life Insurance Company. Rev. MIR. Harris
was originally from Virginia. man oil
good family, fine address and personal ap.
pearance. He was splendidly educated,
and possessed remarkable powers Of clio.
quenee. He brought the best recommends
tons, and was noted for his pietv and zeal
Previous to coming to this State he had
been engaged in preaching the Gospel and
featuring upon life insurance in Wisconsin,
and so successful had he been in the latter
business that his employers sent him to this
State. He soon made friends and business,
and IN short time was appointed State
agent for the company. The business pros.
pered 10 his hands to such an extent that
he could not attend to it alone, and he en-.
tered into partnership with MIR. 8. w.
Roplee. Immediately on his arrival he was
taken by the hand by his Methodist breth.
rem and invited to preach. He joined the
Kentucky Conference, and was Jealous in
the work Of the ministry whenever he could
cpoIc VIC Iltllc iEUlll Ills otCuldl uuGtcSs 11C
has preached in nearly all the Methodist
churches In the city and In many through.
| out the State. He also iectured In various
places upon the subject Of insurance.
Some years ago he married, against the
| wishes of her parents, Almost estimable
young lady in Virginia. Last spring she
| went to that State to visit her parents, and
he accompanied her there.
During his absence the De Soto Insurance
| Company sold out to the Republic hsu'
rance Company, of Chicago. His partner,
Mr.. Roplee, went to St. Louis and secured
the agency of the Mound City Company,
| expecting Harris to remain with him
| Upon the return of Harris from Virginia,
| some months ago, he sanctioned all thai
Roplee had done. .....
Shortly alter, however, Harris went tc
St. Louis and remained there some weeks
and upon his return paid such little atten
ton to business that Roplee was compelled
to dissolve the partnership. Harris theI
secured the agency for the Republic Insu
rance Company, OF Chicago, the SUCCESSOR
of the De Soto. .... .r.,
His friends began to notice that lie acted
strangely. He would remain away from
his office and his boarding house for day
together, and would give no reasonable &C
count Of his conduct. His friends begal
to suspect that he INDUCED Zoo freely II
the use Of liquor. The suspicion was sool
proven to be certainty, as he was seen il
q beastly state of intoxication several times
Next he began to frequent gambling hell
topenly, Stunned all his former friends, ant
was the boon companion of the most aban
doned gamblers in the city. His bushes
was utterly neglected, and the money b.
had earned ana that belonging to the com
pany was squandered in his insatiate Thurs
for liquor and the excitement ofthe gamin,
table. Then he began to borrow from hi
friends upon various preteXts all the none.
he could. His only child was taken terribl.
ill in Virginia, but letters and telegram
calling him to its bedside were alike TN
needed. ....
On Friday Of last week he went to th
managers of the Southern Mutual and toll
them that his company had been ruined b,
the Chicago fire-a statement which ha
since proved to be false-and asked for
situation. He was ut once engaged at
liberal salary and received 5000 cash. a.
then left the city, and nothing has beer
heard of him since.
| 1t il almost certain that he has used lare
amounts of the company's money in addi
ton to the amount he has borrowed. Al
officer of the company is expected to arriv,
here In day or two to take charge Of thu
office, which was left wholly uncared fo
by Harris. Meantime the Office is in charg,
of DR.. G. P. Blackburn.
| It is supposed that Harris, finding tina
he was about to be detected in bis misdeal
ings, and unable to face exposure ant
srIest, has attempted to hide his shame b,
charlottesville Ledger. "