Mdiicshhaeelr
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In the heart of Richmond, 1300 Ross and Governor Street, four stories and 31 rooms, was built across from the Governor’s mansion in antebellum Virginia by Dr. John Cullen. A founding member of the Medical College of Virginia, 1838, the largest and second oldest medical school in Virginia.
From the Paducah Evening Sun, Dec. 16, 1909.
‘RICHMOND, VA—Skeletons were found today in a sealed dungeon 10 feet below the surface of the street by workman demolishing the old building at Governor and Ross Street.
‘Under a bricked-over trap door they found the remains of a man and a woman. The bones were covered with mold and crumbling to pieces with age. Not the slightest clue was furnished as to their identity. The damp mold was examined for buttons or pieces of Jewelry, but nothing was found save a small Fragment of cloth and several wisps of reddish-brown hair.
‘The cell is of a solid-brick construction, even the floor being paved. It is divided into two connecting chambers. The door leading through the roof had been sealed down, no one knows how many years ago, and brick paving laid over it.
‘In one of the chambers was the skeleton of a woman. By the body remains and old iron dish or frying pan.
‘Some distance from the skeleton was found parts of the skull which had been dragged away by rats. Several teeth picked up indicated that the woman was young, the teeth being sharp and smooth and excellently preserved. Lying near to the skeletons were found the skulls of two enormous rats, which have been dead so long that only the heavier bones remain.
…
‘According to the best information available, the house was built in the early 1840s by wealthy Irishman Dr. John Cullen. After his death in 1852, the house changed hands several times and was during and immediately after the war, The Richmond House, one of the first hotels in the city. It was later used as a clubhouse, but converted into a hospital in 1889 and for the following years was the property of the late Dr. Hunter McGuire.
…
‘A beautiful daughter of a former resident of the house and several unfortunate love affairs which she was connected. The young lady was named Atelia—no last name. For love of her a young man named George Spalding, he committed suicide, while another man, Thomas Wynn, is said to have been mysteriously murdered in a quarrel in which her name was mentioned.
…
‘The position of the skeleton would indicate that the woman or young lady died lying at full length. The bones of the other skeleton show that the man died while crouching or kneeling in a corner.’
From The Daily Dispatch, September 25, 1852
‘Miss Atelia Cullen.
‘List of letters remaining in the Richmond Post Office on the 25th September,1852.’
I couldn't find anything else of any real relevance on Atelia Cullen. Which is to really say I found nothing else at all. And try as I might, days and days of searching, I found nothing at all on a Thomas Wynn with any, even brief, relation to the Cullen's.
From Richmond Daily Whig, June 2, 1846
‘Melancholy event
‘The sudden death of Dr. George W. Spalding (which was omitted to notice, though feelings of delicacy, in our last,) created a very general and painful sensation throughout our city on Saturday last. The young and estimable gentleman gave early promise of a life of usefulness; and previous to his melancholy end, he had commenced the practice of his profession in this city with fair prospects of success. The cause of his melancholy act has not been ascertained—though from his conversation a short time before his death, it is supposed Dr. Spalding was suffering slight mental alienation.
‘The coroner’s jury, who held an inquest over the body of the deceased, had the following developments laid before them. Viz: “That the deceased, a short time, say an hour before his death, was at Mr. Hoover’s hat store, and talking in his usual pleasant mood, on different subjects about his trip to the National Fair, his patients, &c. He then purchased a hat, and left the store.
‘From thence, it is supposed, he went to Dr. Cullen’s office, and took away nearly an ounce vial full of prussic acid—being accustomed to go there and take at his will whatever medicine he might need, having formerly been a student of Dr. Cullen’s. Thence he went to the Waverly House, [kept by Mr. Wm. Howlett,] where his brother [son-in-law to Mr. Howlett,] resides. While there, he held a conversation with the lady house-keeper of the establishment—he conversed, as usual, and, among other things, said, “Everyone seems desirous of binding me down,” or words of similar purport. In a few moments, the lady turned towards him, and observed him holding a tumbler in his hand, three parts filled, apparently with hydrant water, which he immediately drank off, saying to her, “I have taken poison—prussic acid—and shall soon be a dead man.” He walked up stairs, to his brother’s room, and laid down. The lady gave the alarm; physicians were immediately sent for: Doctors Deane, Watkins, Maupin, Bohannan and Cullen arrived in the course of 15 or 20 minutes but there was no chance of saving the young man;—he died about 20 or 25 minutes after taking the poison.”
From The Times Dispatch, April 15, 1906
‘George Willet Spalding … several physicians were there, and among them none more distressed than Dr. John Cullen, his unfailing friend and admirer.’
Though a handful of Thomas Wynns were found, none were found to be a perfect match for the one mysteriously murdered.
In 1855, it was under the care of a Miss Hannah Ring, who was “prepared to accommodate permanent and transient boarders on very reasonable terms. The central location of the house renders it desirable residence for gentleman heaving business in the city.”
In 1856, there was a fire a Richmond House and Miss Hannah Ring was “a heavy sufferer. For years this most worthy lady has toiled with incessant industry, and had made but the little more than a support for her aged mother, her sisters and herself.”
“Thoroughly repaired and newly painted,” the Richmond house was open again, July 13, 1867.
