Obituary, John Calhoun Monroe, 1932, Moore Co. NC
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Moore County News, Carthage NC
Thursday Dec. 1, 1932

Veteran Who Locked Arsenal At Fayetteville Dies Here

   A Stirring Career
John C. Monroe, Former County Commissioner, Passes in Bensalem
   His End Came Suddenly

Finis was written to a stirring and useful career Friday, November 25th, when 
John Calhoun Monroe, one of the few remaining veterans of the war between the 
states in Moore county, died suddenly at his home in Bensalem township.  He was 
86 years old.

It was Mr. Monroe, a member of Col. Child's cavalry, who turned the big brass 
key to the door of the Confederate arsenal at Fayetteville when the Confederates 
retreated before General Sherman's march and that key is a prized heirloom of 
the family.

While the deceased had been in declining health for several months, he arose and 
partook of a hearty breakfast on the morning of his demise.  Apparently in 
unusually good spirits, he started to walk about the kitchen when his daughter 
saw him fall.  Picking him up, she laid him across a bed in an adjoining room.  
He lived only a few minutes.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday from the Bensalem Presbyterian church, of 
which Mr. Monroe had been a life-long member, by the pastor.  The pallbearers 
were E.C. McLean, Alex Brewer, Marvin Lewis, McKellar McLean, Claude Underwood 
and William Criscoe.  Interment was in the church cemetery.  Despite the cold 
weather, a large number of friends were present at the services to pay their 
last respects to this highly esteemed citizen.

        Served in Calvary [sic]

Mr. Monroe volunteered during the closing days of the war between the states and 
saw much active service in Virginia.  He was at Petersburg when the crater was 
touched off and lost two brothers in this memorable battle.  He was sent with a 
detachment of Wheel's famous cavalry to harass Sherman on his devastating march 
to the sea, and was the last soldier, it is believed, to leave Fayetteville when 
news of the approach of the Union general was received.  Col. Childs and his 
staff left in post haste, but Mr. Monroe remained long enough to consume the 
Col.'s breakfast, consisting of a fried egg, some toast and French fried 
potatoes, quite an elegant meal for an enlisted man in the declining days of the 
Confederacy.  Mr. Monroe had mounted and was about to set off to rejoin his 
command when he happened to notice the immense brass key in the front door of 
the Confederate arsenal.  He jumped from his horse, and after turning the lock, 
put the key in his pocket.

The deceased was a most useful man.  He served one term as county commissioner, 
back in 1894, when the county fathers were appointed by the magistrates.  He was 
held in very high regard and was an extensive landowner.

His wife, the late Mary Deaton Monroe, preceded him to the grave about twelve 
years ago, and the following children survive:  Mrs. W.F. Smith, of Carthage 
township; Mrs. B.F. Brown, of Steeds; W.T. Monroe, of Norfolk; J.W. Monroe, of 
Eagle Springs; D.A. Monroe, of Biscoe; Mrs. Heywood Smith, of Eagle Springs; 
Laughlin D. Monroe, of Chicago; G.C. Monroe, of Norfolk; and E.F. Monroe, of 
Asheville.

----

[Transcriber's note - this says his wife was Mary Deaton.  Family records 
indicate that Mary Deaton was his mother's name.  His wife was Margaret 
Elizabeth Seawell.]