Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-03-05
MR.. JNO. WREN DEAD.
FATAL ENDING OF THE ILLNESS or
THIS WglL-KNOWN DETECTIVE.
sketch OF His Life and Mention OF Some
of the Great Cases in Which He
Was Engaged.

TO his room, but not until Sunday night
were serious apprehensions aroused, and
not until o'clock yesterday morning was
there any alarming change. At the latter
hour he grew purple in the face and cold in
the hands and feet. and the watchers by hls
side 50 plainly saw he was sinking that they
sent in several directions for doctors.
hoping that medical skill could suggest
something to stem the ebbing tide of life.
HIS LAST MOMENTS.
The doctors came, but their ministra-
tions were fruitless
While yet the patient was conscious
Father Tierney administered to him the
last sacraments of the Church.
The patient now rambled in his talk and
yet seemed quite strong and tried to rise
upon his feet. but fell back in a helpless
state. His wife asked. "Do you know
me?" Yes" he replied. Who am II"
You are my wife," he reioined Then after
lapse of some minutes he SAID to her,
Give me pleasant drink of water" His
parched lips were then moistened by her,
and he said, Pray for me and I'll pray for
you.n
After this oil his words were incoherent.
In a short while he had entered into that
realm Of which no doubt he was thinking
when he made of Mrs. Wren his pathetic
request.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Deceased was born of Irish parents in
London, England, November y, 1872
When he was but small boy his parents
emigrated TO this country and were in this
city about the time of the breaking out OF
the war.
The mother left to care for quite num-
Der of children needed all the help of her
sons. and John found employment as a
newsboy, and afterwards as a salesman in
the First market.
POLITICAL WARFARE.
IN the tunultuous times Of Reconstruc-
tion he was ranged on the side OF the
Democrats, and was in some of the most
memorable conflicts of those days when
firearms we're freely used.
Soon after the Democrats regained pos
session of the city government Mr.. Wren
was appointed on the police force and was
detailed for the detective service, and
was a city detective until that branch OF
tho force was abolished when he set up in
business for himself and became very sue
cessful.
THE HILARY PAGR CASE.
One OF his first great cases was the de-
lection of Hilary Page, 1.-THE Chesterfield
fire-fend," who burned up all the houses
on the farm of Colonel Frank G.. Rutfin.
NJ llliT AuNAttllt AlAN AAANip NNhN' RAioh NH.A
be formed of the excitement that prevail
ed over these incendiaTisms.
Wren went TO work and traced the
crimes to Page, a young. colored man
whose mother was employed in the domes-
tic service of Colonel Ruffin, and succeed
ed in riveting enough proof upon him to
insure conviction. Afterwards Page.made
full confession. He was hanged Septem-
ber /, 1916. at Chesterfield Courthouse.
THE cLUvERIus CASE.
The case which gave Mr.. Wren greatest
fame in police circles throughout the
country was that of Cluyerius.
Many others. also. are entitled TO credit
for work done in bringing that criminal TO
justice. No need to speak Of them here.
| Mr. Wren's services were valuable. The
attorneys for the Commonwealth said 90.
The City Council were of the same opinion
and voted him q handsome fee, and the
people generally awarded to him great dis
tinction.
He il was who caused to be gotten out Of
the waste-basket at the American Hotel
" enc torn note" He it was who having
had the watch-key found at the reservoir
brought TO him made it an infallible link
in the chain of evidence, and brought IN
Jeweler Herman Joel to prove that 1t was
the identical key the Jeweller had mended
at Centreyille for Cluverius.
The murder was committed March l3,
| 1885. March 18th Captain Epps and Officer
Robins. working on their own clues. ar
rested the accused at Centreyille. and he
was tried in the fall of 1885 and hanged
January II, 1887.
HIS CLIKNTAGE.
One of the latest cases Of note worked
up by Mr.. Wren was that where number
of negroes at Rocky Mount, Va, for ,polti-
cal spite burned down considerable por-
! tion of the town. He ferreted out the
criminals and brought them to the bar OF
justice.
His patronage was very extensive. He
received large fees from railroad compa-
nies, banks. hotels, and private corpora
tions in addition to pay for those cases
which obtained publicity.
For many years his income ranged of
tener above than below $4,000 per annum.
DREssY MAN.
Mr.. Wren had the reputation of being
the best dressed man in Richmond. His
apparel was of the cos1iest stuff and was
made by fashionable tailor. His glossy
silk hat, fine blue satin-hued overcoat,
trousers of latest cut, and shoes of the
highest price were part and parcel of ms
appearance in public.
His Office was in Goddin Hall. on Bank
street. and his iavorite lettering place was
Mt the northeast corner of Main and
Eleventh streets. Here he often stood for
hours extending his kid-gloyed hand Ia
friends. with whom he discussed the latest
news-whether of court or political circles.
When he was not to be seen on this ia
YOrite corner it was known that either he
was out of town, as he often was working
up cases, or was at home sick.
ILLNESS.
For seven or eight weeks past he had
been absent from his Office and from the
streets and during most of this time ne
was confined TO his bed. He had fears
about his recovery, but probably not until
Yesterday morning didthe dreadful truth
dawn upon him.
Mr.. Wren's educational opportunities
were but limited. and he always employed a
clerk or assistant TO do his correspondence.
His brother Dan, who was printer by
trade. and who had served as q police
sergeant for many years, acted In this
capacity for him long time. lie died
few years ago. >,
Mr.. Aleck Brownell has usually had
charge of the Office in Mr.. Wren's absence.
FAMILY.
Deceaseds mother, now about eighty
years of age, survives him. and was con-
stantlv at his bedside during the latter
part of his illness. He will never re-
cover" she said. between sobs and tears,
to Dispdich reporter day before yester-
day, but she was the only one in the house
hold to take that desperate view OF the
case. Her tender, motherly instinct told
but too surely the truth that later on broke
upon Others dear to him. Two brothers
surviye-Policeman Thomas Wren and Mr.
Dennis Wren, stone-cutter on the Clty
| Hall-and there are two sisters.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. Wren was about five feet nine, inches
in height and weighed 1S5 pounds; lie
was of stalwart build-broad- -shouidered;
broad-backed and strong OF limb, ana
seemingly had long life before him.
December "a, 1888, he married Miss Oin 9. 9.
ga Farrara. and they made their home at
No. 14ls Ross street, whore the death oc-
CURED at 9:15 A. III. .c.
The funeral services Will take place az d.
Peters Cathedral to-day at $3.50 L. Al.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
DR.. Monteiro, who attended deceased IN
| his last illness said Yesterday TO Dlspdecl