The Star
8 Sep 1897
"Old Massa" Dead.
Hiram Aldridge, better known as "Old Massa," whose death was not unexpected; departed this life at Hotel Imperial on Wednesday morning, September 1st, after The Star had gone to press. Heart trouble was the main cause of his demise, although his constitution was in a bad condition. Funeral services were held at Hotel Imperial Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Crawford, pastor of the M.E. church. The interment was made in Beulah cemetery. The deceased had relatives, but none of them came to see him before he died nor to attend his funeral. The pall bearers were Notary Public Albert Reynolds, Capt. Charles Tilton Reynolds, William Wiley, John Cottle, Robert Muir, and John Goodwill.
"Old Massa" was an enigma to his friends in this place. He had a past history which he guarded carefully at all times and in all conditions, although various attempts were made to get him to throw some light on his past, but his lips were sealed on that point. He has a sister in Chicago, who is a millionaire, who sent him a check every three months for $300.00, and this seemed to be the only acknowledgement of relationship existing between them. He has a son living in one of the southern states whom "Massa" had not seen for twenty-six years.
During the war, "Massa" was a railroad conductor and car builder and after the war closed he continued the car building for some time. At one time he was a wealthy man.
"Old Massa" was a kind hearted fellow and, notwithstanding his failings, had a number of warm friends here who were sorry to see him placed beneath the sod.
8 Sep 1897
"Old Massa" Dead.
Hiram Aldridge, better known as "Old Massa," whose death was not unexpected; departed this life at Hotel Imperial on Wednesday morning, September 1st, after The Star had gone to press. Heart trouble was the main cause of his demise, although his constitution was in a bad condition. Funeral services were held at Hotel Imperial Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Crawford, pastor of the M.E. church. The interment was made in Beulah cemetery. The deceased had relatives, but none of them came to see him before he died nor to attend his funeral. The pall bearers were Notary Public Albert Reynolds, Capt. Charles Tilton Reynolds, William Wiley, John Cottle, Robert Muir, and John Goodwill.
"Old Massa" was an enigma to his friends in this place. He had a past history which he guarded carefully at all times and in all conditions, although various attempts were made to get him to throw some light on his past, but his lips were sealed on that point. He has a sister in Chicago, who is a millionaire, who sent him a check every three months for $300.00, and this seemed to be the only acknowledgement of relationship existing between them. He has a son living in one of the southern states whom "Massa" had not seen for twenty-six years.
During the war, "Massa" was a railroad conductor and car builder and after the war closed he continued the car building for some time. At one time he was a wealthy man.
"Old Massa" was a kind hearted fellow and, notwithstanding his failings, had a number of warm friends here who were sorry to see him placed beneath the sod.
The Star
8 Sep 1897
"Old Massa" Dead.
Hiram Aldridge, better known as "Old Massa," whose death was not unexpected; departed this life at Hotel Imperial on Wednesday morning, September 1st, after The Star had gone to press. Heart trouble was the main cause of his demise, although his constitution was in a bad condition. Funeral services were held at Hotel Imperial Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Crawford, pastor of the M.E. church. The interment was made in Beulah cemetery. The deceased had relatives, but none of them came to see him before he died nor to attend his funeral. The pall bearers were Notary Public Albert Reynolds, Capt. Charles Tilton Reynolds, William Wiley, John Cottle, Robert Muir, and John Goodwill.
"Old Massa" was an enigma to his friends in this place. He had a past history which he guarded carefully at all times and in all conditions, although various attempts were made to get him to throw some light on his past, but his lips were sealed on that point. He has a sister in Chicago, who is a millionaire, who sent him a check every three months for $300.00, and this seemed to be the only acknowledgement of relationship existing between them. He has a son living in one of the southern states whom "Massa" had not seen for twenty-six years.
During the war, "Massa" was a railroad conductor and car builder and after the war closed he continued the car building for some time. At one time he was a wealthy man.
"Old Massa" was a kind hearted fellow and, notwithstanding his failings, had a number of warm friends here who were sorry to see him placed beneath the sod.
8 Sep 1897
"Old Massa" Dead.
Hiram Aldridge, better known as "Old Massa," whose death was not unexpected; departed this life at Hotel Imperial on Wednesday morning, September 1st, after The Star had gone to press. Heart trouble was the main cause of his demise, although his constitution was in a bad condition. Funeral services were held at Hotel Imperial Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Crawford, pastor of the M.E. church. The interment was made in Beulah cemetery. The deceased had relatives, but none of them came to see him before he died nor to attend his funeral. The pall bearers were Notary Public Albert Reynolds, Capt. Charles Tilton Reynolds, William Wiley, John Cottle, Robert Muir, and John Goodwill.
"Old Massa" was an enigma to his friends in this place. He had a past history which he guarded carefully at all times and in all conditions, although various attempts were made to get him to throw some light on his past, but his lips were sealed on that point. He has a sister in Chicago, who is a millionaire, who sent him a check every three months for $300.00, and this seemed to be the only acknowledgement of relationship existing between them. He has a son living in one of the southern states whom "Massa" had not seen for twenty-six years.
During the war, "Massa" was a railroad conductor and car builder and after the war closed he continued the car building for some time. At one time he was a wealthy man.
"Old Massa" was a kind hearted fellow and, notwithstanding his failings, had a number of warm friends here who were sorry to see him placed beneath the sod.
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