The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-13
A ROMANTIC LIFE ENDS.
ALEXANDER conn. THE BLOch-
ABE RUNNER.v DIES ~ POTTERY:.
lie Gained Large Fortune In Virginia
and >orth Carolina During the civil
War-fIed From England.


Ihe New YORK fiiti Hiu "a y''t't""s
says:
Two men were the only mourners at
the Woodlawn Cemetery yesterday at
the, funeral service over the body of
Alexander Collie. a man who few years
ago was known in every European capi-
tai In the civil war he was noted
blockada-runner. who established head
quarters in wilmington. y. c. Under
the guns OF Fort Fisher this Blockade
King" carried on thriving trade In the
contraband articles Of war, and exported
ths cotton OF the South. The house
which he established at Wilmington was
an abode Of luxury. Never did cham
pagne flow so freely, never was hospi-
tality more lavish than IN the nome ''
the Blockade King" There the ieau-
ors of The Southern COnfederacy met 10
take counsel together. ..
Collie. who at one time could nave
drawn his check for millions OF doiarS'
died few days ago. almost deslltu,e'
and his funeral expenses were paid by
a son ~ an old friend lie died at the
Colonial Hotel on ono Hundred ana
,rventv-dfth street, on November loth.
pnt foT the fact that through some
friends he had been able TO collect
small amount on an cid claim, he would
have been unable 10 pay his board DILL
There is no name on the coiiin-plate
for he died under the assumed name or
George Mcneil.
MADE MONEY FAST
Wilmington. y. c.. was noted in the
civil war for its bockace-runners, ana
famous Fort Fisher, al the mouth OF
Cane Fear river, commanded then by
Young Virginia officer, Colonel william
Lamb. was the favorite gateway INTO
the harbor Among the Enshsh houses
who were engaged In blockade-running,
and owning by far the largest fleet OF
splendid steamers. was that of Alexander
/ Collie A. Co. the reputation and high
commercial standing Of which was at the
tfr,a v-orif-vide Their vessels were
The neetess finest, and best-equiDped
for the service for which they were de-
signed. GLIDING the United States DOCK
aiding cruisers.
Alexander Collle's home in London. sit
uated I'm kensington Gardens was one
Of princely hospitality. II was gorgeous
~ fitted up. had a corps OF lVerleu SER
wants and the entertainments given
there were on the most grand and eX-
travagant scale This grand establish
ment v-as especially made the home or
1 the Confederate officials and friends or
the Confcderacy in England, and Mr..
| Collie had often as his guests ext hlted
state Senator T. NJ. Mason, the Con-
/ federate Commissioner 20 England and
| Mr.. Sldell. the Confederate representa-
/ tive to France. I'm Wilmington. n. CO
the firm leased one OF the handsomest
houses in that city.
A GIGANTIC FAILURE.
Following their successful trade ana
speculations during the war, Alexander
Collie a. co. went into the cotton and
cotton-Eoods trade establishing branch
houses in Egypt. British India, Australia,
and South America. Operations were
begun on a gigantic scale. and Ina an
effort 10 corner cotton goods in all the
markets Of the world. somewhere I'm The
early seventies Collie made the largest
failure known in the history Of 'com-
merce His liabilities. above his avail
able assets. were 40,0ooO0 pounds, equifa-
lent 10 500. 000O 900.
Alexander Collie the head Of the house.
who was held responsible for the fail
urc had to flee from England. and he
was spirited away 10 the private yacht OF
"a friend. i'm which he sailed TO Barcelona,
| Spain Mis- flight from England caused
am immense sensation. and though pur-
| sued by creditors and detectives he sue
cessfuly euded them From Spain. he
/ went direct TO South America and I'm a
few years reappeared al the White Sui
phur Springs as travelling artist
| George Mcneil by name. lie was there
! recognized by George Peterkin Grant. a
wealthy Englishman. who owns hand
some estate. on which he built beauti-
fu residence, about two miles from the
Springs.
Mr.. Grant Kept Collie's secret. and he
remained in that vicinity for several
years. lie afterwards went to Rich
mond. where. owing 10 his knowledge OF
finances. he became associated with the
late Colonel II. c. Parsons, James c.
Blaine. General Butler. and lothers. in
the Richmond and Allegheny railroad,
which corporation acquired the famous
James River and Kanawha Canal. in
Virginia. and which had for It's road-bed
the tow-path Of the canal.
Prosperous for a time. he projected
other railroads. but misfortune seemed to
follow him, and finally he became again
embarrassed. and, comparatively without
means. came 10 this city.
DIED IN POVERTY.
One OF the strangest things I'm con-
nection with the Blockade King was that,
although he lived in compartive poverty
I'm New York. his wife was living IN
luxury i'm London. As Alexander Collie.
he was supposed 10 have been lost al sea
lie evidently made some disposition Of
some property I'm favor OF his wife. and
went TO a life OF obscurity and poverty
alone.
lie was burned out or the Harlem nat
whore he lived several months AGO. and
went 10 live al the Colonial Hotel. There
he was found by several friends among
them Richard Lamb. eldest son Of COL
one Lamb. OF Fort Fisher These men
experienced much difficulty I'm aiding him
on account OF his pride.
Mr.. Collie claimed to bee the inventor
OF the manufacture Of glucose.