The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-06-29
DEATH OF MISS LUCY COURTNEY.
Another Link OF the Past Gone-Wonderfully
Retentive Observation-Disclosures Rem
iniscences OF the Olden Time.

Shortly after O'Clock yesterday morning
Miss Lucy Courtney died at the residence
OF Mr.. Haryie Barnes, 901 west Grace
street.
She was one OF the most remarkable
characters in the city, and in her death is
lost another Of the living links that binds
the present with the past. She was born
March II, 1881, and was consequently
ninety-fiye years OF age.
Hers was n strangely chequered life, and
was full OF interesting incident. She was
the granddaughter OF Rev. John Courtney,
the first regular pastor that ever occupied
the pulpit OF the First Baptist church. As
matter OF course, Miss Courtney imbibed
the faith Of her fathers, and in early life
connected herself with the First Baptist
church. There were three distinctive
characteristics by which her life seemed
mostly guidcd-first, the Baptist Church;
second. admiration for genuine aristocracy;
and third, devotion to the cause OF the
Wings. Her folk lore in all these direc-
tons was simply wonderful, disclosing n
it did the working Of mind capable OF
| such power Of retention and such clearness
OF statement as TO create amazement
almost to the extent OF increduity
OH the part OF those who listened
while she displayed her powers OF conyer-
sation. II is said OF her that she could
almost repeat the Bible, and il was no com
mon thing for her IN her latter days TO give
the text rerbdtiig and repeat sermons that
she heard more than half hundred years
ago. A distinguished divine short time
since called upon her, and the converse
ton turning upon the lamented DR.. Jeter
and the time when he accepted call TO the
First Baptist church Of Richmond, she
without effort repeated the text taken by
Dr. Jeter for his first sermon, the hymns
sung, and the greater part OF the sermon
preached.
In connection with the growth OF the
Baptist Church herc she stated that ut one
time only a small lock gathered. There
were no pools for bapt.zing in those days,
and the river was TcsOrted TO. Indeed, II
was not in the days Of Parson Courtney
considered proper to Use pools. However,
after awhile Mr.. Archer Thomas went 10
! philadelphia TO sell his tobacco, there being
poor market here, and as he was Bap-
tist Inc went to the Baptist church in that
city, and there saw for the first time pool.
/ Upon his return to Richmond he conferred
with the brethren. and finally wrung an
unwil.,nc assent 10 have pool in the
| church. o..
Throughout Lor long life she lived rs il
/ in the presence OF Jesus, and ii her temper
/ cave way in the long years OF helpless
bodily ailments it would only be for a
brief while: she would Immediately ac-
knowledge the fall before temptation, ana
imnlore forgiveness. For thirty years She
had been totally blind and deaf, but those
who knew her well could communicate
with her with very little trouble by touch
inr her hand. She would ask questions,
and a significant squeeze was interpreted
as an affirmative. Her iayorite hymn COM
mences "Adieu, adieu all earthly things"
and a short time before her death she Re-
marked. with composure, "FlI soon be
walking the streets OF the new Jerusalem,
then there will be no more blindness, no
more deafness, no more sickness, sorrow
or pain. I'll soon be roaming in the bcall-
tiiul valleys.
At the time the Richmond Theatre was
burned, in 1911, Miss Courtney was living
with her grandfather, Parson Courtney, IL
the old frame building now standing in tht
rear of st. Peters Cathedral. She had lus'
returned from prayer-meeting, and The
, Parson had lighted his pipe and was taking
his evening smoke. Miss Lucy looked ou
, OF the window and saw flames issuing
from building. "Grandpa," said she
sour church is on fire." There were n(
. buildings then to obstruct the view, anc
, the theatre and church were 30 near eaci
, other as to be easily mistaken one for th'
other.
, Miss Courtney was soon at the scene, ano
, used to say that she caught the first per
: son-a young girl-that jumped from th'
! burning building. All night and part o
the next day she stood by the side OF TIN
4 sufferers from that dreadful December fire
: Miss Courtney was never married. One
she was engaged, and her lover went 81
: far rs TO secure the license. Proud Of TIN
proximity OF his marriage he appeared be
fore his sweetheart armed with the license
In the mean time she had been informed o
: the bitter opposition on the part OF he
D lovers family. When he showed her tn
, license she took them in her hand, and go
ing 10 a candle saw the red light reduc
!, them TO ashes, saying a she did so, "
cannot consent to see you make an enem.
: OF your family on my account"
Z There is hardly a man living in the Stat
o that kept better posted on political ques
4 tions than did Miss Courtney. She wa
d well acquainted with Thomas Ritchie, Ben
: Watkins Leigh Henry Clay, Hampdel
Peasants, and others. On one occasion
!, great Democratic dinner was given, ant
Mr.. Thomas Richie sent Miss Courtney
!. !. basket OF fine peaches, which at The tim
: was rarity. When she saw them she said
: "Take them back to MIR. Ritchie with Mis-
= Courtney's compliments, and tell him II
7, never eat peach | cannot AFFORD to acceI
=, one fresh from Democratic dinner.
Last Friday she said, in alluding to Gu
i teau: "One week from to-day that poo
!, Young man will be hung. What pity th
/ blame did not fall where it properly b'
:. longed-upon Arthur and his party"
IS In her last days she received the unr.
c, mi,tin9 attention and tender care Of friend
% who were well able to look after her con
4. fort. and Il is said that the gentle gratitud
e and confiding trust she displayed In all I'll
'e scenes that marked the close OF her lon
es life was sweet In It's simple purity.
h. Strange as il may seem, she was never
nj day In her life. except from the ravag'
e Of time and the general wearing away
H. natures machinery. She was buried at
o. o'clock Yesterday evening, ana after
ie eventful life sleeps sweetly by the side
.. her mother