Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-27
W. SEYMOUR WHITE.
Frederfcksburg's Mayor Dead
Sketch OF His Career


FREDERICKSBURG, VA, November
26.-(SpeclaL)-W Seymour White. Mayor
of Fredericksburg, died at 2:25 this morn
| ing at his home, on Washington avenue,
in the 45th year of his age He was born
here January 8, 1853. and most of his life
had been spent here. His amiable dispo-
sition greatly endeared him to all. He
studied law in the office of Judge Cool
rick, and was admitted TO the bar August
u, 1876 Mayor White taught school be-
fore beginning the practice Of law, and
was very successful as a teacher Always
ambitious, he sought a broader field
where better opportunities were offered
He was great sufferer when quite young.
and IL was feared he would not live to
reach mans estate, but he recovered. and
became quite an athlete. He was the
only son of Captain Chester b. White
and Fanny W. White, who were promi-
nently identified with the history Of this
city. Chester S. White. the father of
Mayor White, was appointed paymaster
IN the army with the rank of captain.
and assigned to duty in California, where
he died in 1860 leaving a widow with
several small children. Seymour being the |
only son, the care of the family fell to |
him at an early age and how he nor
formed the sacred duty is best known 10 |
those who were nearest to him. His life /
was one of self-sacrifce and. until the |
last rev years be scarcely knew what a |
feStIul hOur meant. He was Common
wealth's Attorney for Stafford county for
ten or twelve years and filled the posi- |
tlon with an ability that brought him
me reputation as a lawyer IL was while
he filled this office that the famous Aouia-
IRAN T0hhnTT oil J. 40. !
conduct OF the case and success i'm CON
Wctlng the train robbers brought him into
prominent notice.
Mr.. White married in 1891 Mrs Helen
Sibley Stokes, the daughter OF the late
GENERAL IL. ii. Sibley, who survives him
MT Whlte recognized the probable fatal
termination OF his illness when first
AIKEN, ana despite the cheering hope held
lut py ms physicians, insisted that he
would never get well. Closely related To |
me Hooes and Grymeses, he was a lineal
descendant OF George Mason, of Gunston
ttall. Two sisters Miss Goolrick and |
YRS. Chew, survive him. Two years ago !
hr. White and the Hon. A. l.. Embrey
bought the Fredericksburg Star from it's
ounder, X. B. Merchant, Mr.. White as
summing the editorial control He was n
orcible writer. IL was often said bv mis-
Ilends that had he turned his attention
o literature instead of the law his ruc-
ess would have been more marked. He
vas elected Mayor Of Frederic<sbu two
ears ago. and would have stood for re-
lection had he lived having made a most
opular and efficient officer
MT White was president Of the Nir-
mia Press Association 7
AT called meeting Of the Council. held
ms afternoon, Recorder III. r. Gould
ian presiding, Captain Il. NJ. McCraken 7
Tered a resolution that the Council at
md Mayor Whites funeral tomorrow
] It's official capacity. and that a meet C
ig be called for next Thursday TO hear
re tributes that the members are de-
rous OF paying their late presiding Off
n. The resolution was adopted. I
The city buildings and the Star office
re drapedf n mourning. Many messages n
coincidence have been received by the
mily from all sections OF the country.