Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-07
GEO. BOOKER DEAD
y
Popular B0niface Passed Peace
fully Away Last Night.
AFTER LINGERING ILLNESS
Funeral Takes Place from St. Johns
Church, Hampton, Tomorrow
Afternoon. Other Items.
AFTER LINGERING lLLNE!

Sherwood Hotel. at Old Point, is dead.
Mr.. Booker has been III for nearly
one month. Saturday evening last he
vas taken suddenly worse. ana at 40
o'clock last evening he passed peace
fully away
Mr.. Booker has been 4 sufferer from
acute stomach trouble for many years.
hut lately his health began to give
way. IN the early pall of June Mr.
hooker accompanied b. his wife and
niece. Miss lima Won SETTLING went
abroad with the hope that he might be
improved. He first went 70 Germany.
ard after receiving treatment in one
of the hospitals there. he proceeded to
Amsterdam Here he improved :: lit
Tie. but as it was evident that his dis
ease had gotten the better Of him. the
deceased expressed the wish that they
return home in order that he might
pass his remaining days at his home
here. He arrived at Old Point during
the month Of September but has been
confined TO his room sinre his return
'Mr- Booker was a man Of broad mind
ard wonderful business capacitie He
was we'll read. and had few superiors
as q conversationalist. Possessing
bright. cheerful disposition. he had
made friends by the scores, and espe
clallE among the young.
The deceased was born at Sherwood
farm. near Hampton, August p. 1914,
the second son Of Major George Book
er. He received his education at Will
liamsburg and at the Hampton Military
Academy. until that Institution was
closed early in the war. His first mil
ltarE experience was gained when he
was seventeen years Of age upon the
arrival Of General Hood in the PENN
sula. That officer selected young
Booker and several other boys. famil-
lar with the surrounding country, for
tie duty of securing information re-
Sarding the Federal forces at Old
Point and the naval ard ordnance
strength of the army. While in the
performance Of their duty his party Of
four were surprised by eight or ten
Yankees and ordered to surrender But
knowing their fate if they did so, they
made a gallant retreat under heavy fire
and were able to kill three of their rur-
suers by a return of fire and escape
without injury to them selves. During
I this period also. he Went through the
Federal lines twice to visit his old home
procuring provisions and considerable
valuable information for the Com:eder-
ate army. He took part in the battle
of Big Bethel, and in 1862 assisted in
transporting quartermasters and COM
missary stores on schooners up the
river to Richmond. He there met his
brother, assistant provost marshal. who
secured for him a position in the same
line Of duty, in which he continued.
until early in 1858 when he enlisted as
4 private in the first company of Rich-
Tnond Howitzers. In the operations of
his command he took part up to and
including the battle Of Gettysburg
During the terrible artillery duel Of the
second day he was wounded four times
simultaneously, by the explosion of a
shell. Mr.. Booker never recovered en-
tirely from his wounds, and up 70 the
time Of his death required to use
crutches in walking.
For twenty years after the close of
the unpleasantness. Mr.. Booker was
engaged in agricultural and mercantile
pursuits Meanwhile on January -.
1871, becoming united in marriage to
Miss Laura Winder Garrett, daughter
Of Hon. Richard F.. Garrett She. with
1ve children, survive the 4,eceas ed
Mr.. Booker was appointed postm;,st-
CT under C>ieveland's administration in
1885 and served until 1859. when he was
removed by a Republican President
When Cleveland was elected for the
second term MI. Booker was again APP
pointed postmaster at Fort Monroe,
which position he filled With credit to
himself and the party he represented.
During the time Of Mr.. Booker's first
administration as postmaster he fire.
Quently had his attention called to the
demand for another hotel at Old Point.
III 1889 he began the construction of
the Sherwood Hotel which has proven
n grand success under his great bust
ness eye. Tt is an excellent hosiery
and it's popularity has made Mr.. Book
er's name familiar to thousands Of peO-
pie who have enjoyed his hospitality.
The deceased was an honOred MEM
Der Of r. E. Lee Camp, Confederate
Veterans, and was popular with his
Old comrades, as we'll as with a wide
circle Of acquaintance
He was member OF Old st. Johns
Episcopal church. and was a man Of
unbounded lberality.
The funeral services will take place
Sunday afternoon from Old ST. Johns
church and the inter1nent will be in
the church yard.
Just before he died the deceased ex-
pressed a desire to be buried in his Con
federate uniform, and also requested
that the Confederate Camp attend his
obsequies as a body. This will be done.
Deceased is also survived by five
brothers ano two sisters.
WILL MEET MONDAY NIGHT
The Business Mems Association will
hold it's regular monthly meeting Mon
day night in its rooms in the Exchange
Building.