Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-22
REV. w. w. BROWNE DEAD.
The Head of the True Heior"ers
posses Away In Washington.

Rev. William washington Browne one
of this countrys most foremost colored
men. and the executive head OF inc
Grand Fountain, United Order or True
Reformers. of this city, died yesterday
morning at o'clock at No. 2lli PENN
svlyania avenue, Washington, ID. e.
Deceased had been i'll for almost
wear his malady eventually assuming
the form of cancer. He sought medlcai
treatment. ard travelled from place 10
place TO see specialists, ALL however
without avail, and about two weeks ago
he visited Washington, where, TOT
time. he seemed TO improve. The disease
made rapid inroads on his system
though. and he finally succumbed TO It.
His remains will be brought here In
snecial car over the Chesapeake ana
Ohio this morning, and the funeral ar
rangements will be made later.
Deceased was born a slave In the state
of Georgia in 1919. and, with apsoluleiy
nothing to aid him, save an lndoIhlt@ple
will and excellent business. quallhcaIionS'
he rose from that humble start 10 De
leader among his people, and ne maue
for himself a considerable fortune. w heh
no was G wears of age he was sold to
resident
NAMED only a few years, being sold once
again. This time he went to i've IN Mem
nhis Tenn. His new master trained
him az a race-rider. and he travelled
considerably. After the beginning OF the
war he was sent to Mississippi by his
| owners but escaped and returned 10
| Memnhis He went from there to Cairo
III. and subsequently Joined the United
| States navy. and became gunner on
the United States gunboat National. he
attended school in Wisconsin until lSof'
served in the Eighteenth United states
Infantry. took part in several battles
and was mustered out at st. Louis WIN
| the rank of sergeant-major.
| browne returned to Georgia, ana aIter
awhile taught school, going afterwards
| To Alabama He then entered the Memo
dist ministry, and became a leadlns
| preacher among his race. 1t was IN Ala
! hama that he first became identlned
with the True Reformers, and when the
| work went into the hands Of the colored
neopIe themselves he was elected Grahu
| Worthy Secretary, and In 1871 was elect
cd Grand Master He edited a newspaper
I'm the interest of the work in Alabama
and in 1881 came 10 Richmond. Here ne
was elected Grand Master and given $40,
OIL which 10 commence work IN NrslilIa'
He associated with him w. +. BurreI
as private secretary and assistant aho
! I'm 1883 the organization was Incorporated
Several new departments of the worn
were introduced. and in 1888 the Savings
Bank of the Grand Fountain was incor
porated. In the financial stress OF lSS
this was the only bank in Richmond ina
did not cease to pay currency over lt'
ina
cbacks ~ this bank taken up when pre-
sented but the checks Of other banks
were often cashed. and when no money
could be gotten by Mr.. Rady, supervisor
of the School Board, to complete his pay
roll. Brownies bank came to his rescue
and advanced money though the CITY MAJ
none on deposit in that bank
ON his death-bed he transferred TO tn
trustees of the Grand Fountain the farm
known as Westham, to be used as al
old-folks' home.