The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-29
sKrrcI or coLoNEL PoPHAy.

Colonel John r. Popham was born in
Rappahannock county, Va, and Is now
about FORTY years Of aye. He Is man OF
diminutiye stature, but OF iorceiul ana IN
netuous disposition. and in his habits has
always indicated = fondness for pleasure
and freedom from the restraints that gov
sr.r most men i'm their social intercourse.
Previous to the war he came 10 the clty
NJ Richmond. and was employed as clerk
or salesman in a store. When the news
came OF the establishment Of the Con-
iederate states Government at Mont
gomerv. Ala, and the threatened At
tack upon Fort Sumter. AT Charleston.
south Carolina. Colonel Popham was seized
with the idea Of Offering his services 10 the
vounp Government. He had made many
warm friends here by reason OF his gene
rous and afIable manners, and among
others the gallant Beverly Douglas, VINO
caye Young Popham a strong letter OF IN
frodnction 10 friends at Charleston. Pop
ham went 10 Charleston, :. c.. but did not
enter the army, and after the scene OF war
drifted back 10 Virginia he returned to
Richmond, and remained here until the
war closed. He then removed TO Bath
county. Va. and entered the law oihce
of Judge W. II. Terrell. With his
usual address he succeeded in sOcn be-
coming a ftvorite in his new home, and
ontness in political affairs caused attention
~ he directed to him, resulting in his being
returned 10 Richmond n a member OF the
| House Of Delegates from Bath county
| while a member OF the House he showed
Great activity a. politician. and made
0uite n reputation for shrewdness IL debate
and aptness in repartee. He returned 10
Rath county at the close OF the session oi
/ 1s-0-'-1. and became involved III person
al quarrel with a man whom he killed by a
| blow on the head with billet OF wood
He was tried and acquittedfor TINS offence
the defence OF his case being IN the nanu'
of General William skeen.
Colonel Popham was next seen around
Richmond during the sessions OF the LeSis-
lature, keeping keen eye OH pou'lca
movements. and taking q prominent pos-
ton as q lobbyist.
In 1871, when Captain Robert W. Hughe'
was made Judge OF the United state " i
trict Court for the Eastern district OF or
rinia he rendered Colonel Popham the po
sftion Of clerk OF the court, ana II wa, ao
cepted. After this Pophan was maui
member Of the Republican state Cehtr1
Committee. and took an active par
In the political struggles OF Ms parry
He founded the IHteIligencer newspaper
in fhe spring OF 1879, and during It's con
dn.t had 4 difficulty with nj pusHSs
manager. in which Popham ulschargeo
niStoI NJ him al such close range tnal gram
nf the charge OF powder were nhpeddeu Il !
the face OF the young man. for I'M
offence he was lined 500 ana sent 70 lal
for a month. In the early aSiiatioh oi III
debt question Colonel Popham was pro
nounced Debt-Payer. Dut nier he wen
over 70 the Mahoneites, ana STUCK 10 I'M
l nartv I'D TO the time Of his misfortune, ui' m
Y nlayinc here the same actiFily anu ehtel
: nrise in the field OF his new ialth thal en-;
4 racterized his movements when pre'ious'
: opposing II. ,i,t no vvas elevate
e vas that Of superintendent OF the Iolaihs
n room Of the document Department ol ~
V House OF Representative onue Guar .i' =
. .ap;-ed chiefly bv the large amount ef pa
+ received for the small amount Oh "or
J. done. vsr
+ s,.r.,cb from Washington receive
> a sh. uaJ atter midnight states that Col
= ias' n.ih,1, nisI s,rneriutendent OF the Hou
;, nei opn" n,,, has not been removed fro
that position He has mo MOI Sssr Ss son N SAY says III
). here for some days, anu o.s sun says
: father has gone to Culpeper'
ID d RAMA grateful rain {: fell ,aar. during : 7
Is .,,araoor Yesterday. Slight though I
r. sho,,ar va. Il had the effect OF aDating I
r. drea,tni beat and causing man ana ne,
At f1asl ~ hrna,ha ne more free. At O'Clock T.
70 ossa,ne oms,er meter registered oso in the sha
en- ~ sas ,hn nisnnteh Office. and when the n
IN tue DtsP". ,ejoek. the mercury h