Southampton-Nansemond County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Murray, Dr. William W., 1931 

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DR. W. W. MURRAY DIES AT AGE 86 

Veteran Physician Who Was With Lee At Appomattox Passes; 
   Was Leader of Profession Here for Many Years; Burial Friday. 

  Another veteran of the Stars and Bars, who stood with Lee in the last hour 
of the Confederacy at Appomattox, the last remaining one in Suffolk, answered 
taps this morning when Dr. William Wilkinson Murray, aged 86, died at his home 
on N. Broad street. 

  The aged veteran, who retired several years ago from the active practice of 
medicine, has been in declining health for some time, and his death was not 
unexpected. 

  Dr. Murray was a son of Robert Murray, who came to Southampton county and 
settled at Courtland from County Doon [sic; Down], Ireland, and Mrs. Elmira 
Godwin Murray, a native of Chuckatuck. 

  At the age of 18 years he entered the University of Virginia for the study 
of medicine, but his classes were interrupted by the secession of Virginia 
from the Union and the gathering of war clouds.  He forsook the dissecting 
laboratory for the military camp, offering his services to the Confederacy. 
He fought with the Gray-clad sons of the South until the end, and was with 
General Lee at Appomattox Courthouse. 

  After the surrender, young Murray went back to Charlottesville and completed 
the course in medicine, and then went to Dublin where he received his M.D. at 
Queens and the Royal University.  He later did special clinical studies in 
Paris. 

  Dr. Murray's first practice was at Baltimore, where he remained for 12 years 
before coming to Suffolk.  In this city he soon assumed a leadership in his 
profession and maintained it for many years. 

  During the greater part of his mature life he was active in the Presbyterian 
church, and served several terms as in elder of the Suffolk church.  In 1895 
he associated himself with the International Bible Students Association, and 
since that time until his death took an active interest in the religious 
organization. 

  Dr. Murray was married twice. First Miss Sue Kilby, daughter of the late 
John L. Kilby, of Suffolk, and in 1917, several years [sic; months*] after the 
death of his first wife, to Miss Rita Butler, who survives him.  One son, 
Dunbar Murray, of Staunton, is the sole other survivor.  Relatives of the 
family reside in Portsmouth and Matthews county. 

  Funeral services will be conducted from the residence on N. Broad street 
Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock.  A.H. Koeber, of Washington, D.C., will conduct 
the service.  Interment will be in Cedar Hill cemetery. 

  Active pallbearers will be Dr. J.E. Rawls, Dr. J.P. Whedbee, W.W. Ballard, 
Judge James L. McLemore, John Vaughan, W.B. Lawrence, D.N. Farnell, and Dr. 
F.J. Morrison. 

  Honorary pallbearers will include R.E. Babb, Phillip Berman, W.L. Coble, 
A.W. Zeimke, H.W. Smellings, G.N. Kitsmiller, Herman Rapp, B.G. Williams, J. 
Walter Hosier, Dr. D.L. Harrell, H. Woodward, Sr., Frank Holladay, G. Lloyd 
Bell, W.R. Kilby, J.T. Dalton, O.S. Smith, Sr., Dr. Clinton Kilby, Judge R.R. 
Prentis, Beverly Brothers, L.G. Brothers and J.E. Ross. 


Dr. William Wilkinson MURRAY, retired physician, Confederate veteran, 
b. 20 Jul 1845, Courtland, d. 29 Apr 1931, at home, Suffolk, 
interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery (Block C, Lot 70*), Suffolk, 1 May 1931, 
"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 33, Wed., Apr. 29, 1931, pp. 1 & 5 

*Additional information: 

Buried with his first wife (1841 - 1893).  Cedar Hill list, an extension 
   of the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_m.txt 

Photos of his gravestone - added by Hixburg23958 & Jake Dog - are posted with 
   Find a Grave Memorial #9799234. 

His parents are buried in Block D, Lot 45. 

D.Cert. 10167 (Suffolk #118) gives his middle name as Wilkins. 

He 2m. Rita BUTLER, daughter of George Washington & Annie Elizabeth 
   (FAIRCLOTH) BUTLER, 4 Sep 1917 in Sampson Co., NC.  William applied for 
   a passport 18 Sep 1917 for their wedding trip to Jamaica.  Rita applied 
   for a pension 26 Oct 1935 in Suffolk, stating they m. 4 Oct 1917 in Salem 
   [Salemburg, NC?].  Rita (1886 - 1978) is buried with her parents in the 
   G.W. BUTLER family cemetery in Roseboro, Sampson Co., NC. 

