The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-24
Ia Mem Oriam.

Died. in Richmond, Va. at the residence
of his father, Major Robert s. Archer,
| on the 9Th OF March, 1894, ROBERT
ARCHER, in the thirty-fourth year of his
The death OF one near and dear to Ms
/ Invariably comes with more or less of
| "a shock, but often, as in this case. il
| comes with startling, almost stunning,
| effect.
Here was a young man, seemingly and
! legitimately, rejoicing in his strength" -
year by year gathering and hving that
| wisdom Of conduct which we are told
! bears the promise Of length Of days i'm
one hand and in the other riches and
! honor.
Life lay fair before him. and without
] wasting time upon its abstract problems.
he early took as his legend. Whatsoever
] thy hand hndeth to do. do il with thy
| might" and thus every success was 10
/ him but the incentive to move onward
and upward.
From his first entrance into business
| life he was connected with the Tredegar
/ Iron Works.
His particular avocation made neces-
sary frequent journeys 10 the southern
and western States. and he thus came in
contact with many leading men active
in commercial and railway enterprises
and everywhere won their confidence re-
| spect. and esteem.
OF his standing at home it is enough
TO say that, unsOught, he was named for
and chosen member of the Common
Council, where with characteristic energV
he sought 10 grasp the full scope of the
needs and wants of his native and beloved
city and to do all that i'm him Law FOR
the promotion of her prosperity and prog
ress How well he succeeded In impress
ing himself upon his colleagues is hest
attested by the many letters which came
from them 10 his Borrowing parents and
the estimate of the community at large
was amply evidenced by the scores of
similar communications from those who
loved and admired him.
Robert Archer's was indeed 1ovable
nature" His heart beat warmly for an
who deserved his love. He was constant
and sincere in his friendship. as he was
true as steel 10 every trust and confidence
III Is not allowed here 10 speak fully
Of that inner. domestic. home-life fur
Their than TO say that taciuy he was re-
garded as the prop and stay of his parents
in their declining years, and as the guide
and friend OF all those bound TO him by
consanguinity and affection.
But, alas. for the frailty of human cal
culatons, the vanity of hopes, for almost
in an instant IN the twinkiing OF an eye,
this lovely vision was dissolved, and for
ever!
During the night Of the 7th instant he
was seized with a cOngestive chill from
which he never rallied, spite of the high
est medical skin, spite Of sleepless yigils
and tenderest illustrations. The onward
march OF that inexorable decree which
announces death and decay TO all things
human, could not be stayed and on Fri
day afternoon Qess than forty-eight hours
from the selzure) the contamination came
The silver cord was lOosed the golden
bowl was broken. and the spirit returned
to the God who gave III
The writer knew Robert Archer, as he
may say, from his infancy, and had fnII
opportunity TO watch the subsequent de-
veicpment of J is character and fondlv
10 forecast this young mans advancs
10 take position In the front rank of those
honorable merchants who have done 90
mach 20 make Richmond Prosperous and
now. alas there Is oniv
left 20 him the mournful privilege of Law.
ing this humble chaplet upon the freshIy-
made grave Of his young friend. and ~
clasping hands with that host of relations
and friends, who through long years will
mourn him as
"Doubly dead. In that be died so young"
h. ]. u.