The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-06-24
D. |. TONEY EXPIRES
SUDDENLY At HOME
IN SOUTH RICHMOND
Fatal Attack of Acute lndi-
gestion Follows Eating
Melon-Well- known Citizen
Business Man and Politician

David Lafayette Toney. one Of
Richmond's best known citizens and
IA member Of the State Legislature,
died suddenly last night at 73o
o'clock In hts home at Fraternity all,
Ills Hun street, South Richmond.
His death followed q serious attack
: Of acura indigestion, which @as
caused by eating watermelon the
night before. It seems that Mr.. Toney
had eaten tha melon for supper bon
aay night. Shortly afterward he SUI
fered a severe case OF cramps. Doc
tors were called in and they pro-
lnounced II a case of acute fndig astton
The doctors remained at Mr.. To1ey
bedside until the end.
I Mr. Toney was a man held In high
esteem by the residents OF South Rich
nond, and had hundreds of friends
on both sides Of the river and through
out the State When news OF his
death circulated in South Richmond
his home was swarr1ed with frtends,
anxious TO learn the particulars and 10
aid the hearth roken family. Last night
crowds were gathered ON the streets
II South Richmond and tears were in
the eyes OF many Mr.. Toney WIS a
favorite among all classes on the
Souths{de In speaking OF MIN last
night citizens said that whenever
man or woman wanted a, friend or
anyone 10 assist them. they could find
one in u. L. Toney The Confederate
veterans were also friends Of Mrs,
Toney. and they will doubtless be
grieved 10 learn Of his demise.
Born In Powhatan.
/ Mr.. Touey was about fifty-fve years
old and was IN the best of health be-
/ fore his sudden illness He was born
{ In Powhatan county. end while
/ very YOUNG man moved to South Rich
~ sd
small hotel. The hotel business was
not successful. however. and Mr.
Toney abandoned ii for another bust
ne~ The hotel was named after
/ him. Lafayette, and is still known on
i the Southside.
II was not long after his abandon
inent Of the hotel that Mr.. Ton ey
/ became interested in politics, He was
/ the originator of the Chesterfield ana
Manchester Business Mems association
and was elected as the first president
/ of the assoc iation. He had been the
/ only president Of the association up
! 70 the time of his death and had been
elected each wear without opposition
Under Mr. Toneys leadership, the as
| ISOLATION brought Manchester TO the
front in commercial activities The
railways were requested to enlarge
/ their Yards and buildings and many
other improvements were mace oui
| ing his administration.
/ Mr.. Tonev was postmaster OF Man
| chester under President Cleveland's
/ administration.
Factor In Annexation.
| He was ce-president of the South
! Richmond Democratic club and took
an active part In the business of that
association He was the leading
factor which caused Manchester to be
annexed to Richmond 10 form Greater
Richmond 1t was under his leader
! shin that the voters consented TO De
! annexed,
| The last session Of the State legis-
lature marked his fifth term as a dele
/ gate from Richmond. and he had given
a careful lookout for the interests OF
the people he represented. Especially
was this noticeable of the South Rich
| mond people.
| Mr. Toney was n Mason. Red Man,
| Flk Eagle and was a member OF other
local lodges on the southside.
| He is survived by three children.
III bv his nrst Winchester Toney
/ and r, l.. Toney. Jr.. and Miss Edna
| Tonev. One sister, Mrs. NJ. A. Brown.
OF Powhatan. also survives. His sec
/ ond wife was Miss Pearl Supue, Of
Chesterfield county
Leader in All Movements.
Mr.. Toney was the prime mover In
the industrial conditions on the South
/ side and the people Of that section
have shown their appreciation by never
offering an opponent when he was a
/ candidate for Office
/ Mr. Toney was engaged in the thea
i tricai business at the time OF his
/ death He was sole proprietor of the
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