The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-10-10
PROMINENT CITIZEN DEAD
Rufus B. Merchant Dies Suddenly
In Washington.
WAS SICK ONLY A FEW MINUTES
Body Brought To This City For lnterment-
Funeral.

Rufus cambridge Merchant, formerly
of this city, but for some years disburs-
ing officer of the Postofice Department
i'm Washington, died very suddenly at
his boarding place in that city Friday
nightat 1870 o clock, from heart trouble
and asthma.
The deceased had been in the best OF
health barring a few attacks OF asthma
and on the evening OF his death had eaten
a hearty supper and vas apparently IN
good spirits. After going up stairs 10
retire he was suddenly taken desperately
in. and at once realizing his condition
called to his landlady, n Miss Odell, ex-
claiming: 81 am dying. lie asked tnat
a doctor he summoned at once ana Dr.
John c. Simpson responded 10 the call m
five minutes, but the end had already
come when the physician reached the
bedside of his patient. Mr.. Merchant =
death came as a terrible shock to his
family. nearly all of whom reside IN tins
city. and to his numerous friends both
here and in Washington. He was at his
office on Friday, and his wife had heard
nothing of any illness or indisposltion.
HIS LIFE.
The deceased was born in Prince Will
liam county, Va, and was in his sixty
seventh year. When IA young man Mr..
Merchant learned the printers trade, 10
which he was TO devote the most OF an
usefu life. and served an apprenticeship
of five years in Philadelphia and New
York. When the Civil War began he
was living in Georgia, and at once Joined
Cobbs Georgia. Legion, Confederate
Cavalry service. When not with Cobb's
Legion he was serving under Hampton
i'm that most dangerous of all warfare
scouting-and as a scout made reputa-
ton for himself as q soldier who didn' I
know the meaning of the word fear.
After the war Mr.. Merchant came to
this city. He connected himself with the
Virginia Herald, and in 1866 was mar
ried To Miss Henrietta Mills, OF this city.
After the Herald went under Mr.. Mer-
chant for a brief time engaged in the
mercantile business, hut in 1869 he
founded the fredericksburg Star, owning
and editing that newspaper, which IL
still in existence here a. The DAILY star,
for twenty-siX years. Under Mr.. Mer-
chant the Star grew and prospered, and
he started the first local daily paper ever
sold on the streets of this city.
In 1898 he sold the Star To Messrs.
White and Embey and accepted gov
eminent position under the Cleveland adj
ministration. remaining in the govern
ment service up 70 the time OF his death.
Mr. Merchant during the years be liyed
in this city was one OF its leading clu-
zens. being actively engaged In It's ad-
vancement and prosperity. He was an
ardent Democrat and hard worker Tor
his party in his individual capacity ana
as q member OF the City Democratic TX
ecutive Committee. He was IA man with
n large heart and a free hand. and many
kindnesses are recorded above 10 the
credit OF Rufus Merchant. Cordial IN bis
manner. easily approachable ana uh,
usually sociable, he madeand maintained
the friendship of many persons, VINO
mourn his sudden death.
He leaves besides his wife the following
children: Mrs. Edgar W. Stearns, Mrs.
Henry Garnett. Mrs. Brawner Gates.
Misses Bertha and Maggie Merchant ana
Messrs. W. II. and Rufus Merchant. lie
was a member of Lodge No. !, \. r. X
A. NJ. of this city, and also oi the Chal-
ter and COmmandery. .o
The remains arrived here on the 500
train Saturday night in charge OF Mr..
W. Ii. Hurkamp, who went to Wash
ington as the representative OF the family
and were taken direct to the family resi-
depce on Amelia street. Thefuneral took
place at $3.50 O'Clock Monday afternoon
from the Methodist church. the solemn
services being conducted by Rev. }. II.
Light.
PalIbearers-Active: T. y. Brent,
Judge A. T. Embrey, W. II. Hurkamp'
], ". Masters, John NJ. Griffin, John {.
Melville. Honorary: Judge A. W. Wal
lace. Capt. c. Wistar Wallace, Hon. 1.
! p. Wallace, DR.. A. c. Doggett, W. d.
Scott, W. +. Bradley, Col +. ID. Cole
Isaac Hirsh. ~,
Interment in the City Cemetery. The
Masonic Lodge, OF which the deceased
was member, attended the funeral In
BODY and the burial was with Masonic
honOrs.