The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-10-28
WZoz1eH5- GszM &Z2tou6H
A VENERABLE OLD TREE
STANDING NEAR FIFTH AND GRACE
rs NOW ONE OF THE LANDMARKS.
1t Shows the Spot where Lived Chancellor
George Wythe. and Recalls the story
of his Life and Death.

ANY one familiar with the streets of
Richmond must be impressed by the
changes made In the appearance Of many
of them during the past summer months.
New buildings have been erected, waste
places have been filled up, and the hand
OF improvement seems not 20 have been
STAYED, even by the StrlngenCy Of the
money market or the wasting hours Of
the heated term. To all OF US, these evil
denCes OF prosperity are gratifying. To
some those changes are not always
pleasing. To older citizens they are al
ways suggestive. The removal of a ven
cradle structure or the remOdeling Of an
ancient landmark dWdkeuS in them pain
full sentiments Sometimes these incidcn-
TAI reforms DO little more than recall
an event, or some historical association,
which, when pursued, awakens other
memories, "OnCe green in our souls.
Such were my own impressions when
lately passing along Grace street, l OBJ
served how narrowly the old forest, or
tulip bearing poplar, standing near the
corner of Grace ana Fifth, had escaped
destruction in consequence Of the I'M
provements made in that locality. This
venerable tree has a history. Because,
of itself, IL cannot tell what has occurred
on that lot, because IL has been witness
TO, but could not see the doinss OF per-
sonageS nor hear what they said, or
remember what they did; ! propose TO
give il eyes, lend ii ears, and perhaps.
enable its whitening foliage 10 whisper
something OF itself, which may not be
known 10 many. Ii has long since reach
ed the age Of four score years: but until
Of late, has experienced neither labor
nor sorrow. Now, however, II has had
TO submit. like many other veterans, TO
the DEGREES Of fate. Its sources OF life
have been tapped, and its out-spreadlnS
limbs have been mutilated. What it
suffers thereby, We know not; save that
it's existence as one OF the venerable
landmarks Of the past, is seriously
threatened Long before IL had attained
a growth sufficient 10 throw its protect
ing shadows over man or beast, II was
a promising ornament 10 small two
stored framed house. which stood imme-
diately south OF its present position, and
fronting towards Fifth street. It's his
tory is' therefore, associated with this
humble dwelling and the great man VINO
lived and died in II.
CHANcEiLrR GEORGE wYTHK.
Before the present century began, the
famous Chancellor George Wythe, de-
scrtbed bv the historian, as the patriot,
turist and pure NirBiulan, came from
WILLIAMSBURG 10 reside In Richmond. lie
was already known TO the AinsIlSa!in PEI
ple. but more particularly 10 the Virginia
public. He was born in Elizabeth cry
county in 1925. only ten years after GOV
Spotswoods' bugles had awakened the
echoes of the wilderness beyond the
Blue Ridge, and when the western ii iinniI,
OF civilization I'm Virginia had scarcely
been established in the Piedmont region:
HIS career thus began in the earliest or
those days which soon became one OF
the most important epochs OF modern
history; and made specially remarKable
by the prolific supply OF patriots ana
statesmen, afforded by Virginia TO the
cause of human freedom
one OF the foremost OF the latter was
George Wythe. After filling many honor
able positions in his native state, ne
became one OF the signers or the pecia-
"a lion Of Indenendence, and In his later
wears was made Chancellor of Virginia
by the vote OF the Legislature.
During his long life he was identined