Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-10

ONE HUNDRED AND NlNfH ANNUAL
coNFEnsNcE AT PETERSBURG.
1noAres(iag Mates II dfsm-.A vsIu-
ahls Rictass tsAi,sry--An Hsstosse
7asAessns.

ICofeEpoo4o1ce ~ the Richmond Di4pntchI
rxzxnsBrHo, Va. November o.--The
cns.hnndved-snj-nin annual session OF
che Virginia Conference Of the Methodist
Ep'soopal Church. South. win be opened
IN the WAshin9ton-Ssrost church. In this
city, on Wednesday morning a. o'clock.
Bsshop J. G. Keener. q Louisiana, will
preside and will conduct the opening re-
siasous services. Tho annual sermon be-
fore the Conference will be preached on
Wednesday night by Rev. w. g. Starr. ID.
D., Of Norfolk.
The nsst dsy Of She session 10 usually
devoted TO organization, appointments OF
commuters. and routine business. u -
expected that several matters Of great
interest VIII DO discussed during the
ras rxxupfSn BISHOP.
Bishop John @. Keener. who viii preside
over the Conference. ~ one OF tho ablest
and most popular divinos in the southern
Metkodist Church. Heis nearly seventy
three years Of age. and grew mp 10 man
hood Ia Baltimore. When young man he
was sent TO the Wesleyan University, from
which he was graduated IN 1885. After his
gr~luasion he returned 10 Baltimore. and
was in business there until 1871. when he
entered the ministry OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He joined the Alabama
Conferences and served appointments In
that State until 1858. when he went 70 New
Orleans and vas presiding elder Of that dis.
frict in 1858 and 1860 Attic breaking out OF
the war be entered the Confederate ser-
vice Is chaplain and became superin-
4epdent OK chaplains in the army west OF
tho Mississippi river. After the war he
ngain became presiding older OF the New
L<.11 hot
1870. He also edited the New Orleans
Christian Idcocote. AZ the General Con-
ference OF 1870 bis Church conferred upon
him the highest gift In its power--the
episcopal Office. Among his WORKS was
the founding OF prosperous mission IN
Mexico In 1878. Lagrange College gave
him the degree OF Doctor OF Diynity IN
1854. He is the author OF weii-knoWn
Methodist story" The fost-oak Su-
cult"
METHopIsx IN PETERSBURG.
While Il Is known that there were Me-
thodisfs In Petersburg rs early as 1882 or
l7e3. vet the FIRST church organization was
not effected until some years later. The
yeoords Ia the clerks Office show that IN
The year 1888 A. Evans sold 70 Francis
Asburv. superintendent" of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church. lot OF sixty-nine
feet front on Market street near the corner
of Friend street. The price PAD WIS
fis.ss.fod. A small wooden structure
for worship was built on this
lot. where for many years afterwards
the small but earnest and growing
band of Christians met for worship.
In 1906 Francis Asbury, superintendent,
transferred this lot 10 trustees and in 1873
the trustees sold tho lot TO George heiin
Holloway for a.. 49,. so (more than IT Womb
probably bring today and 6ullt the
union-Street church, which stiii s.an us
The original subscription list Tor tne
building of Union-Street church, with the
name Of every subscriber and the amount
given. is still carefully preserved. Inc ne
Union-Street church was occupied nut,i
1sl2, when the Washington-Street church
(since greatly improved) wa. completed.
IL was dedicated on the 26th OF June, 1S4z,
the dedicatory sermon being preaehed ny
the late Rev. DR.. William A. Smith.
1srEBrs1rSo HISTORICAL FACT.
In connection with the Union. Street
church, which since the war has beentu
over to the colored Methodists, very
toned. IL was in this church that the frst
. General Conference of the Methodist Eds
copai Church. South, was held and organ-
ized. This was about the year 1874 or $40.
While the Methodlsts held their meetings
for worship and other purposes IN the
Washington-Street church the General
Conference held its business meetings In
the Union-Street church.
AN INTERESTING rIcrURE-GALIERY.
To Mr.. John w. Bradbury. one Of the
most zealous Methodists and most honored
citizens of Petersburg. Is due the credit OF
preserving many interesting mementoes OF
Methodism in the Cockade City. lie has
done this at the expense OF much time
and means. From descriptions long ago
given by the oldest citizens of the little
neeting-house built on the lot on Market
street-the first Methodist church erected
In the city--Mr. Bradbury drew design
which was pronounced accurate. This
picture was photographed and forms ON
Interesting feature of group OF photo,
graphs Of oil the ministers and
stewards of RELATIONSHIPS church
since 1842. This Is q pieture-gaileryI
which will prove of great personal
interest TO the members Of the approach:
Inc Conferences. The pictures are all OF
full cabinet size and embrace the like
nesses OF every minister who has served
fhls church since 1912 and OF every
steward save three. who when they died
left no likeness behind. Mr.. BRADBURY has
prepared full and detailed history OF
Methodism in Petersburg from the earliest
date. which will prove, If ever published,
OF great value to the Church.
PERSONAL AND GENERAL.
William Henry King, a negro represent;
ing himself rs from Norfolk, was arrested
here to-day on the charge Oh steaiing
COW.
four or Ave negroes who had been arrested
as suspicious parties were required 20
give bond for their proper behavior
Others were ordered TO leave town al
pnce. In each case these. parties were
newcomers and without visible means o.
support. .,,o,, =;
LADY. AGED about sixty-six years, wife. Of
Mr. George Cousins, died on Sunday attei
very brief illness.
Rev. r. 7. Wilson, pastor Of the WESLEY
Methodist Episcopal church, preached hi
FAREWELL sermon last night before larg'
cougregation. Mr.. Wilson has served biz
term OF four years at this church.
The venerable Rev. Leonidas Rosser, ID
n. was one Of the hrst ministers OF Tn
Virginia Conference TO put IN his appear
ance. He is O native OF Petersburg anc
one OF the Oldest members OF the COME
renee.
DEATH OF A PROMINENT CITIZEN.
Mr.. Joseph Bragg Dunn died last nigh
nj the residence of his brother, Mr.. johr
Oupu aged about sixty-ffye years. He baC
been practically helpless formany month
from q severe stroke of paralysis. Mr
Dunn was reared TO mercantile life. and wa
man of great business tact. He was 10
some wears president and manager OF tn
Petersburg Iron Works, and was connect
ed With other industrial enterprises. ~
WAS highly educated and had trayeile'
over tie whole civilized world.
SUDDEN DEATH OF DR.. WHITE.