Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-02-02
CAPT. John N. 0Plt DEAD.
Well Known and Popular Citizen Passes
Away,

Away.
Oar readers will regret to hear of The
death OF Capt. John N. Opie, which oc
Cured Friday morning at his home il
this city, after An illness of several
months Capt. Opie was born at Mil
view, Jefferson county, now " est Vir-
ginia, March IA, 1S44. and was son OF
Col Heirome /. Opie He moved to
Augusta county in 1856 and lived for
II number OF years at selma" neal
town. AT the beginning Of the war
he Joined the West Augusta Guard,
but WAS later taken out of the army
and entered.a student at the V. N. l..
| where he only remained short time,
when be again entered the army, serv-
ing with the 18th cavalry which be-
came famous for it's valOr as the Clark
Cavalry. At First Manassas he WAS
presented with medal for gallantry,
| by his colonel, w. III II. Baylor. He
served with distinction in nearly all
| the important battles of the war. He
was wounded at Brandy Station and
came home. He organized the Home
Guards and was their captain. AT the
battle of Piedmont as captain of the
Home Guards of Staunton he covered
General Jones retreat and saved the
Confederates from humiliation. He
was taken prisoner along with the late
DR.. Carter Berk eley and sent to Elmira,
NY
After the civil war he married Miss
Belle Hartman. daughter of Colonel
NJ. &. Hartman.
Senator Opie graduated in law under
Professor John Minor at the Univer-
sity of Virginia and has practiced law
here since. In the early 70's he was
sent to the House of Delegates over A.
II. ii. Stuart, serving several conse-
cutive terms In 1879 be was married
in Baltimore to Miss Ida Walton
Fletcher, daughter Of Rev. Patterson
FIetsher.
In 1896 Capt. Opis was elected State
Senator from Augusta, and served his
constituents in brilliant manner I'M
til be waa defeated for re-nOmina-
ton. He was an avowed champion Of
the people against the corporations.
and was greatly beloved by his consti-
tuents, many of whom express their
heartfelt sympathy for bis children.
Capt. Opie was thoroughly manly
man, possessing courage of the high
est order and honesty which no temp
tation could shake. He was warm
hearted and impulsive and his many
excellent qualities won and held a
large circle of friends to whom the
news of his death will carry deep sor-
row. Captain Opie besides his proml-
nence as soldier and senator was an
author of note, one of his most pop
ular books being "A Rebel Cavalry
man"
Deceased is survived by the follow
ing children-John N. Opie, Jr., and
Miss Mamie L. Opie of this city; Mrs.
G. K. Robinson OF Philadelphia, and
Mrs. Guy F. Sutton of Huntington, w.
Va. by his first marriage; and Misses
Lucy, Helen, Ida, and Frances, Messrs.
Heirome L., editor OF the Staunton
Evening Lea der, Thomas, and Walton
Opie of this city, and Mrs. Clarence
Cooke of Frostburg, Md.
The funera, took place Sunday af-
ternoon at 3 o'clock from Trinity Epls-
copal church, OF which Capt. Opie was
a communicate, and was conducted by
Rev. W, @, Hullihen the rector, and
Rev A. M. Fraser, d. D.. of the First
Presby terian church The coDcourse
that assembled to pay their last tri-
butte to loved friend taxed to the ut
N ost the spacious building. The vet
Grams of SuOnewall Jackson Camp, the
West Augusta Guard of which he was
q member at the outbreak of the war,
and the Jackson Rifles were out in a
body. The pall-bsarers were: Hon.
orary-Captain Lewis Harman, DR.. b.
M. Atkinson, Mr.. Arch Kinney, Judge
]. M Quarles, Mr.. b. d. Timberlake,
Col j. ID. Lilley, Col. H. J. Williams,
Mr.. d. w. Drake, Mr. W. H. Moor
man, Capt. w. P. rams, DIR. w. D.
Armstrong. DIR. q. 8. Walker, Mr..
Carter H. Harrison. Captain W. H.
Kable, Judge J. L. s. Kirby, Major +.
H. Smith. Hon. A. G.. Gordon, Mr.. f.
I. Stribling, Lieut.. J. Il. Littig, May
or w. Ii. Landes, Mr.. George s.
Rosenberger. and Mr.. J. M. Perry.
Active-J Judge II. w. Holt. and
Messrs. Carter Braxton, z. II. Trout,
Gordon Armstrong. Fitzhugh Elder,
h. o. Blackford, s. P. Mann and H.
NICK. Smith.
An old Confederate friend OF his in
Richmond, writes the SPECTATOR as
follows: Virginia has lost noble son
in the death of Capt. John n. Opie.
No Drawer knight ever drew u sword.
He had the courage OF his cow ctions.
Loyal to bis friends. He loved Vir
ginia with all his heart, and went into
the Confederate army to defend what
be believed to be right, and declared
to his dying hour that force never bad
and never would esta blish a principle.
Taken all in all he was a splendid type
of the old Virginia gentleman.