--The death of
Wm. B. Page, of the police department, was announced in yesterday's issue.
He had been confined to his room since the 25th of November, when he was assaulted by a desperate negro named
Tom Gwinn, who then made his escape from the station-house.
Mr. Page, being old and very feeble, never recovered from the injuries he received on that occasion.
As near as we can ascertain, he had been connected with the police about forty years. In the war of 1812, he enlisted in
Capt. Booker's company, and went with his fellow volunteers to the
Canadian frontier.
There is not, probably, since his death, a surviving member of that gallant company in
Richmond, although
Capt. Booker still lives in the county of
Powhatan.
Mr. Page was an officer of the
night watch under
Captain Prentiss, but subsequently withdrew from the service for a short period.
He was in the day police during the whole time that
Capt. Jinkins was at the head of the watch, and of late years, being too feeble for arduous duty, has been retained as an officer at the first station-house, in consideration of his long and faithful services.--Many incidents are related of his courage.
On one occasion he went alone and arrested a large and powerful man, and was taking him to the watch-house, when the latter picked up a piece of plank and aimed a blow at
Mr. Page's head.
He received the blow on the hand, and consequently had to submit to the amputation of a finger.
At another time he was stabbed by a man whom he was taking into custody, and came near losing his life.--Having been so long in the public service, his name had become familiar to every resident, and his death removes what may properly be termed one of the landmarks of
Richmond.
At the opening of his Court yesterday morning, the
Mayor made an appropriate allusion to the death of
Mr. Page, whom he had known for many years, and had never known a braver officer or a better man. He closed by requesting the police to pay suitable respect to his memory by following his remains to the grave, which was complied with.
The funeral services took place yesterday afternoon, at the residence of
Mr. Geo. Barganin, son-in-law of the deceased.
Rev. Dr. Seeley was the officiating minister.
The funeral was attended by the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member; the
Mayor and other officers of the city.
The remains were interred at
Hollywood.
