The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-23

Ii Peter Merrywcather Fry. former
manager Of the Jefferson Hotel and
.snc of the best known hotel mon in The
south. died yesterday morning at 1880
O'clock at his residence, lOl Enst
17ranl1lin Street. For moro Tran n wear,
De had been suffering from stomach
trouble During the lasct two weeks
the had been confined TO his home, ana
Though his condition was known to be
danger until short while before his
death. The funeral will take place
from Hol.- Trinity Church Tomorrow
porning at II o'clock
MIR. Fry was born IA, Koincr Springs,
Ma, iltty-tivc years ago. MS ehuca-
tion was received At the Virginia Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College. now
rhe Virginia Polytechnic Institutes.
from which he was graduated with the
class of SIS. There he did Well in his
classes and was distinguished as an
Hthlctc, being catcher OH the baseball
team and prominent in other depart
Smcnts of athletics
Long Manager of .Jclicrsnn.
si Before going into the hotel bust
ness he was for some time in the in
surancc business. lie gave that up to
become chief clerk at White sulphur
Springs, whore he remained for many
years. When the jefferson was bu..,
lie came here chief clerk ana held
the position for TWO years. lie was
then made manager, and continued in
that capacity up to two years ago with
greatest success. The condition OF his
health then made 1t necessary for him
10 resign and take n rest. s
II was during the administration OF
Mr. Fry that the jefferson was destroy
ed by fire on the night OF March 90.
1901. Shortly before midnight when
the fire was discovered Mr.. Fry and J.
N. Booker, the present chief clerk: turn
ed in tic alarm. and the accompanied
by Tom Griffin, the house detective
aroused the guests and got them safely
out of tho burning building. Al that
Iime Mr.. EFry's family occupied quarters
An the house
When j, was known that all the
!Eucsts had escaped Mr.. FRY and MI
lEookcr returned TO tho office TO save
nhc money and valuablcs in the safe
while they We're behind tho desk. which
twas shielded IN measure by the bal
tSony above, the. roof Of the main lobby
fell in with q. era sh, nut they escaped
with all the Ialaubles and Without be-
ing hurt.
After the fire Mi. Fry work ed un-
-
s1otcl, -and though connected with 1t
!only In the capacity of manager, was
considered one Of the chief factors in
bringing tile house back to more than
id,s former magniiicencc
Sa5 Mr.. Fry went 10 tho country for SOW
tral months. and after that seemed 10
thave RECLAIMED his strengths. lie then
iEccrntcd an offcr 10 manage the .>utu-
tral Bridge Hotel. which position he
lheld until the season closed last year.
Returning 10 his nome here his health
grew steadily worse.
IioBDrcd.h T National Association.
& Three years ago MIR. Fry was elected
20 the first vice presidency OF the
Hotel Mons Mutual Benefit Association.
the national hotel organization, at the
Isnnuai convention held In Saratoga
n. Y, an honor never before accorded
10 Southern member Of tho associa ton.
HE was one OF the organizers Of tho
Virginia Hotel Mems Associations and
twas The first president OF the organiza-
ttion. When tho Virginia and North
iGarolina Associations were consolidated
two years ago he was one OF the prime
mowers. and completed his second term
tas president only a short While ago
JIG was also prominent in the AIasons
and the Eiks here.
Mr. Try leaves wife and three cnil-
drcll--P>, NJ. Fry. Jr., and yirsinia and
Eleanor Fry.