Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-01-09
UNEXPECTED DEATH OF MAI.
BENJAMIN II. RAGRY.


Though sudden deaths have been so frequent
here during the past several years yet that of
Maj Benz II. Bagby, which occurred at his resi-
dence No. Cos W. Frederick street at about 10
O'Clock on last Thursday night, January 3rd
was surprise and shock to this community.
He had been well and cheerful few days be-
fore, and was i'll so short time that compare
lively few knew of his illness till they were
shocked by the announcement of his death.
He was taken sick on Wednesday, and on
Thursday morning was seized with violent
vomiting, which caused the rupture of blood
vessel in the brain which caused general paral-
ysis which commenced about | o'clock D. m +,
Thursday and caused his death at about 10
o'clock that night. He was attended Thurs
day by Drs. A. NJ. Henkel, Reese and Gibson
but his condition was beyond the restoration
of medical science and skill.
He was son of Thos. Bagby, and was born
in Charlottesville in 1929. and when quite a
youth came to this city and learned and pros
ecuted the bricklaying business His age was
Is years
He possessed cheerful disposition, and was
an active, industrious, and enterprsing citi-
zen, who was successful in business, and ac
quired property to the value of between sew
enty-fve and hundred thousand dollars,
which is situated in this city, Roanoke Clifton
Forge, and other places. He was a building
contractor and built many fine buildings in
this city. He built the large hotel at the
White Sulphur Springs and the hotel at the
Sweet Springs.
He was member of, and liberal contrib
utor to, the NJ. E. Church South. He was also
member of the Stanton Lodge No ID A F.
and A. NJ; of the Stevenson Commandery,
No. s, Knights Templar; and of the Knights
of Pythias.
He was for acme years member of the city
council, and since the death of Capt. Jas. c.
Marquis, had been President of Thornrose
Cemetery Association. He was trustee of
the Wesleyan Female Institute
His wife was Miss Lancaster of this city.
He had no children. He is survived by his
wife and brother S. N. Bagby, and his sister,
Mrs. Frederick Alfred.
He was a cousin of the late Geo. w. Bagby
the humorous author whose nom de plume was
"Mozis Addums.'
The funeral services by the Pastor Rev. ].
Il. Boyd, ID, and his Assistant, Rev. j. l.
James, were performed in the NJ. E. Church
South at o'clock p. m. Saturday, That
spacious church was filled to overfiowing by
those who attended to pay the last sad rites to
the deceased. The services were simple, but
very impressive. They began with the hymn,
Some Sweet Day. which was sung by Mrs.
Maggie Hean, nee Splitter. Mr.. Boyd then
read the service for the dead. and Mr.. James
the burial service after which Mr.. Boyd of
fered prayer. After the prayer he spoke in
eulogy of the character of the deceased as a
man, citizen, and christian. The services at
the church were concluded by the singing of
the hymn, 1--WE shall sleep but not forever"
The funeral eortege then proceeded to Thorn
rose cemetery, where the burial services by
Stevenson Lommandery were concluded.
The faculty and pupils of the Wesleyan Fee
male Institute attended the services at the
church in a body as did the Knights Templar
and the Staunton Lodge of Masons.
The fine casket was covered with floral trib
utes wrought in artistic style.
The following were the active and honorary
pall-bearers:-
Actiye-Messrs. W. L. Lushbaugh, f. W.
Stewart, Arista Hoge, A. A. Eskridge, g. G.
Gooch, J. L. Beck and Rev. W. J. f. Cox, all
Knights Templar.
Honorary-Me S. NJ. Yost, E. NJ. Cush-
ing, Heber Ker, William Jordan, II. NJ Nc
Ilhany, J. w. Splitter, P N. Powell aud Isaac
Witt.