Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-21
SUFFOLK.
Death of Hon. John {. Booker,
of The Herald.
A Sketch of His Useful oaroer-Propo.cd
Extension of tho suffolk and Carolina
Raiiroad-FootbaII.
Especial to Virgin,an-Pilot.)

Suffolk. Va, Nov. 2O.-Hon. John Ed
ward Booker, owner and editor of the
Suffolk Herald, former president OF the
Virginia Press Association, and for six
years, beginning in 1893, Nansemond's
representative in the lower house of
Virginia's General Assembly, is dead,
aged So years.
The end came at 5:25 O'Clock this af-
ternoon as the result of Il sudden stroke
OF paralysis, brought on by cerebral
nemorrhage, or rupture of an artery
bearing on the brain. The paralysis
affected the right side of the body.
THE COMMUNITY SHOCKED.
The news of the death came as q
shock to relatives and friends, for Mr..
Booker was n most lovable man and
we'll liked. This morning he was in
excellent spirits and joked with a bank
clerk q few minutes before the stroke.
Last night MIR. Booker felt musical and
seemingly enjoyed playing the violin
to an accompaniment of a daughter,
Mrs. Bennett. on the piano.
THE LAST FINANCIAL TRANS
ACTION.
About noontimc to-day Mr.. Booker
attended to some business in a bank
and afterward walked into DIR. l.. d.
Phillips office. where he complained of
feeling bad. DR.. Phillips thought that
ipooNcI Ilttu IL UTenlOnlIlOn OIL MS
tate. for there weue tears in the eyes
which usually bore n greeting smile.
Dr. Phillips administered dose of
medicine. Mr.. Booker was attacked
with vomiting and soon sank into
comatose state. from which he never
rallied. He was taken to his home, at
No. is Saratoga street, where DIR. ]. T..
Phillips did all that was possible with
out avail.
AROUND THE DEATH BED.
Those around the bedside ut the last
were Mrs. Booker. Mrs. Bennett, Miss
Booker. Captain and Mrs. Conner. Mr..
and Mrs. ELAN, Mr.. and Mrs. w. G.
Elan.
The funeral will take place at II
o'clock Thursday morning from the
Baptist Church, of which the deceased
was n member. Rev. II. A. Bagby. of
Richmond. n former pastor. has been
asked by wire to conduct the services.
The deceased is survived by a widow.
who was Miss Fannie NJ. Barnes, of
Charlotte county. Va; two daughters,
Mrs +. y. Bennett and Miss Elizabeth
5. Booker, and one son Clarence.
There are five brothers and one mar
ried sister in Texas. The deceased
was the second son, the daughter be-
ing the eldest.
HIS EARLY LIFE.
Mr.. Booker was born May f. 1S4S, in
Prince Edward county. Va. He moved
to Charlotte county when quite young,
and was elected a commissioner of reve-
nue. soon after he was u years old. In
1876 he came to Suffolk, and for n time
was engaged in running the Washinr-
ton Hotel with the late Captain Robert
s. ELAN. He soon engaged with the
Suffolk Herald, of which ne has been
the owner for many years. and which
he conducted with considerable sue
cess.
The deceased served with credit in
the Legislature for six years. He was
formerly president of the Virginia
Press Association, and also member
of the Grand Lodge 4. O. u. w. He
belonged TO the Blue Lodge and Royal
Arch Masons. knights of Pythias and
Royal Arcanum.
His life was insured for s7,6OO-s3, 900
in Royal -ircanum, $4,000 in the An
cient Order of United Workmen. 81, 600
in the Northwestern and $500 paid-up
insurance in Mutual Life
Mr.. Booker has for several years
been chairman of the Nansemond
County Democratic Executive Com
mittee.
The deceased was a true friend,
pleasant companion. q loyal progress
sive citizen. loving husband and
lutheran honorable man. Suffolk
people are grieved to lose him.
PROPOSED RAILROAD EXTENSION
Suffolk is to have direct railroad con-
nection with lIdenton, n. G.. That Is
now assured by the management the
Suffolk and Carolina railroad The
railroad will have begun grading before
the expiration of this week. The sur
vey has been completed and other pre-
liminary steps have been taken.
The extension will begin at Ryland
Station. about four miles from the pres
ent terminus at Montrose. The dis
lance from there to IIdenton. accord
ing to the survey, is 17.2 miles. The
proposed track is expected to be ready
for through trains by next summer.
y mild winter would expedite matters
The country is comparatively level.
The most expensive bridge will be
some seventy feet in length.
The extension will be welcomed by
Suffolk business men. inasmuch as it
Will open large section of country,
and will give Suffolk merchants n
chance to compete with those in Nor
folk for Edenton business.
The new road will put Edenton fifty
one miles from here. The nearest rail
route from there to Suffolk at present
Is over ninety miles. The change will
also be helpful to Edenton business
men. That is on an estuary of Abe
marie Sound and Is great fish mar
ket.
Tho Suffolk and Carolina by the pro-
posed extension will become II competi-
tor of the Norfolk and Southern road
to some extent. AS the longest route