Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-12-18


the Woodlawn cemetery at the funeral
service over the body OF Alexander
Collie, man who few years ago was
known in every European capital. In
the civil war he was noted blockade
runner, who established headquarters
in Wilmington, N. G. Under the guns
of Fort Fisher, this Blockade King
carried on thriving trade in the con-
traband articles of war, and exported
the cotton of the South. The house
which is established at Wilmington was
an abode of luxury. Never did cham
pagre flow so freely, never was hospi-
tality more lavish than in the home OF
the Blockade King There the lead
ers of the Southern Confederacy met to
take counsel together.
Collie, who at one time could have
drawn his check for millions OF dollars,
died few days ago, almost destitute,
and his funeral expenses were paid by
a son of an old friend. He died at the
Colonial Hotel, on One Hundred ard
Twenty-fflh street, on November 18th.
But for the fact that through some
friends he had been able to collect
small amount on an old claim, he would
have been unable to pay his board bill.
There is 10 name On the coffi u
plate, for ne died under the assumed
name OF George Mcneil.
Wilmington, n. c.. was noted in the
civil war for its blockade. runners, and
famous Fort Fisher at the mouth cf
Cape Fear river, commanded then by
a young Virginia officer, Colonel VIII
liam Lamb, was the favorite gateway
into the harbor. Among the English
houses who were engaged in. blockade
running, and owning by far the largest
feet of splendid steamers, was that OF
Alexander Collie & Co., the reputation
and high commercial standing of which
was at the time worldwide. Their
vessels were the heetest, finest and
best-equipped for the service for which
they were designed, ,eluding the United
Ststes blocking cruisers.
Alander Collie's home in London, sit
uatod in Kensiugton Gardens, was one
of princely hospitality. 1t was gor-
geously fitted up, had corps ofliEeried
servants, and the entertainments given
there were on the grandest and most ex-
extrayaeant scale. This grand establish
ment was made the home OF the Con-
federate officials and friends of the
Confederacy in England, and Mr.. Col
lie had efteD as his guests ex-UDiteti
State Senator I'M. Mason, the Confed-
crate Commissioner to England, and
Mr.. Slideil. the Confederate representa-
tive to France. In Wilmington, 4. c.,
the frm leased one OF the handsomest
bouses in that city.
Following their successful trade and
speculations during the war, Alexander
Collie Il Co. went into the cotton and
cotton goods trade, establishing branch
houses in Egypt, British India, Aus
tralia, and South America. Operations
were begun on a gigantic scale, and in
an effort TO corner cotton goods in all
the markets of the world, somewhere
in the early seventies, Collie made the
largest failure known in the history OF
commerce. His liabilities, above his
available assets, were 20 0GO, 900 pounds,
equivalent to $500, 900, 600.
house, who was held responsible for the
failure, had TO fee from England, and
he was spirited away to the private
yacht of friend, in which he sailed to
Barcelona, Spain. His fight from Eng
land caused an immense sensation and
though pursued by creditors and de-
tectiyes, he successfully eluded them.
From Spain, he went direct to South
America, and in few years reappeared
at the White Sulphur Springs as
travelling artist-George Mcneil by
name. he was there recognized by
George Peterkin Grant, a wealthy
Englishman, who owns hsadsome es-
tate, on which he built beautiful resi-
dence. about two miles from the
Springs.
Mr. Grant kept Collie's secret, and
he remained in that vicinity for several
years. He afterwards went TO Rich
mond, where, owing TO his knowledge
of finances. ne became associated with
the late Colonel Ell. C. Parsons, James
G. Blaine, General Butler, and others,
in the Richmond and Allegheny rail-
road, which corporation acquired the
famous James river aud kanawha ca
nal, in Virginia, and which mad for
i s road-hed the tow-path OF the canal.
Prosperous for time, he projected
other railroads, but misfortune seemed
to follow him. and finally he became
again embarrassed, and, comparatively
without means, went to New York.
One of the straDgest things in con-
nection with the Blockade King was
that, although he lived in comparative
poverty in New York, his wife was
! living in luxury in London. As Alex
andeT Collie, he was supposed to have
been lost at sea. He evidently made
some disposition OF some property in
favor OF MS wife, aud went to life OF
obscurity and poverty alone.
He was burned ont of the Harlem
! fat where he lived several months ago,
and went TO live at the Colonial Hotel.
There he was found by several friends,
among them Richard Lamb, eldest son
of Colonel Lamb. of Fort Fisher. These
men Experienced much difficulty IN
aiding him on account OF his pride.
Dir. Collie claimed 10 De the inventor
OF the manufacture OF glucose.