Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-12-23
THE LATE COLONEL MARYE.

THE LATE COLONEL MARYE.
The announcement in the Gazette OF
the death of the late Colonel Morton
Marye yesterday was read with regret
by his many friends and acquaintance
liz this city. His decease is equally
regretted throughout the state. For
some months past Colonel Marye
had suffered greatly, and during most
OF this period he has been kept away
from his office, though his activity had
been little short of remarkable, consid-
>cring his advanced age. .
Colonel Marye was the Oldest Of all
the states public servants, having been
elected first auditor by the legislature
OF 1883. Since that time he has con-
tinuously held Office, and the possibll-
ity OF his defeat never once entered the
minds Of those familiar with public
affairs. During his encumbency Col
oncl Marye saved the commonwealth
hundreds of thousands of dollars. His
mastery Of state finances was complete
and many of the most important laws,
on the statute books have bean enacted
at his instance. AS the first auditor
has dealings with practically all the
fiscal officers of the commonwealth, his
name was Familiarity known from one
end of the commonwealth to another.
The virtues of accuracy, fairness and
fca,essness were inherent in Colonel
Marye. who had courageously and
faithfully met every duty in life.
Colonel Marye began his useful life
as n clerk in the Office OF the late Will
liam II. Fowle, in this city and in his
early manhood was associated with Mr..
Drayton G. Meade in the agricultural
implement business.
AS captain of the Alexandria Rifle
men, he first saw service in connection
with the John Brown raid and later on,
when the north and sonth were split
in twain, he went forth as one OF the
Coaiederacy's most gallant officers.
His career as colonel OF the Seven
tccnth Virginia Regiment is known to
hundreds and the memory OF his feats
rs soldier in gray will perhaps sur
yive even longer than that OF his
achievements as a civilian 1t was at
Second Manassas that he lost his leg.
This terrible injury, which manned
him for life, Of course ended his use
fulness as soldier, but it did not suffice
to blight his indomitable spirit.
In 1860, Colonel Marye became
clerk of the Corporation Court of
Alexandria, and as such was also eS-
olficio clerk OF the Alexandria Circuit
Court. Judge James Keith, now
president OF the Virginia Court OF APP
pcals, then presided on the bench OF
that circuit, and he describes Col
onel Marye as . clerk who had few
equals.
When he ran for the position he last
held ho had as his opponent the late
Ham Shepherd, of Warrenton.
Colonel Marye came into office just
at the time the state was beginning to
shake off the shackles of republicanism
under another name-at time above
all others when he was needed-and it
was but short while before be proved
to all that be was the best man for the
place.
The more intimately one knew him
the more one loved the rugged, honest
old soldier who was the very embodi-
mcnt OF big heartedness and kindness.
Earnest as he ever was in purpose, he
was neither austere nor unapproach-
able, but carefully observed the amen
tiles OF life and was rarely too busy to
pause for the exchange OF a joke or
hearty laugh.
Morton Maryc was the son of John
Lawrence and Anna Maria Burton
Marye. He was born on September z,
1881, at "Brompton" the family
home, at Fredericksburg. He is sur
vivcd by Mrs. Marye, who was Miss
Caroline Homassel Voss, OF 'Haw-
thornc," Rappahannock county. He
leaves five children-Mrs. Mary Thorn
ton Thompson, wife of John S. Bar
bour Thompson, OF Atlanta, Ca. Bur
ton Marye, Robert Voss Marye, Nor
ton Marye, jr., and Philip Thornton
Marye.
The funeral services were held this
afternoon at $50 O'Clock at the Church
of the Holy Trinity, Richmond, and
the burial was in Hollywood Cemetery.
The honorary palbearels included
many of the. most prominent men IN
the State. Tile flags on the State build
ings were lowered at half mast today
by order OF the governor who also
directed that the Auditors office be
closed till after the funeral.
Gov. Mann will appoint successor
to Col. Marye on Monday. Mr.. Q.
Lee Moore formerly of this city, the
chief clerk in the Auditors office, will
probably be named.