Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-02-20
DEATH 0FREV. FATHER CARNE
Prominent Educator and Priest Pass
es Away at a Ripe Old Age.

| Rev. Father Richard II. Carne, VINO
had recently been critically i'll at the
residence OF his brother-in-law, Mr..
Theodore H. Ficklin, died last Satur-
day afternoon about four o'clock. The
deceased, burdened with years, bad
been housebound for months, chronic
organic disease having virtually render
ed him helpless. OF late his condition
had become serious and during long
periods he was unconscious Of his sur
roundings.
Rev. Father Carne is survived by
three sisters--Mrs. Cecilia Potter, OF
BROOKLYN, n. Y, and Mrs. Susan
Ficklin, and Miss Mary NJ. Carne, Of
Alexandria. He was in the S3th year
of his age.
Rev. Father Richard Libbey Carne
was son Of the late Richard l.. Carne
He was born October 5, 1926, in the
building which up TO a few years ago
stood on the cast side Of Fairfax street,
between King and Cameron, upon the
site OF which Mrs. George A. Mushbach
is now erecting q three-story struct-
ure
IN colonial days the grandfather OF
the deceased came to Alexandria from
England and engaged in the hardware
business. He was succeed by his son,
Richard +. Carne, father Of the subject
of this notice, who for many years con.
sinued the business at the southeast
corner of King and Fairfax streets, the
site now occupied by Burke & Herhert's
bank. The grandfather OF the deceased
purchased the two squares OF ground
bounded by Lee, Fairfax, Jefferson and
Greene streets and erected the brick
residence now situated at the southeast
corner OF Fairfax and Jefferson streets.
The southern square Of rhis property
is still owned by members Of the Carne
| family.
In his boyhood days Rev. Father
| Carne was q student at st. Johns
Academy, at that time conducted by
well-known educator named McLough-
lin. The academy had been establish
ed by Rev. John Smith, S. j.. in 1910.
When the deceased was between cIsh-
teen and nineteen years Of age he be-
came principal of the school, and dur.
Ing the first year Melted about 500. he
subsequently placed the academy on q
more remnnerativc basis and within 4
few wears succeeded in making it one
OF the most prominent and numerously
attended institutions in the city Its
reputation extended beyond the limits
OF Alexandria aud scholars from nearly
all states in the union at times attend.
ed this historic academy. The grand.
fathers of many Of the present genera
ton we're pupils of the institution.
Old st. Johns Academy and its
motto, Pro Dec ct pro Patria," with
which the name Of Richard L. Carne
vas so intimately connected, vas for
many years one of Alexandria s most
cherished institutions. Over half q
century ago the academy was located in
frame building at the northwest cor
ner OF Duke and Royal streets. Years
before circus performances had been
given on this lot. About the year
1860 the academy was removed to an
old school building on the east side Of
Columbus street, near King. Suisse
uuentlv tho lower floor OF Odd Fellows
Hall, on Columbus street, between
Cameron aud Queen streets, was used
by Mr.. Carne as the quarters for his
school. After the close OF the civil
var he procured the building at the
southeast corner OF Duke and Column
bus streets, nov occupied as q residence
by Mr.. Theodore II. Ficl;iin, After
few years Mr.. Carne, who had been
close student all his life, concluded to
relnquish the occupation OF teaching
and enter the priesthood. This was
in September, 1892, and the school vas
turned over to Mr.. ". II. Sweeney,
who conducted it for few years. The
public schools OF the state had grad
ually made inroads into many cher
ished Virginia institutions, and event
ualy old st. Johns Academy became
thing of the past. Rev. Father
Carna had in the meantime been duly
installed priest and been assigned to
the Church OF the Sacred Heart, Rich
mond. Later ha became chaplain in
Old Point, Va, College. He was near
ing the allotted thrce-scoro years and
ten when he entered the priesthood and
the weight OF years soon began to tell
upon him. He finally returned to his
old home in Alexandria and assisted
in the pastoral work Of St. Mary's
Church.
The deceased was for years All active
member Of the old uydraulion Fire
Company and for several years presi-
dent OF that organization.
About third OF a century ago he
was nominated a candidate for the
Common Council from the Third ward.
The nomination was equivalent to
election, but he refused to run and
the next highest man in the convention
took his place on the ticket.
Father Carne was for many years
regular contributor to the Gazette, aud
hardly week passed without the
appearance OF an article from his pen.
He was ready writer and possessed
the power OF making interesting read
ing out OF the most commonplace
subjects.
At the close OF the civil war be sery-
ed for several yeara as president OF
the board Of trustees of the old Lam
casteriau free school established by
George Washington and devoted much
Of bis labor and attention to this in