The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-10-20
DANGEROUS Illness Of Dir. pIumer.
baltimore Amerlcan.l

Rev. Or. William :. Plumer, one Of the
most eminent Presbyterian clergymen in
the United States, who has been lying Sc
fiously III at the Union Protestant intirm-
airy, Division aud Mosher streets, had a
change for the worse Monday, his pulse
quckening from seyenty-two TO over a
hundred, delirium setting in, and other
conditions developing which lead the at
tending physicians TO believe that he may
pass away at any time, and TO express The
opinion that it is impossible for BIN 10 last
more than a few days at the most. Since
1866 until very recently be has filled the
chair Of Didaclic and PoIemic Theology In
the Southern Theological Seminary at Co
lumbIa, 6. c., but has been in the habit OF
spending his summers in the North.
Last July he stopped over In Balti-
more TO fil for six weeks the pulpit Of his
friend Rev. DR.. Leitwich, at the First
Presbyterian church, while that clergyman
was on his vacation. This he did very ac-
ceptably. Almost Immediately upon leay.
ing Columbia the painful disease OF calculi
began TO develop, aud grew worse and
worse during his soiourn In Baltimore.
Hoping TO find relief, he made visit to his
friend Rev. Samuel T. Lowry, u. d., then
occupying Mr.. John Wannamaker's cottage
1t Cape May during that gentleman's abb
sence In Europe, and from there went on
short visit TO Mr.. s. ii. Mccormick, OF Chi
Cago, at his summer resort at Rlchteld
Springs, n. Y. Growing no better, he re-
turned 10 Baltimore, and determined to
submit 10 the operation of lithotome at the
hands OF Professor Alan p. Smith, whose
success In that most difficult and dangerous
of all surgical operations has become famous
both In this country and abroad.
The operation was entirely successful, and
such great relief did DR.. Plumer experience
that ne felt sauguine OF being able TO reioin
his relatives and colleagues in the South.
Ia this, however, he was destined TO be dis
appointed. The operation took place on
the 10Th OF September, but week after
SYMPTOMS OF a complication OF new diseases
began TO appear, and in a few days the aged
elergyman's condition was felt to be such
a. 10 justify summonlng his relatives TO bis
bedside. His grandson. Rev. w. S. Plumer
Bryan, OF Beverly Springs, w. Va, was the
first to arrive, and 10 few days was fol-
lowed by Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel s. Bryan, OF
Allegheny City, Pa, his son-in-law and
daughter, and Mrs. Douglass Plumer, Of
columbia, s. c., another daughter. These
have been constantly at his bedside ever
since, and with Miss Duncan. the matron Of
the inhrmary, have left undone nothing
tbat the tenderest affection could suggest.
Every day for week the leading Presby-
ierlsl clergymeu OF the city have been at his
bedside by turns-notably, Rev. DR.. Left.
web, Rev. DR.. Leyburn, Rev. Or. Smith,
md Rev. DIR. Nurkland. DR.. Plumer il
now 10 his seyenty-niuth year. having been
born in Darlington, Pa, July %, 1902. He
graduated = Washington College, Vir-
gioia. In 1928, studied theology At Prince
ton, N. j., was licensed TO preach in 1925,
aud a year later organized the Presbyterian
church IN Danville, Va. He afterwards re-
moved TO Warrenton, n. G., where be also
organized a church, aud preached later 10
Raleigh, Washington, and Newbern, N. e.
In 1884 he became pastor 10 Richmond,
aud In le47 in Baltimore. The church OF
which Rev. DR.. Murkland is now pastor
was built for him. In 1887 be founded
The Waterman Of The South, which he
edited for eight years. In 1854 he became
professor In the Western Theological Semi
nary at Allegheny City, Pa. and from there
10 1896 went 10 the seminary at Columbia,
where be has been ever since. he Is the
su,hor OF yoluminous works, some OF which
bare become standard among students Of
the evangelical DENOMINATIONS.