Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-03-11
RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE.


ForEy-seven years have elapsed since
old John Randolph. he eceentric Sea-
atoF of NirEsnias who was pleased 60
write himself 'sIland0lph Of Roanoke, !"
died 10 The City Hotel, % North THIRD
street, Between Market and Arch. xk
will Be remembered thai Mr. Randolph
reached this city one evening Ia June,
on bis way 20 Europe. He came on
the Baltimore packef--fhe weather was
rainy and ihe SIS was chilly. TIE pack
e for Eur6ps I'D sailcd, and the y.
nous Virginian. who was dying BY
inches, was alone and without friends.
A col0red man, named John, who ac-
cOmpanied him in all his travels, had
gone out in the storm to search for q
hack. The best he could find was
without windows and with very leaky
root. Ia this the invalid was placed,
and driven from hotel to hotel without
being able to find shelter until the City
Hotel was reached. This resort was
kept BY Edmund Badger, q jolly Boni-
face, who came here originally from
Connecticut with his brother. the late
Alderman Badger. Mr. Badger was
well provided with guests, but promised
to do all within his power for the COM
fort of Mr.. Randolph. who thanked God
that he bad found friends. The City
Hotel has long since passed away to
make room for modern stores, but there
are many old merchants who recollect
il and describe il as rather pretentious
three-story building. At the side was
large gateway, through which the
| farmers drove their wagons. Although
large number OF farmers made this
their regular stopping-place, many prom
inent men had also been guests at this
hostelrie. The street numbers Of the
hotel al the date referred to were Al
and 43, but The site ls now numbered
| 45 and AZ. The room in which Mr..
Randolph died was thereafter held too
sacred to be occupied for number OF
years, and was generlly pointed out to
Virginian had breathed his last. twas
here that his will, manumitting bis
slaves, and which he had brought with
him m his baggage, was read aloud TO
him by DR.. Joseph Parrish, physician
and a member OF the Society Of Friends,
residing on Arch street, above Third
The witnesses were DR.. Isaac Parrish
Ia son OF DR.. Joseph Parrish DR.. Fran
els West, brother Of Captain James
West. member Of the present Board
OF Health, and Edmund Badger, the
proprietor Of the hotel. John, the faith
fnl servant, heard the instrument read
that was to make him free man. Mr..
Randolph wanted witnesses, because,
he said, the laws of Virginia were
very particular about such matters;
especially where the manumissron oi
slaves was involved. He is said to
have added that he wished some one
present who wore "a metal button" on
his coat, or. in other words, some one
who was not q Quaker. It was while
surrounded by the the people mentioned
that the win was read, and the old man
expressed himself as being plrased with
IL. The scene at that moment 10 des-
crlbed by Dr.. Parrish. 80 papers that be
LETT. as being deeply affecting. The dy-
ing man stretched forth hIs attenuated
hand, and said. as the will was read !:
Especially for this boy John" The
latter, conscious Of his masters rapid
ly-approachIng dissolution, and over
whelmed with gratitude for this act oi
kindness. burst into tears. DR.. Parrish
states that Mr.. Randolph sald when he
entered the room: 81 know you through
Giles" and the Doctor supposed that
Mr.. Randolph alluded 10 the late Gov
ernor Giles, Of Virginia. by whom DR..
Parrish was frequently consulted. The
Doctor and all the witnesses renamed
with the dying man until be had passed
away, as Mr. Randolph said that tins
was required by the laws Of Virginia
where a-testament Vas made freeing
slaves and providing for their subsequent
support. IE making his preparations to
die Randolph had bis fathers old breast
button or stud brought to bis bedside,
and hole large enough for il to tit in
mas cut in his shirt. Dr.. PaFFish's pa
pers state that he laid perfectly quiet
Tor few moments. with his eyes closed,
and then a very dramatic scene followed.
The room was hushed in stiffness, v hen
Mr.. Randolph suddenly reused Up and
exclaimed: "Remorseln II vas re-
peated again. and third time, at the
top Of bis voice. and with agitation. He
cried out: LET me see the word; get
dictionary; let me see the word. He
was told that there was none in the
room. "Write it down, then--let me
| see the word" The Doctor took IN
iron table card bearing the words
Randolph oi Roanoke, !" IN which the
servant bad punched hole that il might
be tied to the baggage, and asked lf be
should write It on that. and Randolph
responded that there was nothing more
proper.
The recent removal of the remains
Of Dir. Randolph from has old home at
Roanoke, and there reinlerment in Hol-
lywood Cemetery. at Richmond has
opened discussion ia some Of the news
papers regarding bis death, and q re-
n0rter Of The Record made inquiry
among . number oil old residentso OF Phil
sdeiphsa 10 ascertain il any OF those
present Al The lime of his death we're
now living. but found that they have
| all passed away. The widow of DR..
Isaac Parrish. the youngest Of the phy-
sicians 0f that name present IL The
desthbed scene. Is living in this city,
and Is remarkably wei preserved. Tie
reporter i0und m The possession of this
lady the card upon which The word
"Rrmorses was written. Ills ! small
rsnrp az Rrf~fnf Hoard anA H.. "a a.r