Evening star., 1934-10-21

Of James Wormley. now now % oceu- Gu.
Union Trust Co., was one of the best
a colored man, James Wormley, whose
name was known throughout the
United States. The Star of october 90
1884, prints the following account OF
his death:
"Mr. James wormley, the well known
hotel proprietor, died in Boston Sat-
urday. The remains arrived here yes
terday afternoon, accompanied by the
members of the family, who were
present at the death bed. The body
was taken to Wormley's Hotel, corner
of Fifteenth and H streets, and placed
in room called the Sumner parlor'
on account Of the fact that the furni-
ture in the room was purchased by
Mr.. wormley from the residence Of
Senator Sumner after the latter's
death. The esteem in which the de-
ceased was held was manifested by the
large number of prominent persons
who called at the hotel yesterday to
express their sympathy with the
family. The flags on the hotels Of the
city yesterday were suspended at half
mast in respect to the memory OF the
deceased. Arrangements have been
made for holding the funeral at 2
O'Clock tomorrow afternoon from the
hotel.
"Mr. wormley was one of the most
remarkable colored men in the country
and had a national reputation as q
caterer. He was born in this city
GA years ago and began business as
driver Of q hack; subsequently he
served as steward on various naval
vessels. Returning home, he was en-
ployed as steward of the Metropolitan
Club. A little before the war he
secured house on ! street near
Fifteenth and went into business for
himself. Among his patrons were
many Of the most prominent public
men of the day. He accompanied
Reverdy johnson to England when Mr..
johnson went as Minister to the Court
Of st. James and his skill as caterer
is said to have largely contributed to
Mr.. Johnson's diplomatic success. Mr..
wormley opened hotel at the corner
Of Fifteenth and II streets, which bears
his name, in 1871. The list Of guests
entertained there include many Of the
most eminent men Of the day In every
walk Of life. The parlors Of Wormley's
have been the scene Of many dis
tinguished gatherings. His strict busi-
ness integrity won for Mr.. Wormley
the confidence and friendship of the
wealthy and influential citizens OF
Washington.
"The pallbearers will be as follows:
Active-John F. Cook, John T. Given,
Isaac Lands, M. w. Gait, James @.
Berret, Hon. B. K. Bruce, Henry
Birch and r. H. Gleaves. Honorary
r. Z. Roessle, C. w. Spofford, G. G.
willard, o. Y. Staples. Franklin Tin
ney, Theophile Felter, George 8.
Kraff and William Henry Smith. The
following clergymen viii oficiate:
Rev, William Waring, Berean Bap-
tist Church; Rev. Byron Sunderland,
Four-and- Half Street Presbyterian
Church, and Rev. Frank Grimke, FIJI
teenth Street Presbyterian Church" :"
In the editorial columns Of The
Star Of october as, 1884, the follow
ing appears:
"Mr. Wormley's funeral was at
tended by two sets Of pallbearers-
one active and the other honorary.
The first was colored and the last
white. What folly at the grave
New York Graphic.
"This is an absurd and mischievous
misstatement. There was no color
line observable on the occasion re-
ferred to, the active pallbearers in
cluded both colored and white citi-
zens Of prominence, among the latter
being the Chief Justice Of the United
gtates District Court. mayor Of the