Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-30
MIR. JAMES R. FISHER.
DEATH IN WASHINGTON YESTERDAY
or THIS WElL-KNoWN vlRcINlAN.
A Native Of Richsnond-His Business and
Political Career--Famiiy Connections
The Funeral.

Mr.. James r. Fisher, secretary OF tne
Virginia State Democratic Committee
died In Washington yesterday afternoon
about $50 O'Clock.
The first news of his death to reach
Richmond was In telegram received by
Colonel William II. Tanner early last
night, and later the Dispatch received
special from Its Washington correspon-
dent giving the following particulars:
"Mr Fisher died OF typhod-fever. lie
had been confined 10 his bed for nearly
| four weeks, and up to last Friday hopes
were entertained of his recovery HIS
sickness was contracted during the recent
campaign in Virginia, TO which he de-
voted his best energies night and day.
thereby impairing his strength TO such
degree that when the canvass was over
/ he was SO prostrated as 10 be unable 10
attend TO his public duties as Assistant
| Librarian of the House OF Representa-
| tives. He had the best medical attend
ance In the city, and every enort was
made TO restore him TO health, but IN
vain. His death is great shock 10 TINS
community. where he was greatly De-
loved by a large circle of friends. many
\ Of whom were political adversaries. The
remains will be taken TO Richmond on
the IL O'Clock train Sunday morning,
where they will be inferred at Holly
| wood. His son. DR.. J. Winston f1sher
! OF South Orange, n. j., arrived mere To-
night too late TO see his father before
his death The family of the deceased
| will accompany the remains TO Rich
mond."
| SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Mr.. Fisher was born in Richmond sixty
| four years ago In a house which stood
very near where Nowlans jewelry store
now is. After receiving a good common
school education in the schools OF the
city he entered the drug business as
! clerk, and subsequently became a partner
| In the drug concern of Bennett, Beers &
| Fisher, whose store was located on Main
street near Thirteenth. Several years be-
fore the war the establishment was burn
ed out and Mr.. Fisher. who was sleeping
in the third story, let himself down to
the ground by rope, which his mother
had insisted he should provide In case OF
just such a disaster. The firm resumed
business. but during the war Mr.. Fisher
was detailed in the Medical Purveyor's
Department of the Confederate Govern
ment, and stationed at Charlotte, n. c.
AFTER THE WAR.
At the close of hostilties Mr.. Fisher re-
established himself in the drug business,
opening a store at the corner of Second
and Canal streets. This he continued TO
| carry on until his removal to Washington
| some years ago to accept the position OF
| Assistant Postmaster Of the House of
Representatives. He served in that capa-
city for some time and was Assistant
Librarian OF the House when he died.
Mr.. Fisher had natural fondness and
aptitude for politics. He became interest
| Cd In rtu OF ocFlaG ha ia
a youth, and prior to the war was a
member of the old bench of magistrates
of Richmond.
| INVALUABLE TO THE PARTY.
After the war. he proved himself al
most invaluable to the conservative and
its successor, the Democratic party, and
at the close of one of the campaigns, in
which the late Raleigh T. Daniel was
chairman of the State Committee, and
Mr.. Fisher was secretary, the former
testified that had Mr.. Fisher relaxed his
vigilance for a moment. the party would
have been defeated. Mr.. Fisher knew the
State thoroughly. and was acquainted
with every politician of influence In It.
! During the administration of Governor
Gilbert c. Walker Mr.. Fisher was clerk
Of the Board of Visitors of the Peni-
tentiary. and prior to his removal 10
Washington was an election officer at his
own voting precinct, which became
| known as Fisherville
| THE STATE COMMITTEE.
He was a number OF times secretary Of
| the State Committee. and was a promi-
nent figure at all Democratic conventions
held in the State. He never gave up
his citizenship In Richmond and his last
stay here was during the gubernatoral
canvass, he having been called to the
| secretaryship of the State Committee by
Chairman j. Taylor Ellyson, when the
latter succeeded Hon. Basil b. Gordon.
Mr.. Fisher was feeling quite unwell
when he left the city for Washington a
few days after the election, and 1t was
known TO some of his family connections
here that he had recently been quite ILL.,
Yesterday afternoon member OF Colo
| mel Tanners family received letter from
| Mr.. Fishers daughter, saying that a new
complication had arisen in his trouble
and last night, as stated, came the tele-
| gram announcing his death.
Mr.. Fisher married Miss Florence Nal
| lory He leaves four children-Messrs
James NJ, Winston, William. and Miss
| Estelle Fisher He was u devoted hus-
band and father, a loyal friend, an in
tense Virginian, and one of the most ac-
| commodating and kindly OF men, He
was a prominent Mason, and for many
years secretary of st: Johns Lodge, No
81.