The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-10-10

entine 60 Make His Bnst-A Great Funeral
observation-disclosures by Drs. Hawthorne
and Burrows-Burial at Hollywood.
MT. James Thomas, Jr., long q promi-
nent citizen Of Richmond, died Sunday
morning about O'Clock at his residence,
northeast corner Of Grace and Second
streets. For years he had been in poor
health, but his troubles were from an az
gravated form Of dyspepsia, with spoplec-
Ic tendencies, whereas his last illness was
from pneumonia contracted in some unex-
planned manner.
4 part OF the summer Mr.. Thomas spent
at the Hot Springs. and from there went TO
Asheyille. y. C., 10 the home Of his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Connaly. About two weeks ago
he returned 10 Richmond.
Tuesday OF last week he was taken with
cold. but was well enough to 90 out that
day. and he went to the depot to meet his
daughter, Mrs. Carlisle. who was coming
home on visit. But from that time on he
grew worse. on Friday and saturday he
was very i'll. He was perfectly aware Of
his condition, and spoke 10 his wife with
conposure OF his nearing end.
TIE FAMILY STRANGELY GATHERED TOGETHER.
Always man Of intense affection, but
never at any time dcmonstrative, il was
with JOY THAI be could not conceal that he
saw gathered about his dying bed all Of hi,
own children and four of his sOns-in-law
BY a strange coincidence all Of these with
the exception Of DR.. Quesenberry, who was
summoned by telegram) came together from
Wldely-Scparated palt- Of the country with
out concert OF action and with no idea Of
hi, illness. Rev. Mr.. Connally and NJ
Pearson, two other sOn~-in-aw residing
near Asheyille, y. c.. were telegraphcd
for, but there WAS no train which could
bring them in time.
Mr.. Thomas suffered. hut not intensely,
from difficulty in breathing. These pains
he bore without murmuring. He was quiet
and composed, speaking gently To all about
him until two or three hours before death.
when be fell into unconsciousncss and then
into that blessed. sleep from which none
ever wake 10 weep.
Mr.. THOMAs'S EARLY LiFE.
Mr.. Thomas was born in King William
county. February :. 1906, bat all hi> boy
hood was spent in Caroline. and he there
received the education impaired in country
schools Of that period.
His first essay in business on his own ac-
count was in Lynchhurg. where he soon
made friends and won confidence by hi
frankne,s, industry, and intelligence.
Here he gave indications OF that boldncs,
Of enterprise and soundness Of judgment
which made him one Of the wealthicst men
Of the state.
over fifty years ago he settled in Rich
mond and began In successful career a
manufacturer OF tobacco. Instead OF pur
suing tie old methods, Mr.. Thomas struck
out new and bold plans for himself. His
mind was inQuisitiye and scli-reliant, and
be saw that certain sections Of the state
were adapted to the production Of a grade
and STYLE Of tobacco which might be grown
and manufactured at rcmuneraiiye prices.
BRIGHT LEAF.
lie thu. encouraged the growing, while
lo became prominent is a manufacturer Of
the brieht-leai tobacco.
He was also the pioneer in if not the 81
gaciOu, inventor Of the light-qre> scd to-
baccO in al IL varieties. His inventive
genius and uncommon precision served
him yaluably in this quick rivalry, and 50
successful were hi, brands. that they found
ready market in Europe and America. BY
careful management and sklful finan-
citring Mr. Thomas accumulated a hand
some fortune. In 1913 and at the cyacua-
ton i'm 1860 he lost very heavily 10y FIRE,
his lo,,e, in the latter year amounting 10
. over half million dollars. He manufag-
tured largely in Lynchbur., Danyille. and
Richmond. and has q warehouse al Ashe-
Vile. and also TWO farms.
THE GRASP OF HIS NND.
Mr.. Thomas rather ile,hy figure, round.
omen face. ana gray beard. were known 10y
oil men here in Richmond. for hc moved
about great deal in hi ea,y-Soing
carriage: but never much inclined 10
talkafivcnc.s. and long prevented hy Ill
health from freely mingling with the pco-
ple. but limited number had the opportu-
nitV Of Judging of hi, requirements.
BEGINNING with bat common-school
/ education. yet enjoying the intercourse o.
, men Of lofty culture, and with mind
noted for it. reccptiyenc,s and tenacity, ne
= had educated himself 10 The degree that one
of his friends, himself a great scholar
p spcakine OF Mr. Thomas q few wears ago
. felt justified in sayin.: Mr.. Thomas J.
close thinker. a logical rea>Oner, ana sllleu
e with rare financial foresight. Preachers oI
p national reputation have acknowledged IN
dcptedness 10 him IN the Interpretation O
I dinicuN passages In the scriptures, anC
2 eminent statesmen and tinancier> have con
. suited him proftably on questions o.
. finance and political economy. II be ia,
! turned his attention 10 politics he Woul'
have rivalled Morris or a Colbert
IBE CHURCH.
Mr.. Thomas was always A great Bible
reader, and for five years past IL j DeiieNc &c
that he averaged near two hours per ua! Il
studying it, sacred pages.
i III. church he almost idOliZed.
Ii was in lS21 that Mr.. Thomas, then Du
twentv-one. proies-cd religion under lh
: nrcacLing Of Rev. John kerr pastor oi IN
First church that was before the liesoN
First-church editice was built).
With the First church Mr.. Thomas wa
c connected to the day of hi death. As Go'
c had blessed him with great prosperity Il
business. he was able, and il was hl> pecu
J liar pleasure, 10 help it in liberal contrlDu
J., tions. For q great many years lie Wa
d teacher in the SUNDAY school. From Isl
1 10 1866 he was the superintendent OF th
sunday school. He was superinlend
o on, Of The sunday school in 1853, and th
: day appointed for the sunday-school pi'
Il mic was the day on which his factories wei
. DESTROYED bv fire. Notwithstanding th'
calamity be refused TO listen to the >uSge
e ton that the picnic be postponed, al
T, himself went along with the schooi IL
nothing had happened.
n RICHMOND COLLEGE.
IF Mr.. Thomas was one OF the incorpor
70 tors ~ Richmond College, and next 10 h
e family and church. OF earthly things
i"vrd that best. He was friend to
wben # was in sore need. He endowed
- ,hora and from first 10 last gave