Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-04
AN ASTUTE MALONE LEADER.
an Eccentric Louisa County ccntcnarian
Hides Boards to Make His Own Coffin :
Democratic Leaders Hesitate to Become
81 Candidates For Constitutional conven-
lion Governor onto Chicago Internal
Revenue Collector Screen Wagon Ser
vico-Dr. Larerty's Daughter Dead.
fsnecIal 10 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

one of the most widely known men in
the State ended this morning, when
Col. John r. Popham fell dead on Main
street as the result of a hemorrhage.
Colonel Popham had been in ill-health
Tor some time and his heart had been
seriously affected.
Colonel Popham was not a colonel"
though he had been addressed by that
title for many years. He first attracted
4 attention during the Malone regime,
he being one of that aStute leaders
most trusted adherents.
AS A JOURNALIST.
For many years he was news
paper correspondent in Washington,
and probably had more intimate ac-
Quaintance with public men than any
other He was perfect encyclopaedia
of information on almost every sub
ject, and had a most retentive memory.
In the course of his newspaper career
he was often engaged by those who
had bills they wished pushed through
Congress. He also did some work of
that nature in the Vrginir legislature.
HIS FAMILY.
He leaves two sons one in South
America, the other i'll Baltimore. and
daughter, who is in Culpeper county.
His funeral takes place tomorrow al
ternoon.
AN ECCENTRIC CENTENARIAN.
Some time ago, as noted at the time
in the Virginian-Pilot, Mr.. Joseph
Sims, an aged and wealthy miser of
Louisa county, had the misfortune to
have stolen some boards which he had
stored in his barn fifty years before 10
have his coffin made from. He had
! stipulated in his will that the boards
should be used and that the carpenter
who made the casket should receive
+ only So for his work.
stftlrrhpt o1d rantlerna who according
y to authentic information, l02 years OF
age. has just recovered from a severe
attack, and With his own hands has
sawed another supply of boards for his
coffin.
In order that these may not he
stolen, he has hidden them between the
Z mattresses OF his bed
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS HESITATE
The Democratic leaders in various
sections are hcsitatinS about Offering
themselves as candidates for the con-
stitutional convention.
a POLITICAL CEMETERY.
They regard the chances of II man
who undertakes to change the organic
law OF the State as good for a political
grave, since some of the changes are
Utmost certain to be unpopular at first
In this season seems more than
likely that the crop of aspirants for
the honor from among the ranks of
the politicians will not be rs large as
was expected.
A GOOD THING.
.'rhis will be good thing" said a
Democrat to-day. 1T will insure get
ing men Who will DO their duty. Since
they have no political aspiration the
Consequences will not disturb them"
GOVERNOR TYLER OFF.
Governor Tyler left ut noon to- day
via Washington for Chicago, where he
will spend probably II week on private
business lie was undecided when he
left whether he will return here in time
Z 10 go to Washington with the military
to attend the celebration of the l00th
anniversary of the establishment or The
seat of government or whether he will
join the party in the capital city on
December 18th.
INTERNAL REVENUE COLLECTOR
From what can be learned here. there
+ is little doubt that the Headquarters of
the internal revenue department will
lie removed to Richmond. President
Morris, of the chamber of commerce,
I has taken the matter up with the Off
GERS OF that body. and they will use
their best efforts to accomplish the de-
sired end.
The new collector will not be ap-
pointed for Colonel Brady's unexpired
term. There Is no ''uneXpired term"
The collector is named for no term, but
is subject to removal by the President
at any time.
SCREEN SERVICE.
Bids for the screen-waeon service in
+ Richmond and for all star routes in
this state will be opened at the post
office department in Washington to-
morrow.
According to a late order issued by
the department, the contractors must
all reside on or contiguous to their
routes. In other words, St Louis;
firm now has the contract for carrying
the mails from and TO the depots In
y Richmond. Only the bids of Richmond
q people will be considered. Ii is under
stood that six or seven persons have
bid for the Richmond contract.
IT. r. HAYWOOD DEAD.
Mr.. Il. II. Haywood died at 7:25
o'clock this morning at the Retreat for
the Sick. lie was quite well known in
Richmond and Virginia, end his death
will he mourned by q large circle OF
= friends.
MIR. Haywood was seventy three
n years OF age. He was native OF Cilou-
cester. but up 10 his illness, about six
months ago, was engaged In business
s. in Caroline county. He was brought
4 here a few days ago and taken TO the
8 Retreat for treatment.
Mr.. Haywood leaves three children
Z as follows: Mrs. r; l.. Campbell, MIR
q. iI3. l.. Haywood. of Newport News, and
Mr. Coleman Haywood. of West Vir-
The remains viii be taken at -
~ o. clock tomorrow to Caroline, where the
funeral Will take place.
Tho SUPREME COURT.
THE foitoyine q were the procoadip,,e