The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-30
LOCAL MATTERS.
sudden Death OF Colonel Thomas III.
LearY.

LeATys
The announcement OF the sudden death
of Colonel Thomss II. Leary on Sunday
was shock to his large circle OF friend.
and acquaintances in this city. To his i'm.
mediate family 1t was truly heart-rending.
He bad Just returned from st. Pau'i
church with his daughter and wife. On
entering the parlor he retired to the rear ol
the room and reclined on the sofa. From
their positions at the front windows Mrs.
and Miss Leary were startled by the very
heavy breathing OF the Colonel. He was
found In an unconscious state, and rs they
believed In fainting spell. Medical aid
was summoned, and what was ut f1rst
thought 20 be the result OF indigestion
proved to be complicated with alarming
SYMPTOMS OF kidney trouble. Six urae-
mic, though apparently slight, commissions
succeeded one another at intervals OF about
half an hour: between each OF which ne
was perfectly himself, and conversed with
those around him in strong, calm, and
natural tones. Artificial respiration was
kept up during the two convulsions before
the last. but that failed finally; and with
out struggle. without the knowledge OF
those around him, he passed calmly into
the other world.
In three short hours the man seemingly
in robust health was no more. Yet it was
his oit-expressed wish-a wish in keeping
with his unselfish character-that he should
not die OF a lingering sickness, burden Ia
those be loved. And although the fell dis
ease had sapped IFS very lifc-blood before
the noble structure, with its iron will, gave
way, observant friends who met him at in
tervals saw and feared the decline.
Colonel Thomas Horton Leary was born
in Chowan county, n. c., on the 18th oil
February, 1920. His earlier collegiate
studies were made at Chapel Hill, where
that same strength Of mind and integrity
OF character which distinguished him
through life was conspicuous. He thence
went to William and Mary College, in Will
lismsburg, Va, where as a contemporary
OF n number o. well-knOwn and d'stin-
cuished citizens OF Richmond he gained
an cnyisble reputation rs a bright, consci-
entious student OF high moral tone. Re-
turning TO his home, in Edenson, y. c., he
began the practice OF the law, which pro-
fession he followed with honor and credit
60 himself until the last seven or eight
wears OF his residence in Richmond. In
July, 1S47. be married Miss Lizzie Veg
ener, the daughter OF Captain d. d. Wag-
ener, OF Easton, Pa, now deceased, bul
who served for two terms as member ol
Congress from Northampton county, Pa.
Colonel Leary came to Richmond in 1871
and made this place bis home during the
remainder OF his life. His l'fe here had
been rather a retired one, though by his
courteous and whole-sOuled manners and
sterling traits Of character he drew around
him a host OF admirng and warm friends,
and OF these by far the greater number
were young men, who, while enjoying his
society, saw in him manly and spotles'
character, worthy Of their example. H(
had a handsome. well-prOportiOned ply
s1que, which was in all respects the out
ward semblance OF his noble character
He ALWAYS looked and acted the gentleman
The title OF colonel he gained when IL
command Of the militia before the wpr IL
Edenton, y. &. He was never in public
life except in the character Of prosecuting
attorney for time in North Carolina
Though q man OF scholarly attainment
and profound study, he never paraded hi:
learning. His simplicity made him at
trsctlye. He expressed frequently in hi
life the desire that when he should die hi
pall-searers be selected from his young anC
able-bodied friends. He cared not to tax
unduy, even i'm labor OF love, the declin
Ing strength OF his older companions. Th'
pall-bearers selected are c.. O'B. Cowardin
James D.. Patton, 10. Lane Stern, c. p
Stokes, W. l.. White, John b. LightfoOt
Thomas VI. Bnford, William Ii. Grant, Jr.
w. Scott Darlington, and DR.. Chrstophe
TOmpkins.
Colonel Leary leaves widow and fou
children. These are David w. Leary
Esq. Of Amelia county; Thomas II. LeGry
Jr., Esq, OF this city; Mrs. F. Z. Wood
ward, Of spartanbrg, 5. c.; and Mis-
Mamie Leary. Mr.. and Mrs. 5. b
Clemens, the sister and brother-in-law o
Mrs. Leary, will doubtless arrive iron
Easton, Pa, to-day, in time for the fune
raj, which will take place from st. PauPi
church at 3 O'Clock.
In the death Of Colonel Leary Richmon
has lost high-toned, noble citizen, societ
a bright and worthy member. and Ioyin
snd charming family father who rule
rather through the tenderness OF his loY
than the force OF his paternal authority.
A TRIBUTE FROM A FRIEND AND sCHooLNATE
The following graceful tribute TO Colone
| Leary's memory was written by life-lon!
| friend and college-ma:e OF the deceased:
This whole community received pain
| iul shock occasioned by the sudden AM
unexpected demise or this pure-mindel
and noble gentleman. Virginia has lost
good citizen, Richmond an ornament I
her society, his friends one whom the
greatly admired and loved, and his famil
| devoted and beloved husband and father
| He was born in North Carolina and edu
Gated at William and Mary College, the
under the distinguished presidency @
| Thomas II. Dew and an able corps Of Pre-
| fessors, and the Alma Mater OF most OF th
celebrated men OF this State in past gene
rations. While an alumnus at this institu
| ton he was the contemporary and friend @
the following well-known citizens OF Rich
mond: w. w. Crump, Robert Il. Scott
John D. Steger, II. A. Claiborne, and Dr
George T.. Rawlings, who survive him
Robert Ould. who has lately passed ava
from US, was also ielow-student with him
Dr. James Beae and DR.. Robert G.. Cabel
OF this city. were at the college before bin
lie held at college, from the purity an,
manlness OF his character. dignity Of hi
conduct and manners, and the kindlines
OF his heart, that high position which b
has sustained all through his useful life
From college he went home to Edcpton, n
c., and practiced law among friends an
kinsmen with distinction and success, an
occupied prominent position at the ba
OF his native State. Thence he remove
to Easton, Penn. where he had married
and there he won an enviablc and high pc
sition at the bar and In the community
where he was beloved and respected b
NIL who knew him. From Easton he cam
10 this city in 1871, where he practiced lay
for short time and gained the good opir
ion, respect, and friendship OF all th
members OF his profession here. who deeI
ly deplore, with the rest Of the commun
! ty, the loss OF their late associate an
friend. Since his residence here he has mad
troops OF friends and admirers, us els,