The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-14

"A Brilliant Career Closed by This Sudden
Termination of Busy Life-Taken
Sick While Visiting His Aged Parents.
He Started In Life In Roanoke as an
Editor and Afterwards Became Public
Printer of the State and Later City
Superintendent of Schools Here-s55,-
900 Insurance on His Life
Hon. Rush U. Derr is dead. While
at the home of his aged parents at
Lynchburg yesterday afternoon at
o'clock the final summons came. Mr..
Derr left his home in this city over
week ago to go to Washington intend.
ing to visit his parents at Lynchburg
on his way to the capital
he was taken sick there of nervous
prostration, but mis- condition was not
regarded as serious. Tuesday evening
his personal friend and old physician,
DR.. II. a. Sims, received letter asking
him to visit him If he could leave his
practice.
DR.. Sims went to Lynchburg yester-
day morning and soon wired back the
hOoooBo 0Aob lux LOTT B C9uQlUlOn WAS
| critical, but letters from friends at
Lynchburg yesterday to Oscar D. Derr,
the deceased's brother, stated that he
was improving and Mr.. Derr went with
his carriage yesterday afternoon to the
Union depot to meet the west bound
| train hoping that his brother and DR..
Sims would arrive in Roanoke ~.
time. While there he receive Lu n
message announcing Mr.. Der .
Mr.. and Mrs. Oscac d, Der a. 1s
eeased's law partner, Charles
and Rev. Oliver G. Miller eit
morning at 1870 o'clock for LyI hssr
1t has not yet been decided tasf
his remains will be Inferred a t1.
burg or in this city. He ha.
closely identified with Roanok sh0
the last fifteen years OF his life
! spent, where he has worked 8et
| fully and achieved so. much,
| probable that the city Of his
will claim the honor of affor a's
body final resting place.
Rush Underwood Derr was ~ N
Lynchburg, and is the third ant
est son OF Charles S. and Eliz; be
Derr, and was "a years of ag aa
time OF his death. At the ago at
went to learn the printing bus
! WV ANOWSt SSA VIZ At'N
years. He was ambitious as sd a.
expert, and after finishing hi r.de
when only 10 years old, he cam, sig
Lick, now Roanoke, in 1878, and e. tsb
lished the Big Lick News, aftt rw.r1s
the Saturday Review, which he a.ltgd
ably until no was chosen in 1888; su
intendent Of public printing Aa
State.
AT the expiration of his term ofcu
he began the practice OF law, at l
he made brilliant success but at
he overworked himself. He was TIE
full, painstaking attorney, and g
one of the most extensive pract
the city.
Mr.. Derr was also until rec
superintendent of public schools for this
city. In this capacity he showed his
executive powers and brought tho
schools up to their present efficiency
AS man Mr.. Derr was the soul of
honor, dignifed, courteous, warm
hearted and generous to fault. No
ono ever asked financial aid of him and
was denied il it could be granted. He
WAS man who will be missed in every
walk of life, social, political and Chris,
tian.
Mr.. Derr was an ardent uncompromis
ing Democrat, but on several times
shrunk from honors his friends would
have bestowed on him. No one in this
city has done moro to keep Democracy
in line. He was q fluent, eloquent and
impressive speaker and his voice was
often heard on the rostrum.
Mr.. Derr was a member OF Lakeland
Lodge of Masons and o consistent and
devoted Christian gentleman, one who
has left hehind him life worthy of
emulation. He was member OF st
Marks Lutheran Church.
Mr.. Derr represented three fouths OF
the loan and building associations do
ing business in this city, to which he
gave his closest attention besides work
ing hard at the practice Of his profes-
sion.
Within the last few weeks he had
formed partnership with Charles Fl.
Vines and was practicing under the firm
name Of Derr & Vines.
Mr. Derr was graphic and talented
writer and had he devoted his attention
to literary pursuits would no doubt
have made himself famous. He leaves,
besides other property, insurance poll
cies on his life for SIS 900.
BOMBARDING RIO JANEIRO.