The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-09
A UNIQUE
LIFE ENDED
Martin Meredith Lipscomb
Died Yesterday.
WAS EIGHTY YEARS OLD
Was Widely Known at one Tine--Three
Times City sergeant-The Man
Who Removed Dahlgren's
Body.
WAS EIGHTY YEARS OLD

| Richmond. died at his home No. 102 Res
ervolr Street, early yesterday morning.
after brief illness.
The funeral will take place at Calvary
| Baptist Church. of which Captain Lips
| COMB was member, at s o'clock this
| afternoon. and the interment will he
made In Riverview Cemetery.
| The matter OF pall-bearers has not vet
| been definitely arranged, though It Is
| probable that committee from the
lSlues Association. of which Captain
Lipscomb was perhaps the oldest mem-
Ter, will act in this capacity. igs
captain Lipscombs death was the re-
suit OF a general breakdown, he having
been over eighty years of age, though
1t was probably FASTENED by an accident
to his knee. incurred in fall, which
caused him great suffering. DR.. 2, i.
Moseley attended Captain Lipscomb In
his last Illness, and the physician an
nounced several days ago that the on
feebled condition of his patients consti.
tuition would not permit him to recover.
AN INTERESTING LIFE. tatiu
Martin Meredith Iipscomb was eighty
years OF age on tho 9Th Of last March,
and was one of the most interesting and
unique characters who ever lived In this
city. He was a native Of Richmond,
and was born In the western portion Of
the city Chen the country, near Main
and Beech Streets. He was of humble,
but honest and highly regarded parent
age, who had removed here from, King
William county. ts.l s ~,
Mr.. Lipscomb when a youth, learned
the trade of brick mason, and followed
1t until later In life, when he became q
contractor in the same business.
About twenty-five years ago he mar
ried Mrs Ward. OF this city. who lived
but short time. About ten years later
he married Miss Mamie S. Atkinson
also Of Richmond, and she survives him.
There were no children by either mar
rage, though Mr.. Lipscomb was fond Of
young people, and always kept some OF
his young relatives at his home. X.
He was a man to whose life there was
a public side which brlstled throughout
with human interest, so entirely unique
were some Of the Incidents therein.
military aspirations, and to this end he
Joined local volunteer company.
WAS MADE CAPTAIN.
Later on he was made captain of tho
Mechanics Guard. and served ION many
public occasions in this capacity. He be-
came a member of the Richmond Blues
when a young man. and was perhaps the
Oldest member Of the organization Mt the
time OF his death. 81 4f
Captain Lipscomb had but few near
relatives. There was only one brother
and he went to Galveston years ago, and
is thought to have been lost in the re-
cent disaster In that city.
Long before the Civil War Captain
Lipscomb became interested in politics.
and. was a, great admirer and supporter
of the late John Minor Bolts. In 1850
he was himself candidate for public
office as he was in many subsequent con-
tests, and was elected to the position
Of City Sergeant over the incumbent, Mr..
John Milton Ferguson, who WAS a gem
tlernan of the old school. The battle was
one Of the most unique In the history Of
the city, and at first the candidacy Of
Captain I.ipscomb was regarded in n
spirit of levIty. When the votes We're
counted. however, he had won out. and
was twice reelected to tho Office. When
a candidate the fourth time he was de-
feated and taking the result philoso-
phically. as he took all Of the ups and
downs OF life, Captain Lipscomb de-
hatchet high, but 1t failed to stick"
WAS A GOOD OFFICER.
Captain Lipscomb made an excellent
city officer. and he was each time chosen,
over strong opposition. Tho term OF
office was then for only one year. 80 he
served in all only three years.
On great many subsequent occasions,
mostly dIIeT tHe war. SttpIall LlpSCoIlD
aspired 10 public office, though he was
never elected. He was several times a
candidate for Congress-. and made
number of unsuccessful efforts to regain
his old Office Of City Sergeant. n35lfs,t
AS a speaker. Captain Iipsconb's style
was altogether unique and original. and
he never failed to draw crowd. An
other one of his long suits" In political
campaigns was to Issue lengthy addresses
through thp to tho vOtnra
declaring his position on public ques-
tons, and appealing to them to support
hia claims ~
Captain Lipscomb was originally a
Union sympathizer. and was therefore
opposed to tho war between the States.
When the struggle carneSon. he ala not
enter the field, but, was n contractor for
the burial of the Confederate and Fede-
raj soldiers. And 1t Is In this connection.
that one of the most interesting Incl
dents Of his lifo took place,
DISTNTERREo DAHLGRTN.
Colonel TJlrlch Dahlgren, Federal off,
Ger In command of n raiding party, which
killed In King William county and
brought here for burial. Captain Lips
comb took charge Of the body, and twas
Inferred in lakewood Cemetery Colonel
Dahlgren was a son OF the Admiral who
was anxious to have tho formers body
rcstored tn the family. lie wrote TO
President Davis, sending 500 to cover
expenses. and asking that the remains
be sent TO their home In Pennsylvania.
Upon inspection II was found that the
body had been disinterred, 50 Mr.. Davis
could NOT comply with tho request.
Later on 1t was found that on account
OF the snimosIty felt toward Dahlgren
by gollthern people, sbme Union sympa-
ihizers, led by Captain Llpscomb and
Aiss Elizabeth Van Lew. had had the
body dIsir'erred and rebnricd by n sas-
eafraa bush at Old Hungary. which Is
nov Laurel. little station Just NORTH OF
Richmond on tho Richmond. T'redercks-
burg and Potomac Railroad, Tho whole
thing was planned by Captain Lnscomb,
and then lie personally helped 10 execute
n rnost HuccessfnlIy, on the night OF
april ~, 1864, Captain Lpscomb Ger
man named I,oliman. and aeveral others,
went 10 lakewood and dislnterred tho
body N Joablgrcn. brought It to a house
IN Chelsea nm. and the next day placed
n IN n metallic coffin, IT was then driven
u Hungary BY Iohman. whom Captain
J.itScmnb lnh,rnetcd to cover tho coffin
glib fruit trees 10 keep down susp'cion.
After tii. war tic body was taken to