Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-12
Ex-GOV. HOLT DEAD.
FuxEnAL ro-MoRnow MORNING.
TAe Governor and his star, the
oAsr state omesrs, and the Cow
errors esard win Astend-rhe E1-
Geyerner.s Career.


RALEIGH. N. c., April n.-Ex-Govern-
or Thomas NJ. Holt died at $40 this
afternoon. at Haw River. his home. His
age was 6. He served two years as
Governor. He was the largest cotton
manufacturer IN North Carolina. and
one OF It's wesithiest citizens. Governor
Carr has called council OF state TO
meet tomorrow morning TO arrange Tor
the funeral He has sent telegram
Of coincidence to Mrs. Holt
A telegram from members OF the family
70 the Southern Associated Press cor
respondent says the funeral viii be
held at II O'Clock Monday morning at
Haw River. Governor Carr and stan.
the other state officers. and the Gov
srnor's Guard will attend the funeral.
Ex-Governor Holt was stricken last
TUESDAY, and he never rallied. His death
was due 10 Brights disease.
Thomas Michael Holt. manufacturer
legislator and forty-sixth Governor OF
North Carolina u9i-'9D. was born In
that portion OF old Orange county, now
Included in Alamance county juno is,
1851 His father established the first cot
ton factory In Middle North Carolina
Ills son was prepared for college at Cald-
well Institute. Hillsboro'. and then en-
tered the University OF North Carolina,
the celebrated Chapel Hill Seminary, in
is49. Soon after beginning his third col
iegiats year OF study he left the univer-
sity and devoted a year 10 practical study
in the largest machine-shops In Phila-
deiphia, that he might become proficient
In practical mechanics.
On his return, in 1851, he became
partner with his father, and the man
ager Of one OF the mills, which for more
than forty years took the hrst rank
among the cotton manufacturing indus
tries In the State. The boundaries OF
the firms business steadily increased, un-
Ill an immense manufacturing industry
was developed. In 1899 SisS spindles and
z34 looms were in operation, giving con-
stant employment to over 600 operatives.
Governor Hollis public life began in
IsSs. whom he became Justice OF the
Peace by act OF the Legislature, and also
chairman of one OF the boards established
IN his town. He was in 1879 elected coun-
~ commissioner and made chairman
OF the board. and 1876 elected State sena-
tor. During his senatorship he aided ma
terialIy I'm the establishment of the State
Agricultural Department. In 1888 and
again in 1885 he represented his county
in the Legislature, being In the latter
position elected Speaker OF the House.
In 1857 he was again elected 10 the House.
but declined to accept the office or
Speaker In 1858 he was elected Lieu
tenant-Governor OF the State, and on
the sth OF April, 1891, was called to the
Executive chair on the sudden death OF
Governor Fowle.
In his railroad and manufacturing en-
terprises Mr.. Holt had achieved a more
than ordinary success. In 1863 he was
made a director of the North Carolina
railroad. one of the most important lines
in the State, and In 1875 Its president.
The village of Haw River is mainly the
creation of the genius and industry OF Mr..
Holt II comprises about $50 exclusive
ly Holt buildings. more than 100 OF
which are painted and finished brick anc
frame dwellings. and tenented by his
employees. They are all constructed with
special reference 10 the convenience
and comfort OF their tenants. In aooi'
ton to these are q ive-story hour-mili
n large mercantile house. and church
where the Holt family and the operatives
worship. and whose pulpit was filled most
u
ally ascending eminence may be seen IT
his prlncely mansion one OF the most
elaborate and magnificent country dwell
inas In the State. The grounds cover
twelve acres.
He was also largely interested In agri'
culture and was president OF the Nortf
Carolina Agricultural Society for tweivt
years. His varied experience. ripe judg
ment. and sterling character made MN
one OF the most influential senators. H'
labored successfully for the establish
ment OF the Agricultural Department
ara was by virtue OF his position
as president of the Agricultural Society
made a member of the board controil
iirg II.
The Daily Record. Greensboro. N. c.
commenting on Governor Hollis admins
tration as Governor says: mo man ever
flIea the gubernatorial chair with mor'
dignity and ability than Governor Holt
His message to the Legislature Januar,
1894. Is conceded to be one OF the ables
State papers that ever emanated from
the Executive Office. No man eve
left the Office more beloved and re
spected by his people. He retired iron
public life temporarily, only to attain
IN the future higher honors than mos
he had ALREADY enjoyed, and generation
20 come will delight to honor his memo
ry'
He was In the highest significance o
that phrase a man OF the people ana 10
The people, and in all his untarnishe'
record as a legislator and in other pub
lie capacities he was ever foremost In tn
advocacy OF those measures and enter
prises which were calculated to engen
DER and foster the greatest good to nj
State. his country. and his neighber.
Governor Holt was Royal Arch Ma
son, and had been an elder OF the Presoy
terrain Church for more than thirty years
-