Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-11-18

O'Clock this morning. The deceased
was in the S4th year OF his age having
been born April -, 1927. He leaves
four children-Mr. William +. Web
ster, Mrs. Kate Pullman, Mrs. Cora
Kelly and Mrs. Susie Deeton. The
former chief, burdened with years and
suffering from chronic ailments, was
compelled some time ago to relinquish
his post at the police station. His con-
dition soon became grave and his many
friends who at times called on him saw
his long life was drawing to q close
Patient and submissive, the aged SUI
ferer calmly!awaited the time when he
should be gathered to his fathers.
James F. Webster was son OF John
and Sallie Webster. His father was a
tanner by occupation and Tor many
wears was employed at the Smoot tau
merry on Wilkes street. His mother
was q daughter of William Latham,
who came to this city from Ireland in
the latter part Of tie eighteenth century.
The subject Of this notice was born
on West street. In early life he was a
carpenters apprentice and upon reach
ing manhood worked for time at that
occupation. He later placed teams on
the street and for years engaged in the
business Of carrier.
At the close OF the civil war, when
four constables performed the police
duty OF the city during the day, nc
was elected one Of the quaternion,
which position ho held until 1870,
when the present police force was
organized. He was at that time
selected as captain aud served as such
until few years ago when his adj
vanced years caused the police COM
to place q younger man at
the head OF the force. The former
chief, however, was retained in the
service as property clerk, and among
bis duties was the preparation of the
various papers in connection with the
Police Court, work for which he was
peculiarly suited, and which he execut-
ed with accuracy and satisfactorily as he
had done for nearly forty years while
chief. He acted az clerk of the court,
calling the cases and noting what dis
position was made Of them. Honest
and fearless in his dealings in private
life, no was ever the same in tho dis
charge OF his public duties, and he en-.
joyed the confidence of the different
men who we're from time to time called
to fill the mayors chair as we'll as others
with whom he had dealings.
The chief OF police and the mayor,
especially during the time the latter
presided in tho Police Court, labored
together, and cordiality and friendship
were generally apparent. Possessed OF
a vein OF humor, Chief Webster's drol-
lery made him pleasant member Of
any company with which he mingled.
There are many interesting chapters
in his long career as conseryator OF
the peace, as he often played promi-
nent parts at times when it required
nerve. He was instrumental in bring
ing to justice the negroes who murder
ed William Lyles at Piscataway, Md,
August II, 1866; also in capturing
Henry Young, the negro who murder
ed Frank Ham in Washington on the
night OF March %, 1878. Young had
stood in the jail yard in this city that
day and witnessed the hanging of Will
liam Manley, colored for numbering
Daniel Monroe, a clock member.
A man OF remarkably tenacious
memory, the ex-chief's "reminiscences
OF Alexandria we're legion, and tor
many years he was regarded as a sort
OF local encyclopedia by the younger
generation. He was member of the
Friendship Veteran Firemen's Associa-
ton.
Possessed of o sturdy intellect, a
spirit which was q stranger to fear,
honest and straight forward in the per-
iormanco OF his public duties and in
his dealings with his fellow man, he
has laid aside his burden OF life con-
scious Of having faithfully performed
his mission and in his death il
can he truly said, another honest heart
has ceased to beat,
Acting Mayor F. F. Marbury thi:
morning directed that the station house
be draped in mourning in respect to
the memory Of the late chief.
The former chief was one Of large
Alexandria family, and the following
from the Gazette. which appeared wher
Mrs. Catherine Nowland (aunt OF the
deceased died June 25, 1900, is repro
duced:
1.-THE death yesterday afternoon Q
Mrs. Catherine Rowland, at the age o
ninety, removes the last OF the chill
dren of William Latham, who came
here in l7es from Ireland. He wa
by trade halter, but in this countr.
be engaged in tho construction of mil
races, etc. He had eleven children
three sons and eight daughters. Al
Of the sons died before 1S4O eScep
Hugh Latham, who was at one TIM
mayor of Alexandria. Eight daugh
tiers, Mrs. Burns, Mrs. Faccari, Mrs
Hill, Mrs. Kinslow, Mrs. NoWlanu
Mrs. Sallie Webster (mother OF jaime
F. Webster), Mrs. Margaret Webster
Mrs. Fritzell. Each had children AM
the descendants OF the original Latham
family now number hundreds OF Alex
andriaus.