The individual views with wonder and almost awe the great events which
the evolution of time has produced. If things are such in this, the
twentieth century of the Christian era, what may the next one show
forth to the eyes and imaginations of mortals? Can any person now
living even speculate? There are a few who predict revelations in the
invisible world, or the spiritual life, and who can say nay to it, in
the light of discoveries and development of the present age? Time only
can tell what the veil of the future now hides from human view.
A prominent element of Richmond's professional status was its legal
bar, as its lawyers comprised many of the ablest attorneys in the
State. Among the most prominent ones of the ante-bellum period were
Mr. James Lyons, Sr., Jno. M. Gregory, Raleigh T. Daniel, John Howard,
Alexander H. Sands, Edward and Henry Cannon, Messrs. Johnson,
Griswold, Claiborne, Howison, August, Randolph, Littleton, Tazewell,
Marmaduke, Johnson and many others, who shed a lustre upon their
distinguished profession of the law. The bar of Virginia has always
ranked as the highest in the land, and not even excelled in ability by
that of the old Mother Country, England. There were two lawyers who
were conspicuous men for their homeliness. One was Mr. Joseph
Carrington, of Richmond, the other was William Wallace Day, of
Manchester, Va. A dispute having arisen as to which was the uglier of
the two, and as it was very difficult to say which was, so the friends
of each agreed to appoint a committee to decide the matter, and the
one who was adjudged to be the uglier by it was to receive a prize of
a fine penknife. The prize knife fell to the lot of Mr. Day as the
successful contestant, and accordingly it was handed him as the award
of _not beauty_, but of plain features at least, if not downright
ugliness. Both of these worthy gentlemen were prominent and successful
lawyers of the Richmond bar.
The annexation to Richmond of the several adjacent towns has added
greatly to the population and proved a decided benefit to each. The
former city of Manchester, which was for a long time an independent
corporation (even said to be older than Richmond as a town), was
lately joined to its sister city over the James River and is now
called Washington ward, or more properly speaking, "South Richmond."
It is now rapidly advancing in prosperity and is also improving in
appearance in streets and parks. Consolidation or merger of interests
and cooperation seems to be the spirit of modern times and of the age
of commerce and money-making.
Before the war Richmond banks formed a very important element of its
business equipment. The old Exchange Bank occupied the building at
present the home of the First National, between Eleventh and Twelfth
Streets on Main, but which last named one will soon be removed to its
new home, southwest corner Main and Ninth Streets--nineteen stories
high. Then comes next in rank the Farmers Bank, and then the Bank of
Virginia, and the Bank of the Commonwealth. A good deal of banking was
transacted by private bankers, such as C. W. Purcell & Co., Sutton,
Enders & Co., Goddin, Harrison & Co. These were all first-class and
model institutions in their line, and occupied a high place in the
business world of the city.
One of the unique characters in the State was the celebrated Parson
Massie, as he was always called, though he was a full-fledged
politician of the Readjuster period and was an efficient aid to
General William Mahone. When the debt settlement was made, he returned
to the Old Democratic fold. The "Parson" was truly one of the most
plausible and eloquent speakers on the Hustings. No man in Virginia
was more perfectly conversant with all the issues of the day, and
there lived none who could "rattle" or disconcert him, for his
extraordinary coolness and his undoubted courage always discomforted
his opposers. He was elected and became the head of the whole school
system of Virginia for many years.
Among the military companies of the city was the old Richmond Light
Infantry Blues, the organization of which dates back almost to
Colonial times, and whose military record is as bright and efficient
as a Damascus blade. It was commanded by officers whose memory will be
revered and honored as long as time lasts. I can recall the names of
some as Captains Bigger, Patton, O'Jennings, Wise, and its war
captain, Levy. Since the War between the States, it has been
reorganized and formed into a battalion of three companies. It still
retains its former and ancient prestige gained in the past, and is
justly regarded as one of the best military commands to be found
anywhere. The personnel of this old crack corps is A No. 1. No higher
class young men are enrolled in any companies. Next comes the old
Richmond Grays, one of the best-drilled companies in the State. The
material of which this was composed was unsurpassed in Richmond and
its appearance on the streets always elicited special notice and
praise.
Then came the Young Guard of the Commonwealth, commanded by Captain
John Richardson. This company always received praise for its soldierly
bearing, for to see this body of young men marching in open order down
Main Street was a sight well worth seeing.
Then I mention Company F, which was commanded by Captain R. Milton
Carey, which was another of Richmond's crack companies, being composed
of the very elite of the city, and always reflected great credit on
its native city. Then next I recall the Richmond Fayette Artillery,
Captain Clopton, which was the only company of artillery in the city.
Another prominent infantry company was the Walker Light Guards. This
was organized by Captain Walker, but a short time before the war and
it made a fine record during the war between the States, being
considered one of the very best commands in the Fifteenth Virginia
Regiment. A large and fine cavalry company called the Richmond Troop
added much to the city's reputation for its military organization, as
it was drilled and commanded by an ex-West Point graduate, Captain C.
Q. Tompkins, who was a splendid officer and made his troop a model
cavalry company.