Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-08
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touching the waters edge. and shipping
many seas. as the saying Is. and such d
staggering as we experienced In our at
tempt to walk the deck was both iudi-
crous and dangerous.
After six weeks stay in the harbor OF
Cadiz the repairing or replacing OF the
machinery was accomplished. She steam
ed off to Gibraltar on her way to the
Mediterranean Sea. There Is nothing IN
this communication Of particular interest,
but in this new naval drama the En-
sign" the San Jacinto Will be placed IN
miniature before the spectators. L thought
what / would tell you of what 1 knew
about her would not be entirely devoid OF
interest to you.
Oh, the little warllke within
The well-reeved guns, the busy-humming
din
while the CLASSY deck, without stain.
upon which the lone chieftian majestic
stalks-with strict restraint. which,
broken. ever balks conquest and fame.
WAS A FINE READING CLERK.
Colonel Bigger was a fine reading clerk.
He called the rolls of the House as no
other man could. A writer In the FREEZER
icksburg Star few years ago thus de-
scribed Colonel Bigger's manner OF read
ing:
age does not wither nor custom stale
the infinite variety of gestures, accents
witticisms. tones, appearances. ana ac-
lions of the great G. II. ID. 0he Clerk or
the House of Delegates) at Richmond,
Va. This son of old Spotsylvania county
bears lightly the burdens Of many years,
and cares OF many thousands of bills,
Joint resolutions. and the thousands OF
other pieces of incipient legislation, wise
| and otherwise of incalculable help 10 al
members. and having solved knotty pro-
| blems for years and years, Ii Is said that
j. Bell Bigger's equal as parHamenta-
| rian has never yet seen the nght, GER
| tainly not that of Virginia's legislative
| halls And that voice and manner, 100.
| Drawing his feet OF clerical nahhoou
up until his long Prince Albert hangs In
graceful folds around an active and wiry
body. this ancient and honorable servant
TO the Old Dominion, the mother OF pres
idents and statesmen, grips bill around
| the middle of the paper, and In voice
| sweet and low commences to murmur MS
/ musical note apprising the House OF
! what measure IL will then consider. BUT
| first appearances are very often decep-
| tive. and before many words have been
uttered the gentle rhythmic monotone mas
| changed TO a cross between the shrleh
| Of q locomotives whistle and the pass
a
awful sound surging around the walls or
| the House. seeking in vain for an exit,
until some member, in sheer desperation
moves that we dispense with reading the
| blu This motion has the effect OF
steam-brake, for instantly the awIui
| sound ceases and the erstwhiie formida-
| ble-looking Clerk glares over MS glasses
| for a moment at the member making the
motion, as If to say, why dldnt you
make II sooner and then resumes MS
bland and childlike. smile
Few men could equal, and none sur
mass. this venerable Clerks services 10
| the State. and when he is gathered to
his fathers-may his years yet be long
MANY will be the traditions around the
| Capitol of the life and deeds Of j. Bel
| Bigger"
Colonel Bigger was devoted 10 the Blues.
He never missed a meeting OF the
association if it was possible lor MIN
TO be present. He was for many years
vice-president of the association, ana
upon the death of Major Ben Richardson
he succeeded to the presidency. The Net-
eran Blues meet this evening at O'CLOCK
to pay a tribute to the memory Oh one
whom they loved as he loved them.
COLONEL BIGGER'S FAMILY.
Colonel Bigger's wife. who sur sur
wives him. WAS was coI miss Of H"''f Essex
Youngest daughter of the late samuel
Muse. who served in the war OF lelZ Win
the rank of major. Twelve chldren Dless-
ed the union, two of whom nave
been called to their eternal "a hV {n,Sr
There are living, six daughters ana iour
sons. The former are Mrs. Hay l.
Thornton Mrs. F. II. Wyatt, or Balti-
more. and Misses Lucy a., Peggy D,
Mary A., and Sallie Meredith Bigger. Inc
sons are Messrs. Thomas n, secre Iot.,
of the Department oftAgriculture; John
b., with Purcell, Ladd 4 Co.. samuel W.,
engaged in the hotel business in WASH
ingtOn. and Hunter Mcclure. who IS with
the Atlantic Coast-Line, at Rocky MOUNT
Deceased was the son of the late Colo
mel Thomas b. and Elizabeth Meredith
Bigger The former was born In Frlnce
Edward county, Va, and the iatter III
New Kent county Va. She was MISS
Russell. a relative of Lord John Russell.
of England. In 1872 his father was at the
seige of Fort Meigs. having enlisted IN
Captain McRae's company, known as me
Petersburg Volunteers, which company
marched from Richmond city 70 Detroit,
Mich. He declined promotion in the
army. but shared all the fortunes or the
company which General William Hdr-
rison commended for their conduct on me
field. He was once captain OF the hlsn.
mond Light Infantry Blues, one 81 the
Oldest companies in the country. IN
1874 he was appointed postmaster OF Tue
city of Richmond and continued IN that
office more than eighteen years. In 1865
he served as a member OF the House OF
Delegates from Richmond city. He died
in 1880. and was buried with military and
Masonic honors.
Colonel Bigger was one of thirteen chill
dren of whom. but five survive MN.
These are Colonel Charles i. Bigger,
commandment of Lee Camp Soldiers
Home; Mrs. b. +. Ladd, of this city; Miss
Mary Bigger; Mrs. Charles IL. Mansen,
of Columbia S. c.; Mrs. John w. jack
son, OF Columbia, Fluvanna county.
HE WAS A GENTLEMAN.
Colonel Bigger was a gentleman HIS
every action his speech, indicated IL. a
biocrapher might subject his character
10 searching analysis, and label edcn
quality. The everyday reader would not
know what was meant. But the every =
day man, who came into the presence vi
John Bell Bigger knew in moment
that he stood before gentleman Oh ola
Virginia Gentle, tender. modest, kindly,
frank, heightened he merlted the honor
and esteem of his feilowmen, and these
he received in fullest measure.
He leaves vacancy 1t will be DIM
cult 10 fill. 1t is useless TO hope that
any man who comes after him will at
once take up the duties of the office and
discharge them as well as his veteran
nredecessor For years TO come the men
who make Nirginia's laws, Will love 10
tell of the days when John Bell Bigger
was al the recording desk in the House or
delegates, and pay TO his memory the tri-
bute which good men ever yield to the