Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-03-24
CAPT. RICHARD H. cArLErr DEAD.

| Captain Richard Henry Catlett died at his
residence in this C ity Monday afternoon at
a quarter to one o'clock.
| Captain Catlett was born near Linden.
| Warren county, Virginia. April 10, 1928
| the youngest of family of eight children
all OF whom preceded him to the grave.
While lad he went to Orange e. Il. to live,
| and there received common school educa-
| ton. afterwards being employed in mer-
camille establishment From there he was
called to Y. M. /. at Lexington, where he
served for many years. upto 1861, as quar-
| termaster, and secretary and treasurer. Here
was formed lasting friendship between
him and Stonewall Jackson then a profess
sor at the V. NJ. 1. While at the Institute
Captain Catlett studied law under Judge
| peterborough, was graduated, and enter
| ed on the practice in Lexington. At the
breaking out of the war in 1861 he was ap-
pointed aide to Governor Letcher. In 1862
he was assigned to the staff of General John
Echols as acting assistant adjutant general,
and in 1864. he was assigned to General
James L. Kemper's staff in charge Of the
reserve organization.
In 1866 General John Echols and Captain
Catlett set out from Lexington for Win
chester to locate there in the practice of the
law. When they reached Staunton they fell
in with Major II. M. Bell and decided to
locate here, forming partnership with
Major Bell and establishing the well-known
firm of Echols, Bell and Catlett.
Captain Catlett foresaw the great develop
ment of the mineral resources of Virginia
and West Virginia, and the firm got to
handling real estate, Captain Catlett hav-
ing direction of this branch Of the business.
They induced A. A. Low of New York to
become interested in Virginia and West
Virginia, as result of which Low Moor
furnace was built and large bodies Of min
eral lands purchased. He was also con-
| cerned in the reorganization of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad when G. P. Hunt
ington went into it. General Echols then
entered the directory of this road and SUBJ
sequently devoted his entire time to railroad
interests.
Capt. Catlett was twice married, the first
wife was Mary Patton, daughter of the DR..
Patton. of the United States Navy, and
niece of John NJ. Patton, a celebrated Rich
mond lawyer. His sister married General
Philip st. George Cooke, brother Of Mrs.
Gen. j. E. B. Stuart. By this marriage
Capt Catlett leaves two sons. Charles and
Henry His second wife was Fannie B.
Gay of this city, who, with four daughters,
survives him.
Capt. Catlett was always man of exem-
plary moral character and habits; genial
companionable, hospitable, delightful
talker and a sympathetic listener. He was
a member of Trinity Episcopal church, and
until his health became poor. he was for
years a usefnl member of its vestry. A man
OF liberal views, he approved of all efforts
to improve and beautify the city. His
death is thus loss not only to his family
and close personal friends, but to the city,
which for SO years, he had made his home.
The funeral took place from Trinity Epis-
copal church on Wednesday morning at 9
O'Clock, the services being conducted by
Rev. w. q. Rullihen and were particularly
impressive. and appropriate the following
gentlemen acted as pall-bearers:
ACTIVE. Fred. Effinger, W. P. Tams,
e. S. Baker, j. Mason Miller. II. W. Holt.
Ed. Echols, Jas. K. Taylor Jno. q. Scott,
T. D. Ransom. Carter Braxton.
HoNoRARY.-Geo. NJ. Cochran, r. P. Bell,
Major T. q. Elder, DR.. Ben. Blackford,
David A. Kayser, A. F. Kinney. S. NJ. Yost.
The floral decorations were tasteful and
beautiful