Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-20
CAPTAIN CLIFFORD.

CAPTAIN CLIFFORD.
SUDDEN DEATH AT HONE OF THIS
wELL-KN0wN GENTLEMAN.
History Of His Connection With James
River Steamboats,, and Some Of the In.
cidents Of His Chequered Life.
Almost since the time when the James
river was first navigated by steam YES.
sells travellers by that route have known
and loved Captain Clifford. No matter
how the thunder rolled, or how fiercely
beat the wind, men, women, and chill
dren felt safe when his hand was OF the
wheel when his commanding voice was
heard from the pllot-house. Thousands
now living in all quarters Of the civil
lized globe thousands who have gone
that journey from which there is no re-
turn, have stood by his side and listened
10 him as he pointed out, as the boat
steamed on, the places ofinterest on the
James. Over fifty years sailing of this
river, the most richly historic Of all
American waters an acquaintance with
the worthiest people who lived in the
old country-seats on its banks mind
that was extraordinarily receptive aud
retentive, added to much reading. had
enabled him to famiiarize himself with
the lore of the river.
HIS SKETCHES OF THE JAMES.
1t was a never. ending delight to him
to have about him group Of people
who could appreciate what he said as
ne pointed out famed localities. On a
warm, sunshiny day, say Of the early
spring, as the ships prov parted the
silvery waters, sailing past meadows
and marshes, by blooming orchards,
and forests growing green with
the livery Of the season, by pic
turesque mansions ofthe colonial period,
by sites Of Indian towns and early Eng
lish settlements. by hillsides SCARED by
earth-works Of the recent war, and
shot-plowed fields, his tongue would
grow eloquent, and with little imagi-
nation hearer might see before him a
panorama of American history, begin
ming with the English ships entering the
Virginia capes the landing at James
town; the marriage Of Pocahontas;
Corvallis crossing the river proceeding
to Yorktown Grant moving 10000
men across the river on Petersburg, and
ending with the blowing up OF the Con
federate war.ships and gunboats re-
treat of the left wing of Lees army
across the river; the burning of Rich
mond; the Confederate flag coming
down, the Stars and Stripes going up.
AS HE STOOD AT THE WHEEL
the pilot-bOuse was not too sacred a
place for his friends. Up there he could
talk best, see best, explain best. There
was history for every house passed,
story for each bend Of the river, an IN.
cidcnt Of love or war, of tragedy or
comedy, for every fair stretch Z, the
water. Ah, how many people re-
member this fine old gentleman !!
Stored away with the pleasant memo
ries of trips by boat up or down the
James in every mind nearly there is
a picture Of venerable man of the
medium height, stout but not fat,
frank, round, smoothly-shayen face,
a manner bluff as becomes sailor, and
withal heart and hand open to every
cry of distress, sensitive to every ap-
peal Of friendship and citizenship. His
dress, always neat, was navy-blue cap
and suit, and in collars and neckwear
he tenaciously clung to the fashions of
thirty or forty years ago. Seventy
three years Of life, some of it of very
adventurous sort, had but slightly
dimmed his eyesight. He never owned
a pair of spectacles, but often used col
ored glasses to save his sight from the
evil of the reflected light of the sun on
the water.
LOVE FOR THE RIVER.
: Next to the wife of his bosom and
those bound to him by ties of blood or
well.tried friendship Captain Clifford
loved the river. He was married in
1889 and that same year went to live
at the place where he died-at the
northeast corner Of Elm and Poplar
streets, near the lower gas.works. The
old house was long ago torn down and
in its stead Captain Clifford had erected
the present dwelling-a roomy three
story frame house, always painted
white and the window-blinds green,
with bot.house on its north side and
in the rear spacious double porch.
From this porch he could see the
meanderipgs of the James tor
seven miles-and until its thread was
lost to sight beyond the high ground
of Drewry's Bluff. His trips in the
Ariel-his last boat--were such that
he spent one night in Richmond and one
in Norfolk. One OF the first things he
ulu AFTER IlnlnB was W Stauu Uu luiS
porch and look down the river. On
the homeward trip, when in sight Of
his residence, he would wave his hand
kerchief, and he expected to see his
wife or some member Of his family in
the porch, giving like signal that all
was well. If it chanced that Mrs
Clifford did not hear the boats whistle
and did not go out to give the handker-
chief signal, he would come home
alarmed, would ask what was the mat
ter, and say, 81 thought something
was wrong; oh, why didn't you give
the signal!"
DEAD.
From this home-as much home Of
happiness as ever earthly habitations
are the venerable captain yesterday
morning sailed out upon voyage,
whereof there is no return trip; nor
need be, since its destination is haven
OF eternal rest.
He rose about 81 o'clock and was at
bis morning ablutions when the mes
senger of death came. The stroke was
wondarfnllv sudden. He staggered.