Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-17

DEATH OF THIS WELL-kNOWs
PETERSBURG GENTLEMAN.
A SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
Services ms Soldier ana 10 inc
Democratic Party--An Excee""s''
po,d uobbcry-The Thieves Arrest
ed-PersOnal Notes.

PETERSBURG, VA. January l6.-'spe-
cial.)-Mr. j. Finley Mcllwaine' one u
the most genial OF gentlemen, one OF the
truest Of men. one OF the most coihpan-
ionable Of friends. and one OF the worm
lest of citizens. died about / o'clock inns
morning at his residence, on ADAMS
st.cet after brief illness, OF
pneumonia. The announcement OF MS
death caused general and sincere res'e'
I'm the community, where all knew hlh'
and all loved him for his sturdy honesty
his independence, and his noble traits oi
character.
Mr.. McIlwaine was born In this city III
lSH. and he was, therefore, In the o''h
year of his age. He was the son OF inc
late A. G. McIlwaine. for many years
one of Petersburg's most prominent mer-
chants and citizens Beginning his edu-
cation in this city, he subsequently grad
uated lat Hampden-Sidney College with
credit. and entered the University or
Virginia to prepare himself for the lega'
profession. After a years course, now
ever. he abandoned this intention. ana
returning home, entered into business.
In 1861. when the call to arms was made
Mr.. McIlwaine promptly entered the ser
vice of Virginia as a member OF the
petersburg Cavalry, and served with
bravery. After the close or the war
he became the purchaser of the celebrated
Hog Island estate, on James river, Wnere
he farmed for many years. In 1871 ne
sold this property, and, returning 10 re.
tersburg. took an active part IN local
notifies Under his vigorous leadership
the city was wrested in 1883 from the
Republicans. who had been in power since
1852. Mr. McIlwainc demonstrated by ac-
tual figures that the white voters were IN
the majority in the city, and. therefore,
they should rule. After one of the hardesl
political fights ever known IN our MS
tory. Mr.. McIlwaine's assertion was sus-
tanned. and the Democrats came INTO
power. which they have kept ever since.
From 1888 to 1892 Mr.. McIlwaine filled
tho Office of CITY Auditor. with entire ac-
ceptance. During the past four or hve
wears he was interested in the develop
ment of valuable mineral and manufac-
turing properties in Southside Virginia,
which promised abundant reward had he
lived.
Mr.. McIlwaine was man of unbending
Integrity. of the highest sense of honor,
perfectly fearless and independent IN All
his conduct and yet q man OF the noDiest
impulses, of the tenderest feelings, ana
of unbounded generosity. In social LIE
he was exceedingly attractive ana en-
PERTAINING. and was very popular.
Mr.. McIlwaine was married in 1860. MS
wife being Miss Sarah Embra Read, OF
Farmyile, Va, who died In 1910. Inc
deceased left surviving him several chill
ID T0Il
sarah e. McIlwaine. of Nashville. Tenn;
Mrs. Carr Moore, of Bridgewater, va;
Professor Henry r. McIlwaine and MISS
Mary Finley McIlwaine. of Hampden-
Sidney: Mrs II. A. White, of Buena
Vista, Vat and Mr.. Richard Mcllwalne'
Jr.. Of Norfolk. He was brother OF MIS-
Robert A. Merlin, Mrs. j. Mel. stephen
son and the late Mrs. ]. Craig Riddle, OF
this city: Rev. DR.. Richard Mcllwaine, OF
Hampden- Sidney, ard Mr.. Archer u. Mcli-
vaine. Of Roanoke, Va. and an uncle OF
Senator William Il. ana DR.. X. ID. Mcll-
waine Of this city.
Hhig funeral will take place tomorrow
afternoon at 800 O'Clock from Tabo-Street
Presbyterian church.
SERIES OF BOLD ROBBERIES.
The store of Mr.. 4. +. Deadman. In
pocobontas was entered by burglars last
night and almost rihed of its stock OF
goods. over thirty gallons of liquor,
tho stock beer, all the bacon, nearly
1000 cigars. three barrels of flour Tin
sacks). a bag Of beans, and other articles
were stolen and carried off. The burglars
left evidences Of their visit by the empty
champagne cider and beer-bottles, scat
tered about. showing that they had had
n .'ioIly time" Entrance was forced
through the front door. This Is the Sc
cond time within the past two weeks
that this store has been robbed. The
police tonight arrested Wyatt Mason
Junius Davis, Jasper Mason. Miles Ill
vens and Rufus Monroe all colored. as
the parties who broke into the store.
WYATT Mason made a full confession,
duplicating all the others. and telling ex-
actly how the store was broken into ond
how the goods were carried away All
of the men arrested are bad characters,
two of them having served terms in the
penitentiary.
Mr.. John Shackelford. of Chesterfield
county. reported to the police last eve
ming that a fine gold ring, three silk
mufiers. and other articles rad been
stolen from his residence. supposedly by
a negro girl. whom he had employed but
who had disappeared. The girl lives in
the city. and, on searching the house of
her mother, where she lives. the stolen
property was recovered. The girl, how
ever. has not yet been caught. In the
house was also found lady's fine gold
watch. of which no satisfactory account
could be given, and which is believed TO
have been stolen.
On Wednesday night the barbershop of
George Thweatt, on Third avenue. was
robbed of several razors and several pairs
of shears.
PERSONALS AND BRIEFS.
Mr.. T. L. Shipper. Collector of Gus
toms at this port is seriously III, his con-
dition to-day being more unfavorable.
Captain John S. Worthington. whose
illness has been mentioned, is reported
as better to-day.
The dwelling OF Rosa Christian,
worthy colored woman, in Chesterfield
county. on the turnpike, about six miles
from this city, was destroyed by fire at
an early hour yesterday morning. Every
thing In the house, including a part OF
the years crop was burned. The fire
was accidental, and there is no insurance
on the property.
The quarterly meeting of the Methodist
Sunday-School Association of this city
will be held at the Market-Street church
tomorrow Sunday afternoon. The adj
dress will be delivered by Rev. A. r.
Ruckles, Of Ettrick.