The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-20
PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY.
DEATH OF FORMER MAYOR
JAMES WILSON.
He was of Northern Birth Bat was
Identified with wiimington for
Fifty lears-He Srexed As Mayor
and as n Member of the LeEi.ln-
ture-His Wealth Estimated at
over 81. q q

The Messenger chronicles with regret
the death OF the Hon. James Wilson.
which occurred yesterday morning at
the boarding house OF Airs. Sall.e Green
abaum, on Postoffce avenue. after a
brief but acute attack OF cerebritis.
Mr.. Wilson was born in New York
and was 80 years OF age. He was never
married but leaves n sister. Mrs. T. ].
Napier, OF Brooklyn, y. Y. n several
nieces in the north. Mrs. Charlotte Nc
Leish. a niece who resides in Washing
ton, arrived here yesterday n half hour
after her uncle's death.
Mr.. Wilson was delicate In his youth
and being p~redisposel TO pulmonary
trouble came to Wilmington while quite
young. For fifty years he has beer
closely identified with cur city. most OF
the time being a resident and engaging
in business here. He returned to New
YORK several years Is TO reside but
every year came back to Wilmington
and spent several months for his heaith
and TO look after his extensive real es-
tate interests here. He was very much
attached to Wilmington n had "A large
number Of friends here who sincerely
regret his death.
During the civil war Mr.. Wilson was
III the hardware n saddlery business
In Wilmington. and made a snug for
tune out of contracts with the confed-
crate government, principally contract
Ing for cavalry saddles and brides,
cartridge boxes. belts. pistol holsters,
etc. After the close OF the war he sold
his business to Mr.. y. Jacob, the pres
ent head OF the n. jacob Hardware
Company.
About 1872. Mr.. Wilson was elected
mayor OF Wilmington by the republi-
cans and subsequently he was sent for
two terms to the house Of representa-
tives by that party. After selling out
his business he invested largely In real
estate and owned about $50, 900 worth of
real estate here, consisting mainly OF
small houses and lots. AT one time he
was more extensively Interested here
but he closed out some OF his interests
and invested largely in real estate In
New York city. Chicago and Pueblo
City, Colorado. He recently sold HIS
New York property and retained his
interests in Chicago. Pueblo n VIII
mington. His estate is estimated at a
million or more dollars. but as he was q
very retricent nan no one knows ex-
actly what his interests We're. His
property in Pueblo alone paid him an
annua income OF $4,000 n year.
The deceased was a man OF retiring
disposition. but he had some close
friends who speak OF him as a man Of
the most impeachable integrity and
kindness OF heart. He was a man OF
fine judgment and those WHO knew him
intimately say he was a financier OF
more than ordinary ability.
The remains were taken to New York
for interment and left here last evening
at Z o'clock accompanied by Mrs. Nc
Leish. At $50 p. m. before the caskei
was taken TO the depot. services were
held at Mrs. Grecnabaum's and were
conducted by the Rev. A. y. Mcclure.
pastor OF st. Andrews Presbyterian
church. There was a gooily attendance
and the remains were accompanied to
the depot by quite n number of friends.
Those who acted as pail bearers were
as follows:
Honorary-Former Mayor s. H. Fish
biate, former Mayor W N. Harrfss. Dr..
W. J. II. Bellamy and d. Thos. s. Bur
bank.
Active-Nessrs. 8. p. Collier. J. c
Morrison. John F. Carroll. T. o. Bunt-
ing. Marsden Beliamy and r. c. Ran
kin