Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-26
A VIRGINIA HEROINE.
THE EXAMPLE LOUISA LuMPToN SET
TO YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN.
Her Fathers Debts, and Became
Bank Director.
fwrItten for the DIspatch.l


OF Botetourt. in Virginia. He had been
Deputy Sheriff. and then High Sheriff.
several terms. and the people were 30
well pleased with his administration OF
the affairs OF the office. which. until the
new Constitution went into effect, was,
perhaps. the most important in their gift,
as the Sheriff collected the county and
State taxes, that they pressed him 10
stand for reelection. But Captain Jim.
as he was Familiarity called by everybody,
respectfully declined, and voluntarily re-
tired to one of the several farms he
owned.
The people admired Captain Jims
rugged honesty, CHEEKY manner, big,
sympathetic heart. and splendid courage,
and would have gladly given him their
support for any position he aspired 10, no
matter how exalted. He was every
honorable mans friends. but a terror %
evil-doers. His record as an officer was
without spot or blemish, and In his re-
tirement he carried with him the unanl-
nous verdict OF the people. "Well done,
thou good and faithful servant"
At the farm. rs at Fincastle. the coun-
ty seat OF Botetourt. Captain jim kept
open house. No man, woman, or child
ever applied at his door for shelter food,
or clothing and was sent away unsatis-
fed. He dispensed hospitality and charity
with open hands and heart. and thanked
God that he possessed sufficient OF this
worlds goods to do so without danger
OF bringing want to the inmates Of his
own home.
A KING.
a happier family than the Lumptons
could not be found In old BStetourt. Per-
feet love and trust was enthroned there
and Captain Jim was regarded by his
wife and two children, Margaret and
Louise. as a king among men. If any
man deserved TO be so regarded he did.
At the age of 20 Margaret gave her
hand In marriage to William Denworth
Of New Mexico Territory who had won
her heart while attending a college In
a neighboring county. He graduated with
the highest honors OF the school, and
after taking IL full course in the law
school OF the University Of Virginia
claimed his promised bride. The wedding
was the social event of that year II
Botetourt, and the bride and groom car
rled with them TO their faw away west
ern home the good wishes of thou
sands OF the people Of the county
each Of whom cherished the memory OF
some kind word spoken or deed per
formed for their good by Captain Jim.
Little did Margaret Denworth think, as
she bid her parents and sister teariu
farewell at Cloverdale Station, That she
would never see her father again. Ht
was hale and hearty, although three
score years had silvered his hair ana
slightly bent his form. lie had Otter
EXPRESSED the wish that death, when il
claimed him, would do so quickly ano
without innicting his body with pain. he
was at peace with the world and Goa
and knew that when the call came II
would be TO come up higher" as he eX'
pressed It.
PRAYER ANSWERED.
One morning, in the latter part OF NO
vember. IS, Captain Jim was gathered
to his fathers. Death came as ne nae
often wished, quickly and without pain
The family, after breakfast, repaired &c
the sittine-room. as had been their Gus
tom for many years. to spend shor'
time in family worship" Captain jim
road a chapter from the old Bible, the
gift Of his mother on his wedding night
art done with Thy servant on earth
take him to Thyself in Heaven, for the
dear Sayiour's sake" were the last words
he ever uttered on earth. His wiie aho
daughter waited for the Amen thai
never came from his lips. His prayer had
been answered.
People came from all over the county
and many from other counties TO attend
the funeral and burial of Captain jim.
He was laid to rest in the family burylng-
ground, close by the side of his mother.
A plain marble slab, on which the dates
Of his birth and death are recorded,
marks his last resting-place. He left no
VIII disposing of his property, hence the
law decreed that il should be divided
equally between the widow and children
but Margaret, whose husband had accu'
INFLATED a fortune in the West, declined
to take her share.
DIED IN DEBT.
Great was the surprise Of the people
OF Botetourt to learn that Captain jim
had died In debt. lie had mortgaged his
home to raise money to lend three Of his
neighbors., whose farms were about to
be sold for the balance of the purchase
money. They were unable 70 take NJ
their notes. which had not been secured
by any lien upon their property, although
they offered each to execute a mortgage
to Mrs. Lumpton. She would not have
It so.
Captain Jim did not ask this of you. -
she said, land | cannot allow IT, l viii
try and repay Mr. Fenton, from whom
he borrowed the money to lend you, and
you WILL | am sure repay me as soon
as you can"
But how to raise the money for Mr.
Fenton was a problem which cost Mrs
Hampton and Louise many anxious days
and nights. They advised with their
neighbors, and prayed to God for light
to guide them to solution that would
not require the sacrifice Of their home.
A CONFERENCE.
Light came not to the mother, but "a
the daughter, Louise, who announced her
intention to assume the management OF
the farm and make 1t yield not only a
support, but n surplus sufficient TO pay
every dollar of the debt incurred by her
father Her mother demonstrated and eX-
pressed doubts. but Louise was firm In
her resolve. She summoned all the ten
ants TO a conference and acquainted
them with her plans and secured from
each a promise of such assistance ~ she
might need in her self-appointed task
Three years nave passed.. MI. ItntoA
no longer holds the note OF Captain James
Iumpton for 5000. The Homedale farm
which he left largely TO the care OF his
tenants. who allowed weeds and briars
10 capture several Of the most produc-
tive fields, including the orchards and
VINEYARDS, and the fences TO fall into
decay. is now a garden spot" a mode
for all farmers who have lost money by
bad management. The family residence
has been remodelled. handsome lawr
laid out. a school-house built, and books
purchased for the use of the tenants
children at a cost of several thousand
dollars. And this is not all. The books
OF the First National Bank OF Roanoke
Va show Louise I.umptOn TO be no.
only a stakeholder, but with larger De
posit subject to her check TO her credi
than her father owed Mr.. Fenton.
A GRAND WOMAN.
rouise IS still unmarried but not be
cause she has not been wooed time ahC
again by young men who admire me-
MUCK and strong common sense. To al
She has said gently: Mother Is gettins
ola she needs me every day! l can
leave her now" Some day. when hel
mother is at rest by the side OF Captain
lin. she may find in her heart different
answer for one of the several suitors whs