Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-03
MIR. WILKINSON DEAD
THE LIFE or THE EFFICIENT sEcRe-
TARY OF THE Y. M. C. A. ENDED.
A Severe Cold Produces Homorrhages
Which Dcscit Fataliy-Ske'ch Of His
Itfe-Tbc Funeral.

Mr.. 7. ID. Wilkinson, secretary OF the
Young Mems Christian Association, Is
dead.
The courteous and efficient officer peace
fully breathed his last yesterday at a few
minutes after noon at the home OF his
father, No. Col west Main street.
Mr. Wilkinsor's fatal illness was of only
few weeks' duration, but his condition
was regarded as critical from the time OF
bis attack. and for several DAYS past. as
told in the Dispatch, his death was nomen-
tarily expected. -,
On Thurdav DR.. Moses d. Hoge, the
family phvsiciari of the deceased. informed
MS patient that the end was quite near.
The young man expressed some SURPRISE
and said he had hoped to live several
weeks. but that he was prepared and
ready 10 GO whenever the Master should
call him. He then quoted o passage OF
Scripture signifying his willingness to die.
Uo ,xas conscious TO within few minutes
of the close OF his earthly existence, ana
he died as he had lved--conhdentiy trust
ing In the precious promises of his Creator.
TOOK COLD IN NORFOLK.
Mr.. Wilkinson was always frail man,
and about three years ago he contracted
cold while in Norfolk attending q conren-
tion of the representatives Of the Young
Mems Christian Associations throughout
the State. This settled on his lungs, and
some time after thst he had hemerrhage,
which was followed by several Others IN the
last one or two years.
Mr. WilkinsoI's health was apparently
good no 10 about two weeks ago, though
he was looking o little thin. IL was on
fho afternoon of December 10th that he
eufJered tho attack from which he never
fully recovered.
HIS FATAL ILLNESS.
While walking down Main street near
First about Gas o'clock he was suddenly
taken with he,norrhage of the lungs ana
fell unconscious in the street
He was carried into the. drugstore OF
Messrs. Briggs Brothers, which is near by,
aud physician immedlateiy sent ior; Dr;
JamesC. Deaton promptly responded, ana
he WAS followed in a short while by Drs.
james and Hoge.
The condition of Mr.. Wilkinson was re-
cog1iized as critical, and despite the efforts
of the physicians it was over an hour be
fore he regained consciousness. During
tbis time he lost considerable amount OF
blood and seemed gradually growing
weaker, but after continued attempts at
resuscitation he finally revived, and by
o'clock had so far recovered that he pos
sessed sufficient strength to walk from the
store to a carriage, in which he was taken
home.
He rallied slightly at times, but there
was never sufficient improvement to give
bis friends much hope.
ABILITY AND ENERGY AS SECRETARY.
Mr. Wilkinson was q son of Mr.. Benia-
min r. Wilkinson, book-keeper for George
w. Mayo. Esq, and was unmarried.
Both of his parents and two sisters survive
him. For several years he was connected
with the Southen Bell Telephone Company
at one time in the capacity OF coi-
lector. and later as assistant manager.
In july, 1889, the deceased accepted the
position Of general secretary OF the Young
Mems Christian Association, succeeding
Mr.. Charles L. Thomas, resigned. From
that tlme to his death he faithfully served
in this position, making the welfare OF the
association his chief work and pleasure.
His success was remarkable, especially as
be had no training for the work. Wnen
he first accepted the position OF secretary
the ASSOCIATION was naturally somewhat
disorpanized and little was being done, as
Mr.. Thomas had resigned In the carly
spring. Mr. Wilkinson immediately
began to show his ability and soon proved
TO be the right man for the place. He en-
tered heartily into the work and there was
q marked and steady improvement in every
department from the commencement OF
his service. Last year was the most pros
porous one in every respect IN the nistory
of the association. Since mr. wilkinson
became secretary the debt has teen re-
duced from $4,000 10 S1O,OOo, ard now
there is fair prospect of soon liquidating
the balance.
DEVOTED TO HIS WORK.
The devotion Of the deceased to his work
xo,norEaA1a on1 ~ "
always in his heart and mind. Even du-
ring his last hours ne gave instructions re-
garding the meeting Of the Board of Di-
reotors and the entertaipment OF the aSso-
citation TO be given on the 18th of January.
Deceased was thirty-one years OF age:
He was a member of DR.. Hoge's church and
sunC IN tho choir. While secretary of the
association he won many friends by his
uniform courtesy and gentiemaniy man
ners. He possessed a very retlrlng elspo;
sitiou. but those who knew him well found
In him all the qualities Of true friend and
Christian gentleman.
THE FUNERAL.
The fl neral will take place from DR..
Hoge's church ats2 O'clock tomorrow at
noon. and the officers ami members of the
Association will attend in body. The as
sociatfdh building will be closed during
the hour of the services.
Stote-seeretary II. o. Williams. will have
charge of the association until January
10th. at which time he will be forced to
leave to attend 70 work in other portions
of the State. Meanwble the Board of Di-
rectors will probably elect successor to
Nr. wilkinson.
TIE Y. N. C. A. TO ACT.
The members of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association ale requested 70 meet, at
the association building on Sunday, Janu-
AIRY 4th, at 1:5 O'Clock 20 attend in body
the funeral Of Mr. Wilkinson.
At4 o'clocison Sunday evening in the
parlor of the association building there
Will be held a memorial service for the
late General Secsetary. This service will
be conducted by the State seoretary, IL.
O.. Williams, and brief addresses will be
made by several members of the orgariiza.
ton. Ali members Of the association are
invited TO attend.
DEATh OF Mr.. EUSTACE: