Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-14

on Magruder's staff through breaking his
arm. and volunteered in the quarter
masters department. His offer was
accepted. and he remained in Richmond
until the close of hostilities. He was a
daring officer during his active service,
and distinguished himself on many
hard-fought field.
HIS LIFE IN BUSINESS.
Alter the war Colonel Cary engaged.
with more or less success, in several mer-
camille pursuits At one time he was the
storekeeper at the penitentiary, having
been elected 10 that position by the State
Legislature soon after the close of the
war. Later ne engaged in the wholesale
grocery business with Mr.. William A.
Armistead. under the firm-name of Armi-
stead & Cary.
He was associated in several enter
prises with Mr. Charles Y. Morris. gene
raj agent Of the Piedmont and Arlington
Life-Insurance Company. He resigned in
1871 and was associated with General
Harry Heth. as state managers of the
Life Association of America. After Gene
raj Heth withdrew, he continued the
management until January, 1873 when he
took the agency for Virginia Of the
Northwestern Mutual Life-Insurance
Company. of Milwaukee. Wis.
His friends laughed at him when he
made this departure, and scOffed at the
idea of a western insurance company
gaining a foothold in the South. But
Colonel Cary was Undannted, and by his
energy and fine business instincts he built
up an immense clientele for that COM
pany in Virginia. In 1883 North Carolina
was added 10 his field. and his son, L.
Archibald Cary. became his partner.
After he had been with this company
for three years he was elected president
of the Association of Agents. which is
composed Of several hundred of the lead
ing representatives Of the company in
all parts Of the country. Year by year
he was unanimously reelected by a
rising vote, and when recently he caused
telegram to be sent to the annual meet
ing, asking HIS confreres TO elect some
one else TO the presidency, stating that he
was hi and might never leave his house
again, he received an answer that he
had been elected. nevertheless, and affec
tiOnate resolutions of coincidence had !
been passed.
PUBLIC-SPIRITED CITIZEN.
Colonel Cary rendered distinguished SER
vice 10 the city in many ways. He served |
as a member OF the Board Of Aldermen |
for one term OF four years beginning July !
/. 1880. and was active on the Finance, |
Water and Schools committees But it |
was as Superintendent Of Public Schools |
that he rendered the greatest service, 1
and 1t has been generally conceded that |
the city never had a more efficient officer |
When he was elected TO that position
by the State Board OF Education of !
which General Fitzhugh Lee was then
president the condition that he should /
not be compelled to resign his business
interests was readily conceded
Colonel Cary was, an ardent politician
III
devoted to his profession as scholar. he
was foremost in his section in political
affairs II is said Of him. that in the old
days, when the landed gentry controlled
tho polls. the people never dreamed OF
congressman or q man for
any political Office from his district un-
less he and the late Mr. George Booker
were on hand 10 signify their wishes I'm
the premises.
He was for some time chairman Of
the City Democratic Committee, on
which body he served for a number OF
years. He was a candidate at different
times for the House Of Delegates. and
for the Senate, but was defeated both
lines. This, II is said was due to the
TACT that he never made an active can
sass, for he was so highly esteemed in
he community that II is believed If he
had asked, personally. for the SURFACES
II the people, he would not have sought
hem In vain.
one Of the most interesting, and
one of the most exciting Incl
Tents OF Colonel Cary's career was the
art he played in the duel between John
Jones. Of Norfolk, and James
barron Hope. the editor of the Norfolk
landmark The duel was fought at the
andhnIs In North Carolina. in spite Of
,olonel Cary's efforts at Cancellation.
DEVOTED no THE SOUTH.
Colonel Cary never wavered in his de-
otion TO the Lost Cause" and when
yer money was to be raised or work was
0 be done he was ready 20 labor and
id labor tirelessly for the end In view. {
/ was due chiefly TO his efforts that the !
lily Council gave the old White House OF
he Confederacy To be converted into a
luseum by the Confederate Memorial '
literary Society; II was due In q great {