Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-12
CAPTAIN DRINKARD.

There IS death in the Dispatches house
hold, and William Francis Drinkard is no
more with US. lie was the eldest Of our
staff. the senior in length OF service. and
one whom we all looked up 70. His assoc
citation with this paper dated from its
revival after the war Before that time
our deceased brother had been known as
the editor OF a promising weekly at Fair
mount, and later as "a Confederate cap
tain Of ordnance, stationed here. That
he had been bred in the atmosphere Of
printing houses; that he was painstaking
and scholarly man. was known. but it re-
nained for him. in his work on the Dis
patch. TO develop qualities that entitled
him to rank as a genius.
For a great many years he was the
editorial assistant Of the late James A.
Cowardin, Esq, the founder Of the Dis
patch. and upon Mr.. Cowardin's death
ne was charged with many of his duties.
And these no continued to perform until
. few years ago, when ill-health COM
PEELED him TO cease work. While his
connection with the paper was dissolved
only by death. his contributions of late
were few. Great bodily suffering, con-
tinued through many years. making his
nights dreadful and his bed torture. had
unnerved him and untitled him for active
duties. tnt during most OF the time
ne was able TO be OF great use in ad-
yisiRg and counselling his associates.
In expressing our grief at the death of
our brother. we declare unreservedly that
he was one OF the best men we have ever
known. He was the soul Of honor and
truth. There was no equivocation about
him. When ne spoke no spoke the truth
es he saw 1t. lie was free from envy and
spite, and devoid Of ostentation. His mind
was one OF great acquisitiveness and his
judgment finely balanced. calm. and re-
liable
From his youth he had been q hard
student. and ne had mastered several
languages, including his own His es-
pecial delight was to discuss nice ques-
rions of English grammar. and in this
neld OF controversy lac had won great
reputation. lie was also well versed in
fhe history Of the Federal Constitution,
and in pursuit of knowledge Ia that dlrec-
ton and 10 aid him In other duties, he
had taken a course Of law lectures long
after he had passed middle age Cram
mar. constitutional law. and politics had
great charms for him.
1t was remarkable what large number
OF men came to Captain Drinkard or wrote
10 him for his advice on public questions
But even more remarkable was the labor
and pains he took 10 serve them. Ills
disposition was ever obliging and his love
OF his friends great. His health did not
permit him TO mingle much with the pub
lie. and yet ne was always in touch with
the people. and rarely mistook their judg-
ment.
In his newspaper work Captain Drink
ard was thorough, painstakng, and con-
scientious, and editorial writing was his
forte. He was an influential but neon
spieuous leader in the movement which
resulted In the formation OF the Conserva-
tive pemocratic) party in Virginia in
1862 and was ever afterward devoted TO
the cause that that organization espoused.
But he asked no office. sought no promi-
nence, and was content TO occupy the hon
orable but unofficial place always accorded
him In the innermost councils Of our
party.
The Virginia public is as much indebt-
cd TO Captain Drlnkard as TO any man
we know for unselash public spirit. lie
'&as always working for Virginia, for
I4f*chp,ond and for tha DefnocPatic norsy--
~ himself he asked nothing. True
om time TO time he held positions of |
nor on committees and boards, but they |
re accepted by him IN puro unselhsh- |
Us; his only political ambition was