The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-08
WELL KNOWN CITIZEN GONE.
Mr.. John T.. Plat Passed Away
Was 9 Native of ennsyIvanfa and
Came tn Wilmington Before the
Wharf.-The Remains Were Laid to
Rest I'm OakdaIe.

The numerous frienIs and acquaint-
Wilmington's old and highly esteemed
citizens. are grieved TO know that he
has departed this life. After a year.
suffering with a complication Of dis
eases. he passed away at his residence
COG Grace street, at 9:1n o'clock Friday
night. His wasting away for many
months had prepared mis- family for the
dread summons but when ii came they
were overwhelmed with grief. In their
sorrow, hundreds OF friends deeply SYM
pathiZe with them.
Mr.. John Thomas Flat was born in
Pottsville, Pa, June Is, 1888. and was
SO years OF age at his last birthday.
He came to Wilmington in 1853, and at
the outbreak of the evil war he cast in
his lot with the confederacy. He was
an engineer in the blockade service,
and served IN the steamers Owl, Dee,
and others. On different steamers he
ran past the blockade heet and made
three successful trips TO Europe and
three to Nassau.
When Mr.. Plat first came to VIII
mington he got employment N the iron
foundry and machine shops of Hart &
Bailey. After the war he was for a while
chief engineer Of the steamboat line OF
Worth & Worth etwee Wilmington
and Fayetteville, the principal boa Of
the line being the steamer Governor
Worth. After two years he rec eived
his position at Hart 6 Bailey's, subse-
uently called the Wilmington Iron
Works, and was foreman OF the ma
chinery department for about 40 years.
He remained at his pest of duty until
his health got so bad that he stopped
work on the 3rd of July last year. Since
hen he has fingered at his home, and
though at times he appeared to be bet
ter, he constantly declined till death re-
lieved his sufferings.
Mr.. Plat leaves to mour his death
a devoted wife and eight children
Messrs. Phillip F. Plat, Robert c. Platt,
John E. Plat, Mrs. L. J.. Hoskins, Mrs.
r. E. Bizzell and Mrs. Preston G.
White. Of this city; Mr.. Thomas H.
Platt. Of New York city, and Lieuten-
ant w. P. Plat. of the United States
army, now stationed at st. Lake City,
Utah. He leaves four sisters-Mrs.
Margaret Brennan. of st. Louis, Mo-,
Mrs. Emma Stein, of Birmingham, Ala,
Mrs. James Farrar, Of BlOckton, Ala,
and Mrs. W. Hoskins, Of Aldrich, Ala,
He was the last of sevaral brothers, his
eldest brother, Mr.. Edward Plat, hav-
ing died three weeks s. at New Phil
adelphia, Pa.
Mr.. E. P. Bailey, of the Wilmington
Iron Works, in OF Mr.. Platt
yesterday, said he was one Of the most
efficient, Industrious and faithful men
he ever saw. He was d thorough ma
chinist and knew how TO control men,
and during his forty years service he
gave the most unexceptionable salts
faction to the succeeding proprietors of
the establishment.
The funeral tool place yesterday af-
rnoon at 5 o'clock at the family resi-
dence and was attended by many
friends. The services we're conducted
by the Rev. Calvin S. Blackwell. D. D.,
after which h remains were inferred
in Oakdale cemetery. AS a mark of
respect to his memory the Wilmington
Iron Works were closed yesterday and
the employees, thirty in number, includ-
ing ten colored men who had worked
funeral in a body and marched in front
of the cortege to the cemtery. At tn
grave they stood with open ranks while
the casket was borne through to the
grave.
DR.. Blackwell concluded the solemn
services at the grave, and the hymns
there, as we'll as 1T the residence. were
sung by Mrs. F. A. Muse. Miss Anne
Taylor. and Messrs. Wallace H. Alder
man and w. l.. Willitord.
The grave was covered with hand
some floral designs, including one sent
by the Wilmington iron Works and
bearing the initials wv. I. W." The
pallbearers were Messrs. E. p. Bailey,
John H. Sweeney, Wallace H. Alder
man, James H. Taylor, William Nestle
and S. G. Hall.