The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-13

Major George r. Norton, superiuteu.
dent Of the City Railway,
Gone TO His Rest.

Major George Fisher Norton, slperin-
tendent Of the Richmond Street Railway
Company, died shortly before o'clock
yesterday morning at his place Of resi-
dence, No. 303 east Franklin street.
The deceased, who was soldier Of
marked courage, was the son Of DR.. Nor
ton, who for many years lived at Magnolia
latc the farm Of Mr.. Nat. Bowe), in Hen
rico county, and who was a physician and
agriculturist Of high standing, and whose
name is linked with grape well-known
throughout Virginia as the Norton seed
ling. This son OF his was born in May,
1S40, and was educated at the Virginia
Military Institute, and had just graduated
little before the breaking out Of the late
war. When Virginia seeded, he assisted
Captain Griswold in the organization OF
Company u, Old Dominion Guard, OF the
First regiment, and was chosen orderly
Juno: second lieutenant, and ut Yorktown,
April %, 1862, at the reorganization OF the
company, he was unanimously elected
captain.
At the battle OF Seven Pines he fell
wounded in the thickest OF the fight about
him, and lay upon the field for long time
before relief came. He was again wound
ed at Gettysburg, and there won his COM
mission Of major for conspicuous gaIlantry.
In May, 1864, he was in command OF about
400 men, who met Warren's corps Grants
advance) near Milford, and by daring re-
sistance held them in check until Long
streets men came to their aid. For this
service Major Norton was highly compli-
mented by General Pickett and Gen. Lee.
s,,,< % fbn - /,
war Major Norton was, when not disabled
by wounds, ever at his post. His men
were devoted to him-as there never was
a time when he was not in the front; never
time when he was not ready for the most
dangerous venture; never time when he
was not ready TO strike blow for his State.
The war over, Major Norton returned to
Richmond and sought to establish himself
in business. At one time he was the pro-
prietor Of a drugstore opposite the Ex-
change Hotel, but the enterprise did not
succeed. A few years ago he was elected
superintendent Of the Richmond Street
Railway Company, and showed much apti-
tude in its management, the present sound
and prosperous condition OF the enter
prise being in large measure due TO bis
efforts. Never robust man, he contracted
q serious illness by exposure one winter
while attending to the removal Of the snow
from the company's track, and the seeds
OF consumption, long before laid, then
took deep root in him. He was quite well
on last Saturday morning, and that day
attended military relnion, but he re-
turned home at night unwell, and took TO
his bed, never to rise again. BY Monday
his case, which was dysenteric in its main
feature, was regarded as almost hopeless.
lie was perfectly aware Of his condition,
and resigned to death.
He stated that he had some tiplc ago
written letter, to be opened Immediately
after his death, giving directions as TO his
funeral and naming his pall-bearers- This
letter he placed in the hands OF Mr. jack
son Bolton. who was out OF the city yes
terday, on which account it could not be
reached.
Major Norton had long boarded with
Mrs, Louisa X. Norton, widow OF his bro
ther, j. Hatley Norton. She was away in
Washington when he was seized with this
last illness. Being telegraphed for to re-
turn she promptly came to Richmond, and
soon after she saw him he told ber that he
would not recover. Concerning his fune-
raj he spoke with great calmness and good
sense. He was conscious till within few
hours Of his death, and bore his sulierings
with patience.
At the retinion OF the Old First in 1881
Sergeant Major i. r. Polak, who was then
in Atlanta, wrote a letter OF regret that he
could not be with his old comrades, closing
with the following very expressive utter
ance concerning the chivalric soul now
deceased;
81 propose the health Of onewhO when
in command was always in advance ex-
cept when on the retreat; who when we
engaged the enemy never directed us to
90, but always said, Come !-the tender
friend yet strictdisciplinarian, beloved us a
man and honored as modelsoldier-our
own Major George Fisher Norton God
bless him."
His funeral wall take place h 5 O'Clock
this afternoon from st. James church, and
the following gentlemen will act as pail
bearers W. il. Palmer, Phil. 1iaXall,
Polk Miller, G. O'B. Cowardin, B. L. Au-
gust, Il. L. Maury, Charles T.. Loehr, w.
X. Martin, Ben. j.. Howard, and Colonel
Langley.
The military escort will consist OF the
First regiment and members OF the Old
First. lnterment at Hollywood.