The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-09
COL JAMES ATKINS DEAD.
Died from a Congsstive Chill Alone Il
His Room.

His Room.
Col James Atkins was found dead in bis
room on the third floor Of the Sorrel build
ing yesterday morning. The colored
women who takes care of the rooms went
up at 7;3O o'clock, and, on entering, was
Mortified to see Col. Atkins sitting in the
middle Of the floor in his night clothes dead
/ She ran into the street and across TO
Buffers pharmacy. Mr.. Osceola Butler
went at once with several other gentlemen
aud found the wOman's statement true.
| Col. Atkins friends were Immediately
notified Of his death. Coroner Dixon was
also notified, but no inquest was necessary.
Col Atkins b-other-in-law, II. H. King,
clerk of the United States courts,
| took charge Of the remains. The family
were telegraphsd tie announcement of Col.
Atkins death.
Col Atkins was large, robust man, ap-
parently in excellent health, but had been
complaining recently OF not feeling well
and bought some quinine at Buffers pher-
macy day before yesterday. He talked
cheerfully with several friends Tuesday
night and said that he was feeling
better than for several days. His death is
supposed to have been caused by a conges-
tive chill, and when found he had evidently
been dead several hours. 1t is supposed that
he was taken by the chill and got up to call
for help, but was overcome and sank TO the
floor, where he died. On his forehead,
above the right eye, were several bruises,
evidently from having fallen and struck
his head against some furniture, which
stood near by.
The room which Col. Atkins occupied on
the third floor Of the Sorrel building is Just
above his law Office on the second floor.
Having none of his family with him in Sa-
vannah, he had been sleeping for some time
near his Office.
Col. Atkins was born in Henry county,
Georgia, and was So years of age. BE
graduated at Bethany College, West Vir-
ginia, and precticsd law at Griffin before
the war
He became identified with the Repub-
hcan party. soon after the war.
and has been a prominent leader
OF the party in this state ever since, being
a federal ofhce-holder for the greater por-
ton of the time. He was appointed col
lector Of internal revenue at Atlanta by
President johnson, and held the office until
lSfS, when he was appointed collector of
the port of Savannah by President Grant.
This Office he held until 1880, when he was
succeeded by 7. +. Johnson, ESQ.,, the pres
emit collector. He has held no public Office
since that time.
President Arthur nominated Col. Atkins
for United States district judge of Georgia,
the whole state then being included In one
district, but, fight being made upon him
by the senator's from Georgia, the nomina-
ton was withdrawn at Col Atkins' request.
Judge Mckay Of Atlanta was appointed.
Near the close of President Arthur's term
OF Office he nominated Col. Atkins district
attorney for the Atlanta district but the
nomination was not acted upon. He was an
applicant for the position of solicitor of the
treasury under the present administration,
ana expected To receive the appointment,
but failed to receive it for some reason.
Col. Atkins has always taken a promin-
ent part III the management of the affairs
or the Republican party in Georgia and
was delegate to the convention ut Cincir-
mats In 1876, which nominated Hayes for the
presidency. He was q leader of recognized
ability and had the confidence Of his
party.
After the expiration of his term of Office
as collector of customs in 1880, he began
the practice OF law in Savannah, but never
attained any great prominence He was
attorney of the Coast Line railroad ana
of the City and Suburban railway.
He was of a genial, kindly temperament
and pleasing manners and had scores of
friends in Savannah who regret his unit nelly
demise. He had no relatives in Savannah
at the time of his death except mis- brother
in-law, Mr.. King
~ 1So~ hc mari Aou MISS belen ~. King.
who died about four years ago. Three
children survive their parents-Joseph L.
Atkins, practicing attorney of Washing
ton city; Henry J. Atkins aud Miss Julia
II. Atkins, both Of Atlanta They have
been notified Of their fathers death and are
expected to arrive this morning.
The funeral services will be held at the
Christian church on Bolton street at $3.50
o'clock this afternoon. The body will be
carried to the family burying ground near
Hampton, Henry county, for inuerment.