The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-25
John j. Lynch Dies Sud-
denly After a Won
derful Rally.
HEART WEAKENED
B Y OLD ILLN ESS
Served Eight Years in Council,
and Won Commentator of the
Entire City for Able and
Honest Worls-Picked
for Administrative
Board.

John j Lynch, member or the Com
mon Council from Jefferson Ward. died
at tho Jefferson Hotel last night at
1880 o'clock. He was suddenly
stricken on Thursday night while at
tending dinner given at the JefIer-
Eon by Chairman II. X. Pollard. Jr.,
10 the Finance Committee. and for
time his condition was regarded as
alarming. BY midnight Friday. how
ever. ne had rallied 20 such an extent
that he was believed to bc out of dan
ger. ON Saturday he was etill very
much improved, his condition at noon
yesterday being more encouraging
Than at any other time since Thursday
night. lie chattci pleasantly with
many OF his friends who called to see
him. and even talked Of returning TO
his home. at 500 North Twenty second
Street.
FinnI AttucL Was Sudden.
Early last night. however. his condi-
ton became alarming again. and his
physicians were quickly called In.
Complications OF serious nature de-
veloPed, andeit was realized that the
end wae sfiear?y
Mr. Lynch WIS forty-six years old
He was unmarried. and Is survived by
three sisters. Misses Lacy and Annie
Lynch. who were with him when he
died. and Sister Gabrielle, n sister OF
nut 'lS. IN * LOUIS.
Mr Lynch had only recently recov-
cTed from severe attack OF grip. He
overtaxed his strength Ia attending TO
his duties in the Council, ana while
nc felt strong and well enough to at
tend the dinner to the Finance Com
nittce, nc became i'll during the even
Ing, and was quickly removed to a
room In the hotel. DR.. T. NJ Reade re-
manned with him all night. His sisters
r Il
the attack, which was something like
acute indigestion. light prove fata /.
he received every possible care and at
| tention. though his system was weak
ened by his recent Illness and he was
not able this time to pull through
About year ago he was seized with a
similar illness while walking with
friends in Broad Street
.ronE Man OF the Council.
Long member of :he Council. Mr.
Lynch was regarded as one of the
ablest. most aggressive and most fear
loss young men in RichFcnd He was a
member of the special committee which
devised the new system OF municipal
government providing for the crea ton
Of an Administrative Board. While
he had not publicly arrounced himself
as candidate for membership on that
board, he had heen urged to enter the
primary. and had he lived he would
nave undoubtedly been elected Be-
| cause Of his rena rka bic good work on
the snecial committee he had won the
lndorsement OF the business people
| Mr.. Lynch had been a member OF
the Common Council from Jefferson
Ward for eight years. His most ao-
tive service was on the Street Com
mittee. where he was ever alert n
rigilant and useful official, whose
ideas as to what the city needed ex-
~
own ward. He was without doubt the
most outspoken member OF the lower
branch. Thoroughly honest In his bus
iness life and dealings. he carried that
same principle into the Council and
! he possessed the ability and the cour-
| ase which the people realized were so
| essential in the men elected to manage
the affairs of the city under the sys-
tenn which goes into effect the first of
next year.
Urged snny Reforms.
About year ago Mr.. Lynch sue
cecded r. Douglas Richardson as
chairman OF the Committee on Eiac-
tricity. and supervised the completion
and initial operation of the electric
plant lie served on the special COM
mittee which Investigated the City En-
ginecr's department. He drew the re-
! port which recommended number OF
important changes In that department.
and at the last III eeting of the Com
mittee on Streets he took occasion 10
speak of the realty Increased eficlen-
cy which had come about within the
past six or eight months. Along with
his work 10 create the Administrative
| Board n, fought hard for the four
ward plan and for the elimina ton Of
old ward lines which had been detr!-
mental TO the best interests OF the city.
His own work had much TO do with
H.. q, 4