****************************************************************************** 

"Norfolk Virginian," Vol. 54, No. 118, Wed., Oct. 6, 1897, p. 7 

TOWN OF SUFFOLK 

CAUGHT ON THE TRACK 

Allen Rabey's Horse Killed and His Cart Knocked to Flinders. 

HIS INJURIES MAY RESULT FATALLY 

Taking Depositions in the January Case - 
   Dr. Eley Thirsts for Revenge on His Persecutors - 
   Monopoly in Coal, Ice and Feed Business - Briefs of a General Nature. 

  Suffolk, Va., Oct. 5. - (Special) - Mr. Allen Rabey had a narrow escape from 
death at 9 o'clock this morning.  While driving in a cart to Portsmouth he was 
struck by a Norfolk and Carolina train at Beaman's [sic; Beamon's] Crossing, 
four miles from Suffolk.  His horse was thrown twenty feet and instantly 
killed, the cart knocked into match wood and Rabey badly used up.  He may die 
from the injuries, but the chances are in favor of recovery. 

  North-bound passenger train No. 102 did the work.  Rabey claims the train 
didn't blow till his horse was on the rails and the crash came before the 
crossing could be cleared.  Peter Brinkley was following Rabey in another 
cart, and his horse became frightened, turned the vehicle over and hurt the 
occupant slightly.  Rabey was going to Portsmouth to sell a load of grapes and 
apples. 

  The wounded man was put on South-bound express No. 49 and brought to 
Suffolk, where he was given attention by Dr. W.W. Murray, surgeon of the 
railroad company.  Dr. Murray found Rabey suffering from a gash in the head 
two inches long, a broken arm and a slight abrasion over the eye.  Besides he 
was badly shocked and very sore.  After surgical attention was rendered the 
wounded man was sent to his home, threes miles beyond Cypress Chapel.  Rabey 
looks to be 53 years old.  He has a family. 


"Norfolk Landmark," Vol. 45, No. 84, Wed., Oct. 6, 1897, p. 2 

SUFFOLK. 

Many Matters of Interest Picked Up in and Around Town. 

        Special to the Landmark. 

  Suffolk, Va., October 5. - About 9:15 o'clock this morning the north-bound 
train, No. 10, on the Norfolk and Carolina railroad, which passes Suffolk at 
9:25, ran into Mr. Allen Rabey's horse and cart about four and a half miles 
below Suffolk and killed the horse instantly, tore the cart into splinters and 
badly injured Mr. Rabey.  Mr. Peter Brinkley and Mr. Rabey were on their way 
to Norfolk, each with a load of grapes and country produce, and were driving 
across the track, Rabey being in the lead.  A heavy northeast wind was blowing 
almost directly in the faces of the men, and at the point where Rabey was 
struck the railroad runs practically northeast, so that both the train and 
carts were bearing in a northeasterly direction, with the train coming up 
behind the men somewhat, and taking their statement for the truth, the engine 
did not sound the whistle until too close to the carts to avert the accident. 
When they heard the whistle they could not back off, as the horse was on the 
track and the wheels almost touching the south rail of the track.  Brinkley's 
horse became unmanagable and ran into the ditch, turning his cart over and 
spilling its contents, but the occupant was not hurt.  Rabey was thrown with 
his horse and cart about thirty yards and received a compound fracture of the 
left arm just above and below the elbow joint and a cut on the top of the head 
about two inches long.  The train was brought to a stand-still about 150 yards 
from the spot where the collision took place, and after noting the result of 
the accident the train proceeded on its way and notified No. 49, due here at 
9:45 o'clock from Norfolk, which train stopped, took up the men and brought 
them to Suffolk.  Dr. W.W. Murray rendered the necessary surgical assistance 
and this afternoon the men returned to their homes, near Cypress Chapel.  Dr. 
Murray says there may be internal injury but there is no evidence of same at 
this time.  He further states that it is possible for Rabey to have a stiff 
elbow from the effect of his injuries.  The horse killed was a very valuable 
one.  It is surmised that a law suit will follow. 


