The Progress-Index from Petersburg, Virginia • Page 89

THE PROGftESS-INDEX CENTENNIAL EDITION JULY 4, 1965 The Captain Founded A Noted School A Petersburg institution which came into being a few months after The Daily'Index was founded was Captain William Gordon McCabe's University School young former Confederate captain of artillery opened his school in the fall of 1865. He conducted it in Petersburg for 30 years before moving to Richmond, where he continued it for several years before retiring. Captain McCabe was a friend of Anthony M. Keiley and visited him in London during his residence there during Keiley's last years. Captain McCabe seems to have had some connection with the Daily Press in Petersburg and with The Index, although the point is obscure.

The Index-Appeal in an 1883 article reviewing its history listed McCabe among those who "have labored on its departments and found utterance through its columns." FAMOUS SCHOOLMASTER There is also a published report of a connection with The Daily News of 1873. However Captain McCabe's duties as a successful schoolmaster and his numerous other activities make it unlikely that he found time to be more than a contributor to any newspaper. There is a well known story of a wry connection between his school at its outset with The Daily Index. Supposedly the latter published a would-be complimentary notice of the new school and said that it would be conducted by "a battle-scared veteran of the War." Since "battle-scarred" rather than "battle-scared" was character of his military career, the schoolmaster asked for a correction. He got it.

The correction described him as "a bottle-scarred veteran of the War." The explanation, so the story goes, was that some of his former comrades in arms had bribed the proof-reader. Anyway, it made a good story on Captain McCabe, who himself was a great raconteur. Whenever it was told, he would counter with the story of an advertisement of a certain religious book published by Harpers. The title of the book was SITE OF A FAMOUS SCHOOL This' markerf section of South Sycamore and Fillmore streets, recalls the University School which Captain William Gordon McCabe, Confederate artillerist-turned-schoolmaster, conducted there for many years. "Light at Eventide: A Book of Consolation for the Aged." The advertisement substituted a capital for the first letter of the title.

Like some other good stories, this one may be lacking in documentation. However, The Daily Index in its issue of July 15, 1865, published this matter-of- fact notice: Gordon McCabe proposes to open a school for boys in Petersburg, if the requisite number of scholars are engaged by the 15th of August." FTCST COMMANDER Among his numerous local distinctions and connections, which included an admirable address on the defense of Petersburg, was that he was the first commander of A.P. Hill Camp of Confederate Veterans. Among the group of men and women of letters who brought distinction to Virginia Captain William Gordon McCabe occupied a prominent place. He was born in Richmond, August, 1841.

His' father, the son of a distinguished of ficer of 1 the revolution, was a clergyman, noted not only in his profession, but also as an authority on Colonial history and as a poet of no mean talent. After a preparatory course, in which he distinguished himself above his fellows, and after serving a short apprenticeship as tutor, he entered the University of Virginia in 1860. His stay was destined to be short, for the secession of Virginia was the signal for him, along with many of his fellow students, to hasten to the front in a student corps known as the "Southern Guards." He entered the army as a private, but because of his conspicuous gallantry and devotion he was promoted through the various grades till the end of the war found him a captain of artillery and adjutant of Pegram's battalion. FULL CAREER His career embraced the Peninsular Campaign, Chancellorsville, service at Charleston, with the gallant Pegram's artillery in the great battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, and after Appomattox, he joined General Johnson of North Carolina in the vain hope of renewing the struggle. In October, 1865, Captain McCabe founded in Petersburg the University School, with so vast an influence in shaping the character arid ideals of the young gentry of Virginia as not inaptly to be compared with Rugby in its prime.

During this period of teaching Capt. McCabe was active in many other ways. His fame as a Latinist was based on his profound studies in that language, as attested by his numerous pub- W. GORDON McCABE lications, and the evidence of his learned colleagues. As a writer ol graceful verse he had come into notice through the pages of the Southern Literary Messenger and now his forceful prose gainec him added reputation, while his forensic ability and his wit made him a welcome guest in everj gathering.

In recognition of his scholar ship and literary abilities Cap tain McCabe had conferred on him the degree of Master Arts by the College of William and Mary and by Williams Col lege in Massachusetts, that Doctor of Letters by Yale in 1897, and that of Doctor of Law by the College of William and Mary in 1906. MOVED TO RICHMOND His 1895 removal from Pe tersburg to Richmond was the oc casion of a farewell dinner. recalled vividly his coming Petersburg as a soldier of th Army of Northern Virginia anc his return as a young veterat seeking to establish himself. Th feature of his school upon which he dwelled was its honor sys tern. Day Of Fasting (April 11, 1864) In Petersburg, to all outwaw appearances, the fast day was well observed.

The houses business were all closed, and the streets except when the congregations were going to or return ing from their respective places of worship, were almost as quie as at midnight. The churche: were all thronged, and sermon appropriate and more or les, eloquent were delivered. Saluting The Area On This Centennial Occasion a Dedicated To Service For 35 Years! Since 1930 when Vincent H. Poppa started the monument and stone manufacturing business in Ettrick, Va. this business has maintained a steady growth.

Later, in 1932, the business moved to North South Street in Petersburg-and stayed there until 1939. At this time the operation moved to its present location. Vincent Poppa, the father of the present owner and manager; James Poppa, was a decendant of Greci, Italy and died in 1960. He was a dedicated man and well known throughout our community and throughout his many years in the stone manufacturing business he had a determination to be a dependable friend to his customers and associates. The business today is continuing to grow with the community furnishing the needs of the area with related items such as: Granite and Marble Monuments and Markers Mausoleums Picnic Tables Lawn Benches Fireplaces Concrete Products V.

H. POPPA MONUMENTS JAMES (.. POPPA, OwiKr-Menoger S. CRATER ROAD PETERSBURG DIAL RE 2-4341 "Show Me The Manner In Which A Nation Cares For Its Dead And I Will Measure With Mathematical Exactness The Tender Sympathies Of The People, Their Respect For The Laws Of The Land, And Their Loyalty To High Ideals' ---GLADSTONE--- About the same time as the Civil War raged on in America, William Gladstone was at the height of a 60-year career as public servant to his native England. A humanitarian with strong religious convictions as well as a great statesman, Gladstone made the above, statement with the frankness and deep feeling which marked every deed of his lifetime.

And even before the Civil War began--in 1856 to be exact--James Tolleison Morriss founded our firm with the realization that care of a loved one is important not only to the family involved but to the nation as a whole. Every service Mr. Morriss ever directed, and every service we've directed since, has refected the sentiment and compassion which have made America great. Every service has reflected the individual dignity of man even af-ter life has ended, and the loyalty to high ideals of all our country's people. The years between 1856 and 1965 have wrought many changes in Morriss Funeral Home's facilities, equipment and techniques of service.

But our manner of service, in accordance with wishes of the individual and the principles of a nation, is one 'thing which never has changed-- and we pledge that it never will. T. MORRISS SON. Inc "Established 1856" "Serving Historic South side Virginia From Petersburg And Hopewell".