Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-02-14


Death OF GOVERNOR WELLS
Henry Horatio Wells, once military
aoysrnor OF Virginia aud for five years
S,stricl attorney for the District of
Columbia. died in Palmyra, N. Y,
Monday evening. The deceased was
horn in Rochester, N. Y, September
II 1923. He was educated for the law in
u,rmgan and in early manhood became
. member OF the Michigan Legislature.
H. entered the army in September.
1862. as colonel of the 26th Michigan
1Sa1try. and served until September,
1865 la February, 1868, he was made
nr,Vost marshal general OF the defenses
s,ntn of the Potomac river with head
CHARTERS in Alexandria, which position
"a beld until the Gloss of the war. 10
Nav. 1865, he received the brevet of
br,gadier general of volunteers, and,
ss.I1pg in Virginia in 1868-69, was
military COVE nor OF this State. He
VA the republican candidate for gov
amor in the latter year, but was de-
fea.ed by Gilbert G. Walker. On the
destination of President Lincoln he
t,,k charge of the investigation in
" sninglOn that resulted In the capture
NJ Inc couspirstors, and afterward he
VA associate counsel in the criminal
n-3csedlngs against ex. President JET.
f-rs0n Davis for treason. In 1901
he vas counsel with Henry A. Wise III
me Cahoon and Ellyson mayorality
case, during the trial OF which he was
almost fatally Injured by the falling OF
aea.lery, crowded with people, in the
C3Ditol at Richmond. In 1871-72 he
US United States attorney for the
eastern district of Virginia, and he then
removed to Washington, where, in
lS75-lSSO, he was United States attor-
new for the District of Columbia. Dur
.pe the war between the states, and
when Governor Wells was provost
marshal IN this city with headquarters
in the old fire insurance build
ing where Mr.. d. Il. Appich's
confectionery now stands, be wa
prominent figure hereabouts, and
soon became unpopular with most
natives for alleged radical ideas enter
tanned by him concerning military rule.
A. the close of hostilities, however,
hs retrieved himself in a measure by
q gratuitous act of friendship toward
a number Of Alexandrisns. On Christ
mas Day, 1865, it will be remembered,
mere was considerable rioting in Alex.
apdria between some ex-Confederates
snd negroes, brought on by the latt r,
VINO marched through the streets early
IN the morning with drums and tifes
playing Marching Through Georgia,
ana other war songs, and other
wise Insulting southern sympa
tbizers. Later in the day the Alex
andrlans proceeded to resent the insult
and during the conflict that fol
lowed a negro was killed. Inc
military authorities proceeded t(
arrest all white persons engaged
10 the disturbance and soon arranged
tnem before the United States Court
Governor Wells had in the meantime
mad been superseded as provost marsha
and he immediately offered his service
gratis as counsel for the Alexandrians
He worked faithfully in their defense
succeeded in clearing some of the &C
cused, but others we're convicted anC
sent to FoIt Warren, but soon pardon
cd. Next year in conjunction witt
Messrs. Duncan and Quigly Gov. Well
succeeded in getting the government t.
reiOquish the aqueduct bridge, ant
these three gentlemen having leaae'
the old Alexandria canal soon opene'
it TO traffic, thus restoring to this CIT,
her coal trade. After having been de
fested for governor OF the State by Gil
bert g. Walker, the deceased remove
from this city to Washington.