Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-03-21
Stauuto1l Spectator,
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 81, 1883.
RiclmNnd's SNrrOM.

RichmOnd's Sorrow.
Every Virginian has an instructive affec-
ton for the capital city of his State. AS
ISOLATED, as it has been, and will continue
to be, with the history and every vicissi-
tude of varying fortunes as they have
come with Frightening hopes and realiza-
ton of proud progress, or when darken-
inc shadows and difficulties beset the
career of the Old Commonwealth, there
springs up in every Virginian's heart deep
solicitude and the tenderest sympathy for
Richmond, akin to her own feelings at all
times, A chief pillar of her strength has
fallen. Robert E. Blankenship, whose
Young and matured manhood and whose sue
cessful career have been SO c'1sely identi-
fled with that of the city isNs growth and
prosperity for the last twenty-three years,
was suddenly stricken down in death on
the morning of the 18th instant. The cir
cumstances as condensed from the Rich
mond papers are as follows: He left his
office, which is about one block from the
Richmond and Danville Depot, to 60 to
that place to see about the shipment of
some nails. To do this he had to cross nu-
merous tracks. 1t was bitter cold morn
ing and he wore closely-buttoned over
coat and gloves and stepped with great
briskness. He had crossed numerous
tracks and was near ibis destination when
his path was stopped by shifting engine
drawing train of nine empty box-cars.-
His evident purpose was to reach the track
just in time to pass over it in rear oil the
last car of the train but as he got close
abreast of the centre part of the last car he
fell forward and the wheels of the real
truck passed over him. He was picked W
gasping and in two minutes was dead.
At the time Richmond viewed the sac
desolations OF war in the ashes Of confa
grafton that destroyed nearly all the oppor
tunities of the new struggle for the future,
aud since, Mr.. Blankenship filed the
chief office of the Old Dominion Iron ant
Nail Works Company which ranked in i'm
POAeohSO diOnS WIN IhO Sl0ae Auiiio3 "oS
the Tredagar Iron-works. In prosecuting
the large manufacturing and commercial
interests entrusted to his care, though
quite young mau, he lsbored with uutir
ing effort and indomitable courage ant
realized the result of faultless sagacity
In the success of his own business and il
maetino other demands made on his tint
and talents for the development and prog
ress of Richmond and leading Interest,"
through the State, the Chamber of Com
MERGE of that city, over which he presided
for several years, and many other organi
cations which he served with characteristic
intelligence and faithfulness, have respond
ed in tributes of appreciation and affection
in which the whole community unites il
solemn and heart-feeling utterances.
Richmond, that never fails to RESPOND
properly to every call upon her sympathy
that reflects in her achievements the
brightest progress of our civilization-that
carries forward great aims of city and
country development, mourns the death Of
q chief one in all these ennobling purposes.
The people Of the State think tenderly Of
the fair city IS she ponders over the sceu'
of sorrow, and offers consolation to the al
tlicted family of her noble son who ha
been laid to rest beneath the sepulchra
olks of Hollywood.