The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-22
Popular and Beloved Claim
Agent of c. & O. Railway
Dies Following Operation
DIES RESULT OF WOUND
RECEIVED LAST YEAR
Assassin s Bullet Which Laid
Him Low Over Year Ago
Finally Causes His Death.
Funeral Tomorrow

Luther l.. scherer, general claims
agent of the Chesa peake and Ohio
Railway Company, and one of the best
known railway claim agents in the
country. died at 7:15 O'Clock last night
lin Johnston Willis Hospital following
an operation early yesterday afternoon
performed in the hope of bringing
wound suffered in December. 1914,
near Clifton Forge. The wound was
received white MIR. Scherer in. pursuit
of his duty was at work in the yards
in the vicinity of Clifton Forge. run
ming down a gang of car thieves. and
the negro who shot him is now serving
a life term in the Virginia penitentiary.
Though MIR, Scherer has been for
several months undergoing treatment
preparatory to and in anticipation OF
the operation. which IL was believed
would lengthen his life, few, beyond
the most intimate circle of his friend
ship. knew of it. To all. intmates and
friends alike-and he numbered the
latter by thousands-he was ever in
light spirits and his characteristic good
humor was never Surrounded by his
CAiASi Aist. \ nan liac ioNi tAAal AtI "Nhh
to the operating table yesterday he
was in the hest OF spirits. and to those
who had conversed with him during
the last few days news of his death
came last night as greater shock
than to others, though TO all the shock
WAS grave.
Keen regrets were everywhere ex-
pressed last night where the death
of Luther Scherer was spoken of, and
in railway circles. particularly c, Il O.
circles In which he was best known.
tribute was paid his memory--nobiii-
~ of character, rare ability. faithful
and efficient service. devotion to fam
lily aud loyalty to friends.
offcials of the e. & O. last night
declared the company had suffered
heavily in his death. All deplore it..
Prepared For Death.
While externally there were no in
dications that Mr.. Scherer feared the
operation, evidence was developed
after death that he had feared fatal
outcome He had left in keeping of
his brother. Rev. ] J. Scherer. Jr..
pastor of the First English Evangeli-
cal Luther Church Of this city, a small
packet TO he opened in the event the
operation did not end we'll.
This packet opened. in the pres
ence of members of the family and a
few of the most intimate friends OF
the man at his late home last night,
revealed minute detailed instructions
as to the funeral arrangements. and
the naming of those whom he desired
to serve as pallbearers The pail
bearers names will not be announced
. until tomorrow, when 1t Will have
been ascertained who of those on the
list are able to serve in the active
and honorary capacities assigned
them in the posthumous document.
Funeral Monday Afternoon.
The funeral services will be con-
Quoted at o'clock tomorrow after
noon from the First English Lutheran
Church. of which he was a member
Of the board of trustees and of which
his brother. Rev. J. J. Scorer Jr.. Is
pastor. Rev Mr. Scherer was named
as the officiating clergyman. Inter
ment will be in Hollywood Cemetery.
News Of the death OF Nr. Scherer
was conveyed last night to his aged
father, Rev. DIR. ]. J. Scherer, Sr., OF
Marion. Va. president emeritus of
Marion College, a Lutheran educa
tioral institution.
Operated On Yesterday.
Mr.. Scherer was operated on shortly
after l2 O'Clock yesterday afternoon.
the surgeons being Dr. r, G. Willis.
and his associates, Drs. Johnston and
/ Oppenheimer. At 3 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon 1t appeared TO the doctors
that the patient wasge ting on nicely
and that recovery might be expected
! II was about 6 o'clock that the re-
action came in the form OF acute car
diac dilatation. He sank rapidly and
death came about 7:15 o'clock.