The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-19
JAMES II. ROYSTER.
Death Of the City yAuditor-A Good and
True Man and Faithful Officer.

City-Auditor James Bohannan Royster
died about ten minutes TO O'Clock ycster-
day morning at i, residence, northeast
corner OF Franklin and Twenty-siXth
streets; aged slxty-nine years and ten
days. The deceased was born IN this city.
| His father was a native OF North Carolina
and his mother a sister OF DR.. Bohannan.
who, besides practicing bis profession. kept
drugstore near the 81. Charles Hotel.
Mr.. Royster commenced life as a clerk in
that store, and was with DR.. Bohannan
for n good many years, and until he had
acquired a sufficient knowledge OF pharma-
cy TO open drugstore on his own account.
| Then he became a member Of the firm of
Gaynor g. Royster. At one period OF his
life he was book-keeper for the firm OF Raul
l.ston & Peasants. Subsequently he started
as an auctieneer, and was n member OF the
firms OF New G Royster and McNought &;
Royster. In 1850 he and his brother
Alcck were both connected with the Yirgi-
mia Towing Company. The latter some time
afterwards became associated with Mr..
Joseph Brummel i'm the tobacco business.
| the firm being known as Brumme.S ROys-
| ter, and deceased was their business man
ager for long while. After the war he
opened 4 factory under the name OF j. b..
ROystcr & Co., Mr.. Franklin Stearns being
his moneyed partner, position afterwards
occupied by Mr.. Davenport. Later the
firm was Roystcr d Preston, and later still
Royster & Grasswitt. The enterprise was
not successful. and Mr.. Royster closed his
connection with the tobacco trade A. q
member OF the last-named firm.
In 1870 Mr.. Royster was elected City
Auditor to succeed Mr.. w. II. Allderdice,
and his success in the position was such
that thereafter he was reelected almost
unanimously. He was model officer. His
courtesy was perfectly unfaiing. lie never
| forgot that he was the servant OF the peo-
pie. and he answered the humblest citizen
and most trilling question with the same
pleasantness that he responded to the lofti-
est digritary or the most mOmentous issue.
| He was watchful OF tbe city's interests. and
was as free from errors in the transactions
that came under his supervision as it ever
| falls TO the lot OF humanity TO be.
Mr.. ROyster married Mrs. Jane Coutts
| Henshaw, nee Frost, who survives him.
Mr.. James Junius Royster is the only living
child OF this union.
Nr. Rovster had long been sufferer
from throat trouble. and OF late years often
suffered from something like cramp in
the stomach. This last illness seized him
about seven weeks ago, and ii was believed
that it was caused by abscess OF the liver.
An operation was performed to relieve it,
but the trouble could not he reached. In
the beginning he suffered Il vast deal. but
for two weeks past not acutcly. but hav-
ing diphtheria symptoms he was able 70
take little or no food, and became fright
fully exhausted.
Sunday night, looking around the room
and seeing his wife, son, and others dear
to him, his ewes filed with tears. His son
asked him what he wished, and he answer
ed. Rest and Heaven"
Those who knew that kind. good heart
and gentle, loving spirit can hardly doubt
that both are youcnsafed him. He never
spoke again. though he remained conscious
to within five minutes Of the end, and his
immortal part passed away so peacefully
that it seemed borne to "rcst and Heaven y
upon the light OF the rising sun.
His physician states that death was con-
sequent upon disease Of the liver. compli.
Gated with diphtheria and inability to swal.
low.
His funeral will take place from Dr.
Reads church (Which he joined about two
years ago) this afternoon at O'Clock, and
will be attended by the Mayor, other city
officers and cOuncilmen, and the Blues
Association. OF which he was member.
In respect to his memory the city offices
will be closed to-day by order OF the Mayor.
\ meeting of city officers was held at the
City Hall yesterday afternoon. and was or
ganized with Mr.. 5. 9. Greenhow as chair
man and Mr. +. II. Fisher a. secretary. \
series OF resolutions prepared by Mr.
Kelley, eIoquently eulogizing the deceased
were adopted. and il was resolved that the
officers attend the funeral in a body.