"Suffolk News-Herald," Vol. 15, No. 305, Thurs., Mar. 17, 1938, p. 4 

OLD TIMES 
In Suffolk 
BY OLD TIMER 

(From the files of the Suffolk Herald of June, 1899.) 

TRAIN WRECK NEAR CITY 

  On Friday night, June 9, 1899, at 9:15 o'clock, a terrible wreck occurred on 
the Norfolk and Western railroad, at a point about one mile west of Suffolk, 
and a few yards east of the bridge across lake Kilby. 

  It is supposed that the heavy rains or a water-spout caused an undermining 
of the embankment, and as a train of empty coal cars came along at the hour 
named above the engine crushed through the weak spot, and the tender and seven 
cars were piled upon top of the great throbbing machine in a terrible wreck. 

CONDUCTOR SOWERS HERO 

  As soon as the wreck occurred Conductor Sowers ran back to Suffolk through 
a heavy rain and darkness, in order to telegraph to Windsor and stop No. 4 
east-bound passenger train, which was almost due at the scene of the accident, 
and but for the presence of mind there might have been still greater loss of 
life. 

  Fireman William Pool was instantly killed, while at his post of duty, his 
body and limbs being severed at the hips.  Engineer Walter A. Clayton was 
pinioned in his cab, shut out from sight, but his piteous appeals for help 
could be plainly heard. 

YOUNG MEN LEND AID 

  For four hours he was imprisoned, and was then extricated by a noble band of 
young men from Suffolk, who worked indefatigably for his rescue.  Mr. Clayton 
died a few minutes after he was put on the relief train.  The brave engineer 
was a Christian, and while he was in a dying condition in the wreckage, sent 
a message to his loved ones, that his faith in God was sustaining him to the 
end. 

  Brakeman William Wells, colored, had one arm cut off and was otherwise badly 
injured.  He was brought to Suffolk, where he died at 5:10 a.m. 

DR. MURRAY CALLED 

  Dr. W.W. Murray, the railroad's surgeon at Suffolk, was sent to the scene of 
the wreck on a hand-car, having been summoned by Agent W.B. Hawkins, as soon 
as possible after the wreck occurred.  The doctor rendered all possible 
assistance to the sufferers. 

  The bodies of the victims were prepared for burial by Messrs. R.W. Baker and 
Company, and forwarded to Crewe on the following morning. 


"Suffolk News-Herald," Vol. 16, No. 26, Thurs., April 21, 1938, p. 2 

OLD TIMES 
In Suffolk 
BY OLD TIMER 

(From the files of the Suffolk Herald of March, 1900) 

DR. MURRAY RUN DOWN 

  On Monday morning, March 12, 1900, the horse attached to the Suffolk Steam 
Laundry's delivery wagon took fright and ran away.  Dr. W.W. Murray, while 
crossing Main street from Mr. Wallace Kilby's corner toward his office, was 
struck in the back by the shaft of the wagon, knocked down, entangled in the 
wheels, and carried about thirty feet, where he fell upon his back.  He was 
picked up in an unconscious state and carried into M. Jones and Son's store 
and resuscitated, after which he was taken to his home.  Drs. Whitehead and 
John E. Phillips rendered medical assistance and left him as comfortable as 
could be expected.  The injuries of Dr. Murray, while painful, were not of a 
serious nature, and the next day he was reported as resting easily, though 
quite weak. 


"Suffolk News-Herald," Vol. 16, No. 32, Thurs., April 28, 1938, p. 4 

OLD TIMES 
In Suffolk 
BY OLD TIMER 

(From The Files Of The Suffolk Herald of June, 1900) 

[...] 

TELEPHONE MANAGER FALLS 

  On Tuesday morning, June 26, 1900, Mr. I.H. Gaither, general manager of the 
Nansemond Telephone Company, while attempting to place a cable seat in from of 
the new office of his company, on Riddick street, lost his foothold and fell a 
distance of about 18 feet to the crushed granite paving below.  He was taken 
up hurredly and conveyed to his home, where Drs. W.W. Murray and J.M. Gibson 
attended him and made him as comfortable as possible.  Mr. Gaither's right arm 
and shoulder and his feet were badly bruised, a severe gash over his right eye 
and a bad bruise on his hip being the most painful of his injuries. 


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file at: 
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