The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-27
DESP PERATELY Ill
SINCE WEDNESDAY
Gallant Confederate Made Brave
Fight, When Strength
Was Failing.
HARBOR MASTER MANY YEARS
Won Distinction in War Time by
Running Blockade Tor
Coniederacy.

Captain John A curtis harbor mas
ter Of Richmond, ana for several terms
a member Of thc House of Delegates
died this morning at els o'clock at
his home. 10 North Twcnty-n!nth
street In his eiEhti"th year. after 4,
brief illaess Il. was one of the
most widely known ana highly es-
tcemed r'cn in Richmond. having had
unique career dating back TO the
days Of sailing vessels. when he was
first shipniaster and later ship
chandler located in Richmond His
wartime experiences in the little
navy or the confcderacy are a chap
tcr OF daring seldom cXccllcd In his
later Years his "Np"rielr, ami advice
have been constantly al tho command
OF the city in the Improvement Of the
river ara harbor. ia: interest in the
water and in plans :or restoring The
shipping Of this port being keen to
the time OF his death In Tho Legis-
laturc he had always fought hard for
the hest interests cf Richmond
Interested In Cnmpnicn.
suffering from the infrmities OF age,
Captain curtis was unable to take
part in tho recent campaign for the
House OF Delegates. in which he was
n candidate Once or twice he drove
10 public halls and made brief ai-
dresses. but his strength was not equal
To IN aggressive campaign Notwith-
standing the fact that he made prac-
tically no canvass. he ran sixth on the
ticket fo- the House OF Delegates. be
inS defeated. according TO the final
count Of the ballots. by only thirty
eight votes
Last Sunday Captain curtis was
stricken with an acute attack OF stom-
ach trouble. from which he nevcr re-
covered. Ills mind remained clear un-
I'll yesterday. Dr. r. H. Garcin has
been in constant attendance but since
"Wednesday his condition had been
critical. his advanced age and failing
strength not ittiuE him to withstand
the prolonged attack When the end
came he was surrounded by his chill
Crcn and relatives
lTnd Adventurous Cnrc"r.
Captain John y. Curtis. Of Richmond
was distinguished fov adventurous and
valuable service to The Confederate
cause. He was born ut Hampton Va
In 1884 From the age OF fourteen
years he was student OF scamanship
with practical experience ailoat on the
rivers. hay and coast. In MAJ. 1851
at twenty seven years OF age he en-
listed as private in Company \. OF
the Thirty second Nirginia Infantry
and was engaged with that command
on the Peninsula. lighting at BIG
H.thcl In the following October he
was detailed on account Of his naval
Skill 20 navigate a schooner on the
James River and from this position he
was promoted to superintendent of
transportation on the James River ana
kanrwha Canal. under command Of
Major i<ensie Johns. In the spring of
1868 he received commission as act
ms master in the Confederate states
Navy Reporting to Major Norris chief
signal officer at Richmond. he was as
signed to duty In the secret service
crossing the James River to pav's
Point for military Information. which
occupied him during the winter of 1853
O. Then rcnortinr L. Cuntntn John
iarker. c. 8. y. ri RichmorI. he was
g 5'%ncd 10 duty undoV Lieutenant
Commands: Hunter Davidson. ir charge
Of the torpedo service on she James
River.
Exploded Torpedo.
f'H was :cconG in command Of a
daring expedition arains. the shipping
~ Newport News sailing In II steam
launch siytccn fee, long. and carving
n torpedo containing sixty three pounds
OF powder. which he successfully ex-
plodad under the United States frisate
Minnesota. damaGins her so much as
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