The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-15
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT

Johnson.
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT
d called meeting of the
Association for the Preservation OF
Virginia Antiquities, held in the
rooms of the Virginia Historical So
lowing memorial. expressing the
feeling of this association toward
our late honored and beloved presi-
dent. MRS. JOSEPH BRYAN. was
adopted.
Richmond and all Virginia mourn
the loss from this earth of Isobal
Stewart Bryan, and justly, for her
life was one long series of devoted
services to her city and her State.
She was woman In thousand
nay, in tens Of thousands. God gave
heart and brilliant mind, which
was richly cultivated, and wonder
full capacity for work, and these
gifts. together with her handsome
fortune. - held as in trust from
Him. and spent of them all layishly
In making His world a better and u
wor,hter place.
She was an old fashioned Christian
gentlewoman. interested In and in
touch with the time In which she
lived, but unashamed of her faith in
simple in that as In all things else.
and her whole life was dominated by
love--love of Cod. love of her fellow
creatures. love OF home. love OF
country.
Deep and strong was her love OF
Old Virginia and its traditions. and
while many organizations for char
liable and philanthropic work VIII
feel her loss keenly, none viii miss
her more than the Association for
. I.,, rs,,t,,
ties.
Mrs. Bryan, was one of the first to
throw herself heartily into the work
OF this association when 1t was found
ed. in 1889. When 1t WAS one year
old she became it's president. and
death, on September IL. 1910 pc
Rod OF twenty years 1t would be
impossible to name her benefactions
to the association during that time.
for in whatever work II engaged she
bore large part, both by active
personal effort and her remarkable
power of inspiring others to effort.
When the association was young
and poor and constant struggle
was required to raise money for its
surnort. she not only gave freely
from her own purse. but OF her time
and strength as we'll. Those who
rene mber the elaborate entertain-
ments that were given for the bene-
ut of the association know how ar
duous much OF this work was The
balls and theatrical entertainments
and the Kirmess were brilliant social
events as well as financial successes.
Not the least Of her gifts was her
fascinating personality. which was
of Very practical value to this assoc
citation and the other organizations
of which she was president. This
fascination gave her the power OF
not only drawing persons 10 her, but
of inspiring them with much OF her
own enthusiasm for whatever good
work was on hand. She was wei
supplied with the saving sense OF
humor. and her conversation. spark
ling with originality and wit. light
ened the necessary business meetings
over which she presided until what
would have been only a duty became
pleasure also to those attending
them
The idea of having historical lee
lures TO increase interest in and
knowledge of Virginia's past oriei-f
mated with her. and 1t was largely
due to her that the association gave
for years series of delightful and
instructive lectures each winter, TO
which there was no charge for adj
mission.
When the association acquired
lthroush the generosity of Mr. and
Mrs. Barney possession of Jar-as-
town, she saw the fulflment OF one
Of her dearest hopes. and from tina
time her energy and interest In max
ing the birthplace. of the nation all
II should tE never flaeged. In all
that has been accomplished there
she has borne her part, and until
railing health made it impossible for
her TO do so she always accompanied
the association upon its annual pill
grimage to this historic spot Upon
these occasions she added much to
the pleasure OF her fellow-tragelers
by her gracious manners and the
charming word that she had ready
Tor each one. She did not rest easy
TIL the construction of the break
water which secures Jamestown from
obstruction by the waves was ac-
ccomplished. The handsome iron fence
that Enclosed the ancient graveyard
was a gift from her. But the most
IS the magnificent statue Of Captain
John Smith, which stands like
sentinel upon the greensward, with
race turned toward the river
from the first 1t had been one Of
ner dreams to see a statue Of John
smith at Jamestown. but all efforts
TO raise q sufficient sum OF money
talled. Finally she and her noble
husband decided to present the statue
20 the association, and engaged the
Couper, to make it. And there. in
enduring bronze, the doughty captain
stands, a wonderfully forceful and
ii1ellke figure. looking out upon the
river he SO often sailed.
she never had the Sratitcation OF
seeing the statue. for she was never
physically able to make the Journey
10 Jamestown after it was placed.
Among other of Mrs. Bryan's gen
srous gifts to the association are
bronze tablets. marking various his
toTlc sites in Richmond
u, IN suite of crushing sorrows and
IL health, her interest in the asso-
cation has continued. No one will ever
snow snow the suffering Which the destruc-
llots by fire, of her beautiful home.
ttiaDurnum, with all tof its associa-
IONS, cost a woman so full Of senti-
h nent as Mrs. Bryan. A short time
nelore this calamity she had suffered
u uecline of health. which made it
impossiblc for her to take an active
part IN her labors Of love. Two years
aso the heaviest blowSof all fell upon,
iler IN the death OF her devoted hus.
,n 'd who had aided and encouraged
nv IN al her good works. 4,
YET. In spite OF 1.-THE seclusion, III
ness and sorrow laid upon her, she
meht quietly on--working. She was
not only brilliant but what is rarer
M t and her letters Of counsel writ