Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-02-26
Death of MIR. James Bumgardner. sr.

| Death Oh mr.. James bulnSdruAcTs ST.
! At the ripe old age of nearly eighty-nine
years, an honored and widely-known citizen
| of Augusta has passed from the scenes of life
The event was expected to occur at almost
any time during many past months during
which he had been confined to his room. He
was born on the 3rd of April 1901. His eyes
for the last time were closed on last Sabbath
morning, the 23rd instant, at $3.50 O'CLOCK. Ills
life commenced where he died, which was also
the home of his father, JACOB Bumgardnsf,
whose name is associated with noted event
in Revolutionary history as we compile IL
from WaddelFs Annals OF Augusta County,
Christian Bumgardner. the grandfather OF the
deceased, resided in what Is now shenandoah
county. He was in Boston with his wagon
and team In December, I773. He was &C
companied by his son Jacob, the father Of the
deceased, who participated with the. party OF
Bostonians, disguised as Indians. that boarded
the English vessels ladened with tea broke
open the chests and threw the con tents into
the water. This was his first exploit In the
Revolutionary resistance, of which he was
afterwards, to the close OF the war, a chivalrous
and daring soldier. He settled at what is now
the old homestead of more than cen fury.
under the shadow of Bethel Church. where, in
1779, the first temple OF worship on that site
was erected.
In his early, as well as through the long
years of his matured manhood, the deceased
was an active participant in the public and
progressive affairs of Augusta county, and was
consulted in everything that pertained to the
growth and prosperity of the community. OF
him in that respect Waddelps Annals makes
this reference at an important epoch when the
people were moved to action. In 1885, war
was raging between the United States and
the Creek Indians, and Congress authorized
the President to call for volunteers. a meet
ing for that purpose was held in Greenville
on the 18th of June of that year for the pur-
pose of organizing a company of volunteers
Mr.. Bumgardner called the meeting to order,
and participated in its proceedings, but
sufficiency of names could not be procured.
A few years ago there were three venerable
citizens of the vicini7 of Greenville. all
of whom were subscribers to the SPECTATOR
when it was established by General Kenton
Harper in 1923. 1t is little singular that all
of them should have received their papers at
the same postofflce. One has preceded Mr..
Bumgardner through lifes' journey and now
but one remains OF that roll of men who by
this journal are held in the highest reverence
and esteem.
Succeeding to the ownership of the large
possession of his father more than half CEN
tury since, he proved himself wise steward
and successful business manager in the aug
mentation of resources, and faithfully per-
formed his duties in all the relations of life.
leaving good and honered name as a rich
legacy to his descendants. A little more than
so years ago, he was united In marriage to Miss
Malinda H. McCorkle. OF Rockbridge, a daugh-
ter of Captain Alexander McCorkle, one of the
most highly esteemed and popul ar and active
Christian men in that county for half GEN.
tury succeeding the establishment of the couns
ty and the building of Lexington, near which |
his mansion still stands. OF Mrs Bumgard-
ners brothers, two older than herself and an |
other younger, became eminent citizens of
other communities-Captaln Samuel McCorkle
of Lynchburg. a leading merchant; Rev. A. B.
McCorkle, once the pastor at Bethel died re-
Gently in Alabama and her younger brother,
William, who settled, and died in Missouri,
where he illustrated all the strong characters
tics of his Scotch-Irlsh ancestry in personal
worth and business pursuits.
Surviving Mr.. Bumgardper are his wife and
five children and many grandchildren. Ofthe
first are Mrs. A. A. Sproul and Mr.. J. Alex
ander Bumgardner, of Augusta; Colonel Will
liam L. and Mrs. James Bumg ardner. jr.. of
canton. North Carolina, where Is located the
Western Asylum for the Insane of that State,
Of which DR.. Murphey is, the superintendent.
The children, five in number-were all present
at the ancestral home at the death of the aged
father and at the last rites of sepulture. as were
many of the grandchildren. His aged, but
younger brother, lMr. Lewis Bumgardn er, who
Is very feeble, also survives him.
The funeral services were from Bethel
Church Monday, the 9th instant, Rev. James
Murray. the pastor, officiating.
The pail bearers were Mes srs. James e.
Beard, Thomas Mcclure, Wilson M. Brown, r.
Frank Larew, John Hayes. of the vicinity,
md R. r. Andrews, of Staunton. Tan youth
ul grandscns were of the escort that imme-
lately followed the bier during the solemn
burial services.
splitter, Powell d. Co.
Cpif1 cuf haU OF no |