From the NEW YORK TIMES, February 3, 1884:
Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 2 - Edward Niederer died today of water at the base of the brain, after an illness of six hours. He came to America with his parents from Switzerland when a small boy, and settled early in life at New Orleans. He went out as Captain under Walker in the celebrated Nicaragua expedition, and was one of the few survivors of that desperate undertaking.
At the breaking out of the war, he joined the Confederate forces in Virginia, was detailed to the Commissary Department, and in that capacity went to Arkansas, from where he sent millions of dollars' worth of beef through the lines to the army, proving very expert and successful in the work. In the beginning of the year 1863 he was sent on a secret mission to Europe, and after his return he was made Captain of the Secret Service. In this office he had a great deal to do getting medicines and cotton, coming to Memphis, where he established himself for that purpose, opening a saloon as a blind. After the close of the war he continued the saloon business, and at the time of his death had accumulated a large fortune. He had an insurance policy of $60,000 on his life in the Atlantic Mutual. He was about 62 years old.
He was regarded as one of the most peculiar characters in this part of the country. He was reticent about his private affairs to an extraordinary extent, and, though shrewd and intelligent, made the invariable impression that he was a fool. This made him peculiarly fitted for the work given him during the war. In former days he was one of the best poker players in the South, at one time, now recalled, betting $10,000 on a hand. At these games his face was absolutely immovable. He rarely lost, and was lucky enough during his life to draw three capital prizes in a lottery.
Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 2 - Edward Niederer died today of water at the base of the brain, after an illness of six hours. He came to America with his parents from Switzerland when a small boy, and settled early in life at New Orleans. He went out as Captain under Walker in the celebrated Nicaragua expedition, and was one of the few survivors of that desperate undertaking.
At the breaking out of the war, he joined the Confederate forces in Virginia, was detailed to the Commissary Department, and in that capacity went to Arkansas, from where he sent millions of dollars' worth of beef through the lines to the army, proving very expert and successful in the work. In the beginning of the year 1863 he was sent on a secret mission to Europe, and after his return he was made Captain of the Secret Service. In this office he had a great deal to do getting medicines and cotton, coming to Memphis, where he established himself for that purpose, opening a saloon as a blind. After the close of the war he continued the saloon business, and at the time of his death had accumulated a large fortune. He had an insurance policy of $60,000 on his life in the Atlantic Mutual. He was about 62 years old.
He was regarded as one of the most peculiar characters in this part of the country. He was reticent about his private affairs to an extraordinary extent, and, though shrewd and intelligent, made the invariable impression that he was a fool. This made him peculiarly fitted for the work given him during the war. In former days he was one of the best poker players in the South, at one time, now recalled, betting $10,000 on a hand. At these games his face was absolutely immovable. He rarely lost, and was lucky enough during his life to draw three capital prizes in a lottery.
From the NEW YORK TIMES, February 3, 1884:
Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 2 - Edward Niederer died today of water at the base of the brain, after an illness of six hours. He came to America with his parents from Switzerland when a small boy, and settled early in life at New Orleans. He went out as Captain under Walker in the celebrated Nicaragua expedition, and was one of the few survivors of that desperate undertaking.
At the breaking out of the war, he joined the Confederate forces in Virginia, was detailed to the Commissary Department, and in that capacity went to Arkansas, from where he sent millions of dollars' worth of beef through the lines to the army, proving very expert and successful in the work. In the beginning of the year 1863 he was sent on a secret mission to Europe, and after his return he was made Captain of the Secret Service. In this office he had a great deal to do getting medicines and cotton, coming to Memphis, where he established himself for that purpose, opening a saloon as a blind. After the close of the war he continued the saloon business, and at the time of his death had accumulated a large fortune. He had an insurance policy of $60,000 on his life in the Atlantic Mutual. He was about 62 years old.
He was regarded as one of the most peculiar characters in this part of the country. He was reticent about his private affairs to an extraordinary extent, and, though shrewd and intelligent, made the invariable impression that he was a fool. This made him peculiarly fitted for the work given him during the war. In former days he was one of the best poker players in the South, at one time, now recalled, betting $10,000 on a hand. At these games his face was absolutely immovable. He rarely lost, and was lucky enough during his life to draw three capital prizes in a lottery.
Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 2 - Edward Niederer died today of water at the base of the brain, after an illness of six hours. He came to America with his parents from Switzerland when a small boy, and settled early in life at New Orleans. He went out as Captain under Walker in the celebrated Nicaragua expedition, and was one of the few survivors of that desperate undertaking.
At the breaking out of the war, he joined the Confederate forces in Virginia, was detailed to the Commissary Department, and in that capacity went to Arkansas, from where he sent millions of dollars' worth of beef through the lines to the army, proving very expert and successful in the work. In the beginning of the year 1863 he was sent on a secret mission to Europe, and after his return he was made Captain of the Secret Service. In this office he had a great deal to do getting medicines and cotton, coming to Memphis, where he established himself for that purpose, opening a saloon as a blind. After the close of the war he continued the saloon business, and at the time of his death had accumulated a large fortune. He had an insurance policy of $60,000 on his life in the Atlantic Mutual. He was about 62 years old.
He was regarded as one of the most peculiar characters in this part of the country. He was reticent about his private affairs to an extraordinary extent, and, though shrewd and intelligent, made the invariable impression that he was a fool. This made him peculiarly fitted for the work given him during the war. In former days he was one of the best poker players in the South, at one time, now recalled, betting $10,000 on a hand. At these games his face was absolutely immovable. He rarely lost, and was lucky enough during his life to draw three capital prizes in a lottery.
Family Members
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
