Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-17

Il
valid chair)
thing like paralysis. He was n constan.
but patient sufferer, and realized as fully
as did his physician and friends that
there was no hope for his recovery. and
that at best the end was near. But he
met death as ne had borne paln-with
characteristic fortltude and courage.
Captain Babcock held "A warm place In
the affections OF the people Of Richmond.
lis record as n soldier ana courageous
officer I'm Mosby's command, his long ana
honorable business career In this city. MS
devotion To the Masonic fraternity, with
which he had affiliated since carly man
hood: his interest in fine horses, athletics.
and field sports; his broad charity and
fine character had all served 10 endear
him to those by whom he was wei
known. In his death the community
loses one OF its best citizens. whose life
has been one Of usefulness and good
deeds.
THE MASONIC HOME.
In the Masonic Home Of Vrginia-one
of the noblest charities ever established in
this State-Captain BabcOck leaves an inn
pershable monument TO his memory and
goodness OF heart. This institution was
founded through his munihcence. and the
splendid building on which work has but
recently begun Will bear evidence OF his
broad liberality.
When the committee appointed by the
Grand Lodge in 1855 to consider the mat
ter of establishing Al asylum for the
care and maintenance Of Masonic orphans
Of Virginia had about concluded to make
an adverse report, gentleman who felt
"A dcen interest in the establishment or
such an institution met Captain Babcock,
who very readily said that he would
give 5000 towards starting the home.
The committee, of which Major a. i.
Courtney was chairman. then reported
lin favor Of having a home, basing such
report from Captain Babcocks offer,
and the Grand Lodge adopted the re-
commentator. When the committee had
spent some time looking for a site, Cap
tain Babcock invited them down TO his
farm. on the Nine-Mile road, and gene
rously offered 10 donate the present
building and as much land as was de-
sired for n site. The property consists
Of forty-fve acres Of land. comfortable
tcn-room brick and frame dwelling, and
all necessary out-houses. The location Is
an that could be desired for such an
institution. being only about two miles
from the city Immediately on the Seven
Pines railroad. and well elevated ana
healthy.
THE NEW BUILDING.
The Masonic Fair held last year real
lied about $1,000 with which 1t was de-
signed to erect a new building TO meet
the pressing needs OF the home. Nhen
| Mr.. Read came to prepare his plans II
was found that the amount in hand would
not more than half pay for n structure Of
the character designed by him Captain
! Rabcock would not hear to anything less
pretentious. and offered TO give 5000 more
| TO secure such building as met with his
approval and that OF the architect. The
committee were stlll $4,000 short. and
were unwilling to incur the obligation un-
less a satisfactory loan could be secured.
Captain Babcock said that he had in
tended leaving this amount to the insti-
tuition at his death. but as It was then
| needed he would make a gift OF II In
stead OF a loan.
Such was the character OF the man.
The last visit that the deceased paid To
Richmond was on the raw afternoon early
In December when the Grand Lodge OF
Virginia held in the Masonic Temple i'm
posing exercises in connection with the
LAYING OF the cornerstone OF the home.
He was rolled into the building In his IN
valid chair, and as he was tenderly lifted
I to a position on the stage the affecting
/ scene was one that none OF those who
were present will ever forget. Though
| physical wreck. this was the triumph OF
his life He had often expressed his will
lingness to die If only permitted 10 see
tire new home under way. His wish IN
this respect was gratihed.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
CAPTAIN Babcock never married. His
! only brother, Mr.. William Babcock. lives
! In Washington, and was telegraphed for
| Yesterday. He replied that he would come
Oh the first train. The funeral arrange
ments. which will be under the direction
OF Dove Lodge, will be made to-day As
| the deceased was a member OF the Blue
Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter, and
knights Templar, il is likely that all OF
these will be represented in the funeral
ceremonies. Captain Babcock was also
member Of Lee Camp. Confederate Vete-
rams. which will probably be represented
at the funeral.
CAPTAIN BABCOCK'S LIFE.
| Captain Alexander G.. Babcock was born
| April IS, 1885. near Princeton, y. j. lie
was the son OF Robert H.. and Mary BAD
cock. His early education was ootaneh
| in the home Of his youth. and at the age
OF l3 he was apprenticed 20 the trade or
a bank-note printer in New YORK. lie De,
/ came an expert workman, ana continued
| at his trade until the commencement OF
! the war. Being II syInpathiZer with the
| South he left New YORK ana came 10
Richmond He was Immediately employed
| by the Confederate Government. and was
| assigned TO duty in the printing depart
| ment Of the Treasury and post-oiiiee
branches. where he rendered most efi-
! cient service.
While serving the government. In this
| capacity he became member OF the Third
| Virginia Battalion OF local defence troops,
| and WAS made captain of one OF the COM
| panles. Subsequently he was transferred
| fTom the Third 10 the forty-tnird slrslnla
| Battalion, commanded by Colonel John
| s. Mosby, and was assigned TO duty with
| the company of artillery attached TO that
| command. lie was taken prisoner BY the
| Federal troops In January, lss5, at cohler
| Mountain. Fauauler county, and was car
| ried to Alexandria and coniinsd IN what
| was then known as the Slaye-Pen prison.
| While there he, Ia company with other
prisoners and several prominent citizens,
| OF the place, was frequently required 10
| ride on the trains OF the Orange and
| Alexandria railroad. This was done. 70
| guard against the train being wrecked
| By Mosbys command.
From Alexandria he WAS sent TO the
Old Capitol prison IN Rashansfons ana