Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-22
SUDDEN DEATH.
AN OLD cITIZRE or PETERSBURG
YoUKD DEAD IN HIS bedroom.
Mr.. Robert f. hamilton Dies OF Heart
Disssss-Brief sketch OF Bis Lifeline
Dinviddie Eurder-Trisl.
rcnrn.nnndence q tno Rlehmond DIspateh.l


PErERsBunG, VA, November 2i, 1888.
Mr.. Robert A. Hamilton. one OF Peters
burg's most honorcd aud respected CITIZENS
was found dead In his chamber NJ the resi-
dcnee OF his son, Alexander Himiiion, ESQ.,
on Union street this morning. lie was
man beloved by all who knew him, and tue
announcement OF bis death was not only a
great surprise but also q great shock 70 TOE
community. The hour OF bis death "a IN
known. but the supposltion Is that be must
nave died during the earlier hours OF the
night. Dir. Hamilton bad been innsposed
FOR several days from The Effects OF severe
cold. but hls indis position was not regarded
A serious. lie was not confined 70 bis pea,
bet for his own comfort TemalDea IN the
house. Yesterday be seemed to Re better, aud
last night spent the evening with the family
In the parlor congers'nR cbeerfuily as was
his wont, About 10 O'Clock he babe plea
SAINT goodnight % all aud retired TO bis roOin'
That was the last seen Of him alive, AZ TINS
morning wien bis room was entered MS me-
less BODY VS. Discovered. The Two younger
sons OF Nr Hamilton slept In the sdloiuing
room, aAd the door between the two apart
mcnts was usually left siar. Last evening
thew were out visiting. aud when they re-
turned home. supposing their father to be
q -.
disturbing him. Nj. Hamiton's death u at
frbutcd to hesrt-disease, and the attack must
have como uDon him very suddenly. II -
said that some weakness OF the heart had
been noticed by his physician for several
days.
Sir. Robert a. Hamilton was born IN Gran
vile county, n. &. His father, Patrick
Hamilton, a gentleman Of wealth, character,
aud refinement. was born ia Scotland ana
came 70 TINS country in his youth. subse-
ouently marrying Miss Baskerville, OF Meek
lenburg county. Va. They raised large
family, Of whom Since the death OF NJ.
Hsmilion) only one surviyes-Mrs. George
Terrv, OF MeckienbuTg.
Mr. Hami'on WAS married twice. HIS
first wife was the daughter OF the late Ma
thaniel Alexander. Of Mccklenburg county.
By that marriage he leaves two sons tof
whom Alexander Hamilton, Esq, OF this
city, is one) and two daughters, both Of
whom ere married. Ills second wife was
the daughter OF the late Hon. A. ". Nena-
bic. q Granville county, \. G., and by THIS
union be leaves tWO sOns-twO % the bright
est scholars at The University school, 10 TINS
city.
In 1899 Nj Hamilton was partner in the
house of \. 81. Martin Il HsmIton, In this
civ. but this GTm did not long continue in
business, aud Mr.. Hamilton returned 10
North Carolina. Several Years before tue
war he was the PRECEDENT 81 the Raleigh and
Castor railroad. In 1858 he established In
Petersburg the large wholesale dry-roods
house Of hamilton Is Graham, ~ successors Of
Paul 6 MclWaine. The war led % the dis
continuance Of THIS business. Since the war
Mr.. Hamilton hso not been engaged in active
business oi anv kind. During hi. long snd
useful life bee tlicd many important trusts
committed TO him by his fcllOw-cltizeus, tue
duties Of which bc faithfully executed.
MIR. Hamilton was p man OF hlgh education
and distinguished culture. His enjoyment
a. such wa. so keen that be felt the deepest
interest m he education u his boys, to
whom he gave every possible advantage.
His richly-.torcd mind was NOT only a source
~ pleasure 20 himself. but to bis friends.
HIS genial manners. bis courteous and plea
SINK address, he uniform polIteness, his fine
conversational eifis, hIs memory Of men and
events, his thorough familiarity with the
times I'm which lac lived, all combined TO
make him one Of the most genial and plea
saut OF companions.
Mr.. Hamilton vos IN the sevcnty.6rst year
81 hrs age. He was IN earnest Chrl'tlsn-a
member II the Episcopal Church Tor great
number OF yoals-a mar Of broad and liberal
views. %. generous and charits bic almost TO 4
fault. death ~ widely hmenteu IN the
communi.t. lis funeral will take place at /
O'Clock tomorrow. lie was one Of Tie most
active snd interested members ~ the 4. T..
IIul Camp Of Confederate Veterans m this
city. whose members VIII attend the funeral
IN p body.
The argument in the Elan murder trial
was concluded this evening, and the case
gwen TO The jury, who no 10 +. NJ. had
not agreed upon q verdict, and were locked
up until Tomorrow. Tho evidence intro
duced vas favorable 10 Elan, and the gen.
crH impression prevails that hd VIII be ac-
Quilted or get very light sentence. When
the fury came into the courtroom Tonight
one Of Them remarked that they stood eleven
to one, but was stopped by the Court before
be could explain.
THE ulNWlppIE NrRDER-TNAL.
The trial Of Gouldie Elan FOR the murder
Of 4. {. PINE IN August last, which was
commenced 10 the County Court oi Dinwid-
die on ouday. is still 10 progress. When
the court adjourned lest night the testimony
had not been concluded. II Is probable the
ease VIII go 10 the jury tonight or to-mor.
row. The attendance al court Is quite large
aud a good deal Of interest is manifested in
the case The accused is defended by Mr..
W. x. McKennty, IL this city, and The pro-
secutiou is conducted by CONFERENCE.-The.
Attorney Powell. RoBN ADAIR.