Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-12
OLD CITY HOUSES.
RecoLLecrIoNs or A CITIZEN WHO
KNOWS OUR HISTORY.
Tho westmorsinnd-C Club House Planned
by James Gray and Constructed by
Him-Its Subsequent Owners.
To he Editor Of ne Dispatch .

To ne Ellt0r OF The hsDdfch:
Your modern Richmond historians seem
TO need posting. II they speak of the
Southern literary Messenger they go back only
to Thompson Il Bagby. One Of the gene
rally best informed OF them has printed
that Edgar A. Poe was never its editor.
though he certainly was. II they write mp
the Washington monument they over
slaugh its real founder and ascribe tito
some one who merely fell INTO line after
the movement was started. II they tell OF
the rescue of Smith by the Indian Princess
they locate il at Powhatan or in East
Richmond. II they speak OF Hubard's
bronze copies of Houdon's statue of Wash
ington they place them where they are not.
And in like manner they blunder about
the Westmorel3nd-Club house in as
cribing its erection to Judge Robert Stanard.
He would hardly have conceived the idea
of erecting such an edifce. but he showed
his judgment when he purchased and fin
ished. IL. and his family, especially his
daughter-in-law, did make it the scene OF
some handsome entertainments at which
were distinguished persons visiting Rich.
mond. Mr.. Webster may have been one OF
these. He was here once after the
time at which he delivered his great
speech in October, 1910. remem-
Der spending an evening with him
OF Mr.. James Lyons's on Marshall street.
Mr.. LYONS and his wife were elegant and
liberal entertainers. At Judge Stanard'sl
have met such persons as Mr.. COrcoran. OF
Washington, and Senator John J. Critten-
den when be brought hither tho accom-
plished Mrs. Ashley as his second bride.
Yes, in the days of the Stanards the West
moreland-C Club house saw and welcomed
much " goodlie companie." but that gen.
erous and enterprisng tobacco-merchant
James Gray had il planned and con-
structed until il was nearly finished.
Then business reverses overlook him and
he was forced to sell il. Judge Stanard
had O very good residence on Ninth street
Just in the rear of st. PauPs. He had by
prudence and professional success accumu-
lated comfortable fortune for those DAYS.
He had laudable family pride. His
eldest son was entering upon brilliant
professional career and had led to the
altar one of the bellies of Kentucky; an
other son and an only daughter were just
about ready to enter society. He there
fore very judiclously purchased MIR.
Gray's fine house. had it flushed and fur
nIshed, and il was finally occupied by
him, his three children. and his daughter
in-law together. After tho Judges sud
den death his son, Robert c., owned 1t and
lived IN it. think Mr.. William II. Mac
farland and MIR. James Lyons and wife
were the only other owners before il came
into the possession of the club. who have
right to be proud of their quarters.
II is highly gratifying to know that Mr..
Gray recuperated his fortune and did some
most commendable work in improving
Richmond He dwelt in a long wooden
building. which the celebrated William
Writ once occupied. on the lot diagonally
across Grace street from the club mansion.
believe Mr.. GRAY was instrumental IN
having that fine lot divided and highly
improved 10y John Maben. John l.. Bacon,
ana himself He also built that handsome
row on the south side of Franklin street
below Second. Such men ought to have
millions of money. SUM CUIouE.
Richmond, July O, 1891.