Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-19
HOMES OF LONG AGO.
Memories That Cluster Around the Cor
nerS at Filth and Main.
CHECKS DRAWN FOR MILLIONS.
They Have Bcen More Common
Than Those for n Cent-HOw Cap
tain wilkinson Disposed of II
Brother-Forged His Way ont.

II is crossed by Fifth street are as his
toric, probably. as any in Richmond.
The site now known as the Allan or
Mason's lot was formerly ornamented
with house built and for many years
occupied by David Meade Randolph. an
old-time citizen Of renown in his day 1t
was subsequently purchased and occupied
by Scotch John Allan, who adopted and
reared Edgar Allan Poe. Tradition has 1t
that the wife of this gentleman being
named Molie and himself Davy, the
neighbors united in calling their place
Moldavia 1t was so known in local an
nails for years.
The site opposite the northeast corner
now occupied by that esteemed citizen
Rev. Dr. Moses d. Hoge, contained
house Ohe same occupied by DR.. Hoge)
which was built by Major James Gibbon
and long occupied by him. Major Gibbon
was a Revolutionary officer and was
known here as the hero Of Stony Point.
He was for "a short time on the stan OF
Colonel Washington, who when fresl-
dent appointed him collector OF the port
Of Richmond a position he held until ms
death. at an advanced age, about lb2O
regular army and was engaged TO be
married TO Salle Conyers. the famous
beauty who lost her life at the burning
of the Theatre i'm 1911, as did Lieutenant
Gibbon in his attempts TO save her the
bones of both are underneath the obelisk
In front of the Monumental cAurcn'
where the remains of the other victims
are laid. The fate OF pretty Sallie Con-
yers was regretted I'm prose and poetry
in the newspapers of the times.
The house at the northwest corner, go
long occupied by the late William Hal
mcr. and now by his son-in-law, James
Caskie ESQ, was built and long occu-
pied by William Foushee. Esq, first
Mayor OF Richmond. lie and John Mar
shall afterwards Chief JUSTICE were
very active in promoting the growth and
advancing the fortunes OF Richmond III
its earliest stages. Thomas Richie, who
started the Richmond Enquirer in l6y5'
married Isabella Foushee. one OF the
beauties OF her day. Her son. William
Foushee Richie, also afterwards an edi-
tor Of the Enquirer, was so named
in honor OF her father after whom
street was also named. Dr.. FOushee was
popular citizen. abOuuded in good
works, and died universally lamented.
The lot standing at the southwest
corner Of Fifth and Main was formerly
| graced by a house built by Thomas Tay-
| lor, an opulent and highly respected old
/ time merch mt. After his death that
! famous. old time educator Miss Jane
/ Mackenzie. of happy memory, occupied
the place as a boarding and day school.
Many a former Richmond boy and girl
will remember this estimable lady with
/ pleasure. even II che did use a rattan
and her slipper as one OF her adjuncts
IN instillng information into the youthful
mind About $40 the house was pur-
chased by John &. HObsOn, a Goochland
farmer. who had been elected president
Of the Richmond Branch OF the Exchange
| Bank Of Norfolk. Mr.. Hobson had the
| old dwelling removed, and i'm its stead
erected the commodious building still or
namenting the grounds. The builder OF
/ the HobsOn house was Robert Mcclellan,
who also built the Exchange Hotel
For the latter purpose he brought TO this
city n score of skilled workmen, most
Of them like himself OF Scotch birth
That memorable fellow-citizen and
worthy man, George Gibson, Sr.. was one
| Of McClelan's men. Mr.. Hobson occu-
pied the property for many years. The
late Judge William II. Lyons married
one Of his daughters. At Mr.. Hobson's
death the property was sold to the late
r. O. Noting by whose estate IT IS still
held. The brick-work OF tho house was
done by Beazley q Quarles.
Checks for millions OF dollars end
checks for the most insignificant amounts
are in evidence to show the value Of
such paper I'm adjusting balances. large
or small. Mention has been made OF
one for $4,000 given on occasion by
Flood & OBrien. Of the Bank Of Cali
| fornia. in adjusting a bank balance.
| Other checks given in the United States
since the time Of Flood & OBrien have
been given for even larger amounts.
Some checks for adjusting balances have
been ridicuously small. Some fifteen
years ago Mr.. G. +. Johnston, then a
/ well-knOwn newspaper and periodical
dealer Of Main street. received from the
then United States Treasurer, at Wash
ington. q formal order encircled with
the usual Accomplishments Of verbiage,
and encircled by typographical excel
lency, directing any United States deposit
tory or other fiscal agent Of the govern
ment TO pay Johnston cent. which had
! been found due him on settlement of ac-
count When last heard from Johnston's
price for the curio was 800. with sundry
bidders. OF course, whoever finally pos
sesses that piece Of paper will frame and
preserve it as curiosity.
|
A laughable incident floats down the
tide OF nearly twenty years agone. At
that time a bibulously inclined citizen of
upper Henrico county was a member Of
an uptown Richmond lodge. Otherwise
| than his remarkable tendency TO fall by
/ the wayside when any exhibit of corn
Juice was made in his presence he was
a very good fellow. Ii he came TO town
II was pretty certain that he would sue
cumb to overpowering influences and re-
sources. About this time the Hon. ID.
Crockett Richardson was Police Justice.
That well-known and athletic conserva-
tor of the peace, noted no less FOR his
poWer Of muscle than his urbanity and
courtesy in the execution of the difficult
trusts confided to his care and proN!dent
| circumspection, Captain William Z.
! Wilkinson. was baiiff OF the Police Court
AT the time. one may be sure he Kept
vieilant watch and ward there. Thus
much may be affirmed with entire as
surance of its verify. Police-Justice Rich
ardson and his adjunct. Captain Niikin-
son. are jealous lodge men. one DAY
nearly twenty years ago one was sittlnS
| i'm Judgment while the other, as was ms
duty zealously guarded the outer portals
preventing any undue disruption or the
| eayydust CARPET of the court floor. or the
/ aoproach any OF those cowans and caves
droppers whose presence. always unwel-
| come Is ever 10 be avoided. While JUS
tice Richardson thus calmly poised the
| scales Of Justice, and Bailif Wilkinson
kent watch and ward on the outer bat
Elements, some Third-Station policeman