Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-02-21

DeatA q Mat. J. HarrtsOn Kelly.


Maj. J. Harrison Kelly died at his home
in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on Thursday
morning last, in the 7Srd year Of his age. He
was a native Of Gettysburg, Pa, and learn
ed the printing business with GOOdlOe Har-
per, of the adams Sentinel, and, as the Bal
timore SIN says. truly, learned it well, be-
ing a remarkably swift and correct cOmpOs-
itor." AT the age of twenty-one he came
to THE FREE PRESS Office as foreman and
remained with Us until lS49 He was 4
man of ability and welded forceiul and
faeile pen, and the columns Of this paper
in the forties bristled with his pungent and
effective paragraphs. He became what IS
now termed "forty-niner joining in
1910 a company Of eighty or more citizens
Of this vicinity in an overland expedition
TO Calfornis. It took six months 10 reach
the gold fields. He engaged in gold dig
cling for awhile, but soon returned 10 his
old love, that Of journalism, and became
editor OF the Sacramento Transcript in times
when for a man to have the courage of bis
convictions and express them was perilous,
indeed but he was successful and popular,
respected and esteemed, and was elected
recorder Of the city. He won his title of
Major by a brief, but active and efficient
service AGAINST the Indians, and TO his last
day suffered with acute rheumatic pains
the fruits of his California campaigning
In 1852 he returned and purchased the TIr-
giaia Herald, at Fredericksburg, and edited
il with consummate ability for many years.
In the capacity of editor, legislator, and as
party organizer and leader he exercised
great influence in the old Mother of States
and Statesmen" He lost much property
10 Fredericksburg during the war, and whilst
a member Of the Virginia legislature was a
victim of the Capitol disaster in which so
many lost life and limb. During the war
his sympathies were with the Southern peo-
pie aud all through his career he devoted
his best abilities to the interests Of the State
of his adoption. Soon after his return to
Virginia from California be married Miss
Bessie McCurdy, daughter of the late James
McCurdy of this county, and survived her
nearly eleven years. At one time he was
Grand Master of the ]. o. o. F. for the State
OF Virginia. He occupied numerous posi-
tions Of hOnor-few of emolument.
Three sisters, Mrs. James W. Beller and
Mrs. Lewis Dinkle, Of this town, and Mrs
Greenhow Daniel, of Fredericksburg, sur
vive to cherish the memory of most de-
voted brother.
The present editor of THE FREE PRESS,
when boy of twelve years. learned his first
lessons in the art preservstive of arts" un-
der the eye of Major Kelly, and all
through the years warm friendship has
existed between US. We have none other
han pleasant recollectiOns Of him to cherish.
Maj Kel'y's remains were entombed in
fredericksburg on Saturday last.
The will of Msj. J. Harrison Kelly was
admitted to probate in the Hastings Court
If Fredericksburg on Monday. Mr.. GeOrgr
E. Fiizhugh was named as executor. The
um of $500 was bequeathed to Mrs. Maria
K Daniel, of Fredericksburg, and $3.50 in
ash, each, to her sous, p V. and H. K.
Daniel aud $500 to Miss Bridget Murray,
Who had many years been his hOusekeeper
The residue Of the estate, after requests to
lis nieces, was left to his sisters wkO live in
his town-Mrs. Jane E. Beller and Mrs.
Agnes NJ. Dinkle.