The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-20

According v. the proclamation of the
Mayor, the public offices OF the city were
closed yesterday as mark OF respect TO
the memory OF Mr.. James b. Royster, late
Auditor OF the city. On the doors OF the
various Offices placards TO this effect were
posted, and in the City Hall an unusual air
OF quietude rested, in appearance more like
a Sabbath day than any other.
City-Collector A. X. Woodson, a life
| long friend Of the deceased Auditor. busted
himself early in the day in securing an
amount OF Grape, with which the Office OF
the Auditor was appropriately draped.
The presidents OF the two branches OF
the City Council had requested the Board
OF Aldermen and the members OF the Com
mon Council TO meet at the Council cham
ber and attend the funeral Of the Auditor
in body, and by O'Clock this request
had been responded TO by nearly every
member OF the Council and Board Of
Aldermen. Hacks had been provided by
Sergeant-at-Ar August, and the men,
bers OF the Council moved from the Coun-
ell chamber to the residence Of the de-
ceased, corner OF Twenty-siXth and Frank
| lin streets, on time.
| The high esteem and the affectionate regard
| in which the memory OF Mr.. ROyster Is en-
balmed could not have been more directly
and delicately testified than ii was in the
character and numbers OF those who yes
terday, despite the sweItering heat OF a June
sun, came out TO pay him the last tribute OF
respect. The house was filed by ladies and
gentlemen. and many did not attempt to
enter at all.
The remains were rested in handsome
burial-case, which was nearly completely
hid by rich prOfusion Of floral offerings,
rivaling in design and effect anything OF
like character lately seen here.
At 4:30 O'Clock the remains were borne
| from the house. and the procession moved
| forward to Grace-Street Presbyterian
church, from which the funeral took place.
The friends and relatives OF the deceased,
the honorable Mayor of.the city and presi-
dents Of the Board of Aldermen and
Common Council, the members OF
the Council, city officials, and commits
stoned officers OF the Richmond Light In
fry Blues (of which organization Mr.. Roy
ster was at one time member), composed
the procession-which was an unusually
large one.
At the church the funeral ceremonies
were conducted by Rev. DR.. X. X. Howl
son, OF the Presbyterian Church, assisted
by Rev. j. Wiley Bledsoe, of the Trinity
Methodist church. The house was filed
with friends, and the ceremonies were
deeply impressive.
When the days length was nearly run,
and the sunlight was fast fading to dark
ness in the West, all Of this world that re-
mained OF J. b. Royster was gently laid to
rest In Hollywood cemetery by loving
hands, and the verdict that went out from
them all was that they had lost good
friend, the city an honored officer, and the
community bright and shining example
of merit and worth. The prayer OF all was,
May he sleep well.
The following gentlemen acted as escort
and palI-bearers: Aldermen w. II. Pleas
ants, f. T. Glasgow, and Joseph c. Dick
erson; Councilmen James Hayes, \. ID:
Hargrove, j. T. Ellyson, L. :. Rose, and
j. NJ. Higgins; City Collector y. X. Wood
son, Treasurer Samuel c. Greenhow, Com
missioner Robert II. Munford, City Attor-
nev 4. NJ. Kelley. Superintendent OF Gas
Works John II. Knowles, City Sergeant n.
NJ. Lee, Commonwealth Attorney Samuel
b. Wit. City Clerk Edward c. Howard
Messrs. II. G. Cannon, j. X. Preston, Rob
ert Stiles. /. Davenport, Jr., j. Il. Pace,
and II l. Christian.