Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-02
HAMPTON.
Impressive and Beautiful Funeral
of Mr.. James S. Darling.
An Incident Tint Revealed tho Nobility of
Characteristic Forthcoming Fair of the
knights of Pythias.
Especial to vlrglnian- Pilot,

Especial to Vlrginian-Pilo
Hampton. Va. May 1.-The funeral
of Mr.. James S. Darling, which took
place at half mast o'clock this after
| noon. was the most impressive event Of
sorrow ever witnessed in this town.
1t was not an affair of pomp, a display
Of wealth, but, like the life of the man
who had finished his course. it was
beautiful in its simplicity, and inspired
the noblest emotions in the minds and
hearts of those who looked upon it.
The hundreds of people who filled the
pews and aisles OF old st. Johns were
there only because they loved the man
whose body was soon to be laid at rest
afftf- tears bore eloquent teSti-
mony to their affection for him.
The remains were attended from the
residence. on Victoria avenue, to the
church by many carriages. Floral en-
blems of affection, the prettiest that
deft fingers were capable of weaving,
covered the handsome casket. upon the
lid of which a beautifully engraved
plate, the work of Dr. Charles NJ. Cary
told in old English characters the date
of Mr.. Darling's birth, his age and the
date of his death. AS the pall-bearers
bore the body from the hearse to the
church the heads Of the people who
lined the way were uncovered. Here
and there in the throng Confederate
veteran and a gray-haired soldier from
the Home. standing side hv side, turned
their faces from the solemn cortege and
looked another way. hoping to conceal
the tears that trlckled down their
cheeks.
II am the resurrection and the life"
So read the preacher. The words were
followed by sobs and throughout the
large congregation scores of people
pressed handkcrchefs to their eyes.
The service then went on, the Rev. C.
Il. Bryan. rector of St. Johns, and the
Rev ]. ]. Gravitt. of Holy Trinity
Church. Richmond, conducting 1t. The
words of the good men, as they briefly
| rehearsed Mr.. Darling's career. touched
every heart. The music was tenderly
impressive. The ceremony at the grave
was that of the Episcopal Church.
The active pail bearers We're Messrs
George Holston, V. l.. Taylor. c. IL.
I Hewins. Thomas Forsythe, Fred Ten
mis-, Capt. George Wray, Thomas Mum
son and w. S. Hudglns.
Nessrs. H. L. Schmelz, Albert Howe,
| Daniel Cock. Jacob Heffelinger. A. S.
Segar. C. e. Hewins. John w. Boyen-
| ton. Warren Hall. Thomas Tabb, ~.
| Raynor. James McNIenamin, George
Schcrmerhorn. George A. Schmelz. w
| T. DauEherty, r. II. Richardson and
honorary pall-bearers.
SALE OF SMITHlaRS ESTATE.
Among the many interesting stories
which have been heard concerning MIR.
| Darling since the announcement of his
death last Saturday morning. the fol-
lowing, which is abundnntly vouched
| for. serves to illustrate the exalted
! sense of Justice which characterized his
business transactions.
When the estate of his deceased part
ner, Mr. William Smithers, was offered
| for sale at public auction, Mr. Darling,
standing with his hands behind him,
occupied a position on the edge of the
crowd that had gathered in front OF the
| courthouse. There were two interests
| to be disposed of-AIr. Smithers' share
in the oyster beds on Hampton bar and
his half of the fish factory property.
The success of the latter enterprise had
been convincingly demonstrated. and
| there was no question as to it's value
but the sharps, when asked what they
would be willing to pay for the oyster
franchise. sagely shook their heads and
said, mot much" Some of the people
| who attended the sale predicted that
the entire estate would bring $4,000
| Others said $4,000. and n half dozen or
so were bold enough to venture the
prophecy that the two interests would
sell for $4,000. but not L cent above that
| amount.
! Mr.. Darling listened carefully to the
auctioneer's announcement but said
not IL word. Then. advancing far
enough to make himself distinctly I'M
| derstood without attracting the atten-
| ton OF the crowd. he submitted his bid
| for the Smithers interest in the oyster
| beds. The astonishmcnt of the crier
was so marked that the people noticed
| It, He attempted to proceed but the
| effort brought forth only n tumble of
| words. and after battling with astonish-
rent for five minutes. he gave I'D and
announced to his audience that Mr..
james S. Darling had bought the prop
erty for $4,000. Mr.. Smithers' interest
in the fish factory sold for about the
| same sum, Mr.. Darling becoming the
| purchaser. Thus he paid $50, 900 for the
property of his late partner. although
the value placed upon 1t by experts was
but $4,000.
PREPARING FOR A FAIR.
An event which Is being looked for
ward to with much interest Is the fair
| which the knights of Pythias are pre-
pairing to hold about the 2lst of this
month. 1t will take place in the audi
| torium of the new castle, which has
| just been completed. and which is the
| handsomest building in the town. a
| committee consisting of Messrs. V. p.
| Holt, John Weymouth. James Mitchell
! G. NJ. Richter and w. ]. Boone. has the
matter in charge. a number OF the
leading ladies OF the town have taken
hold FOR tho nurnoSe of aiding the con,