The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-26
Death of a Good <fIiZen

Mr.. Charles II. Gamer, one of Will
mington's highly esteemed and best
citizens, passed away yesterday norm
ing at 11:30 O'Clock at his home, No.
S07 North Fourth street. The deceas-
ed had been in bad health for some
time but has only been confined to his
room for a few weeks.
Mr.. Gamer was born at Waldorf,
Germany, April 4, 1841, and was in the
59th year of his age. He emigrated
from Germany in 1856, when 10 years
of age, and came direct to Wilmington
on the German bark Saranac. Among
his fellow passengers were our towns
man, Mr.. Henry Render, and the late
Mr.. .Luhr Vollers, and several German
ladies of our city. Others of the party
have passed away. Mr.. Gamer, soon
after he came to Wilmington, was en-
ployed by Mr.. John G.. Bauman, who
then conducted a large wholesale gro
Gerry establishment in our city. He was
employed by Mr.. Bauman for eleven
years.
At the breaking out of the war. Mr..
Gamer espoused the cause of his adopt
ed country and entered the Confederate
service as a member of the German
volunteers, being a lieutenant. Later
he enlisted in the cavalry service and
was a private of Captain Towards
troop until the captain was killed. He
was then transferred to the sword fac
tory of the Confederate government at
Wilmington.
Since the war Mr.. Gamer has been
engaged in mercantile business and for
many years has conducted a confection-
cry and bakery on North Fourth street,
in that portion of the city called
'~Brooklyn." He was a man Of staunch
integrity and has always had the con-
fdence OF our entire community. He
was a loyal North Carolinian and a
/ true Democrat, and has held several
positions of trust in the city. He has
served one or more terms as a m
of the board of audit and finance, and
on the 10th of November last, when
the race trouble occurred and the city
administration so suddenly changed
hands and in such a manner as to be
termed a revolution" Mr.. Gamer was
selected by the citizens committee as
one of the aldermen from the First
ward, to succeed n Of the republican
aldermen of the Wright board. He
| served as alderman until the city cleo
ton, held last March, when the board
now serving was elected under the new
city charter. He has been a magistrate
several times, and was elected a magis-
trate by the last democratic leglsla-
ture.
For twenty years or more the de-
n mead hoe h00n a mpmh6r nf StOnpW2I
Lodge No. 1, Knights of Pythias, and
was a member of the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He
was ever a man of good deeds. and for
years has been a member Of ST. An
drew's Presbyterian church, having
been on of the deacons. He was a
member of Cape Fear Camp, NO. 2o4,
United Confederate Veterans, and that
organization. as well as the knlgnts OF
Pythias will attend the funeral, as Will
be seen by the notices given elsewhere.
Mr.. Gamer was married March 10,
1863, tt Miss Margaret Bapler, also a
native of Germany, and they had SIX
children born to them. The bereaved
wife and four of the children survive
him, viz: Mr.. George P. Gamer, OF
Portsmouth; Mrs. G. E. Hall, of Ports
mouth; Mrs. w. M.Avant, of Fayette-
vile, and Miss Mary Gamer, or this
city. ALI the me mbers of the family
were here when the end came. A wide
circle of frinds and acquaintance
deeply sympathize with them in their
sad bereavement.
The funeral will take place this al
ternoon at 4:30 o'clock from st. An
drews' Presbyterian church. The in
terment will be made at Oakdale GEM
etery.