In 1879, The Commercial Club, organized January 28, 1878, took up residence. “NO. 1300 Ross Street, (Known as the Richmond House,) was leased and handsomely furnished to meet the requirements of the members, and their visiting friends. Recently the entire building has been leased by the club, and the Richmond Chamber of Commerce have secured apartments in the building, where they now hold their meetings.
“The club was established for the joint promotion of business and social intercourse, and especially for the purpose of entertaining merchants visiting the city.
“The annual meeting of the club is held on the last Monday in January each year.”
“Among the attractions of its rooms is an extensive collection of geological specimens and archeological implements, the latter, relics of our aboriginal inhabitants.”
The “Chamber of Commerce” also “meets the second Thursday in each month at their hall in the commercial club building: 1300 Ross Street.”
By 1883, St. Luke’s opened “under the management of a number the prominent ladies of that city, and under medical and surgical charge of Drs. Hunter Holmes McGuire, Hugh M. Taylor and Lewis Wheat.
“The institution will prove a benefit beyond computation, to the afflicted of the state and is worthy of the confidence and support of the people generally.”
“The building opposite the Governor’s Mansion and Capitol Square, is centrally located and admirably constructed for the purpose of which is devoted. It’s ventilation is perfect. The rooms are large, light, airy and well furnished. A majority of the rooms front on Capitol Sq. and others overlook Manchester, the river and the country around. A passenger elevator makes the upper rooms almost desirable as the lower. Open fire places in every room. Resident physicians, experienced matrons, trained nurses, good cuisine, electric bells, lights and telephones.
“No patients with contagious diseases, or insanity, received.
“For further information, address, Dr. Hunter McGuire, or Dr. Stuart McGuire, Richmond, Va.”
“Room board and nursing including massage and electricity, when prescribed. From $9:00 to $15.00 per week, payable weekly to the matron.”
In 1895, construction was started on a new location, corner of Grace and Harrison street, for St. Luke’s after it outgrew the Richmond House, which could “accommodate as many as forty-eight patients. Surgery was performed in patient rooms on a portable table.
“Four years after it opened, McGuire organized a training school for nurses, the first of its kind in Virginia.”
From the Paducah Evening Sun, Dec. 16, 1909.
‘RICHMOND, VA—Skeletons were found today in a sealed dungeon 10 feet below the surface of the street by workman demolishing the old building at Governor and Ross Street.
‘Under a bricked-over trap door they found the remains of a man and a woman. The bones were covered with mold and crumbling to pieces with age. Not the slightest clue was furnished as to their identity. The damp mold was examined for buttons or pieces of Jewelry, but nothing was found save a small Fragment of cloth and several wisps of reddish-brown hair.
‘The cell is of a solid-brick construction, even the floor being paved. It is divided into two connecting chambers. The door leading through the roof had been sealed down, no one knows how many years ago, and brick paving laid over it.
‘In one of the chambers was the skeleton of a woman. By the body remains and old iron dish or frying pan.
‘Some distance from the skeleton was found parts of the skull which had been dragged away by rats. Several teeth picked up indicated that the woman was young, the teeth being sharp and smooth and excellently preserved. Lying near to the skeletons were found the skulls of two enormous rats, which have been dead so long that only the heavier bones remain.
…
‘According to the best information available, the house was built in the early 1840s by wealthy Irishman Dr. John Cullen. After his death in 1852, the house changed hands several times and was during and immediately after the war, The Richmond House, one of the first hotels in the city. It was later used as a clubhouse, but converted into a hospital in 1889 and for the following years was the property of the late Dr. Hunter McGuire.
…
‘A beautiful daughter of a former resident of the house and several unfortunate love affairs which she was connected. The young lady was named Atelia—no last name. For love of her a young man named George Spalding, he committed suicide, while another man, Thomas Wynn, is said to have been mysteriously murdered in a quarrel in which her name was mentioned.
…
‘The position of the skeleton would indicate that the woman or young lady died lying at full length. The bones of the other skeleton show that the man died while crouching or kneeling in a corner.’
From The Daily Dispatch, September 25, 1852
‘Miss Atelia Cullen.
‘List of letters remaining in the Richmond Post Office on the 25th September,1852.’
I couldn't find anything else of any real relevance on Atelia Cullen. Which is to really say I found nothing else at all. And try as I might, days and days of searching, I found nothing at all on a Thomas Wynn with any, even brief, relation to the Cullen's.
From Richmond Daily Whig, June 2, 1846
‘Melancholy event
‘The sudden death of Dr. George W. Spalding (which was omitted to notice, though feelings of delicacy, in our last,) created a very general and painful sensation throughout our city on Saturday last. The young and estimable gentleman gave early promise of a life of usefulness; and previous to his melancholy end, he had commenced the practice of his profession in this city with fair prospects of success. The cause of his melancholy act has not been ascertained—though from his conversation a short time before his death, it is supposed Dr. Spalding was suffering slight mental alienation.
‘The coroner’s jury, who held an inquest over the body of the deceased, had the following developments laid before them. Viz: “That the deceased, a short time, say an hour before his death, was at Mr. Hoover’s hat store, and talking in his usual pleasant mood, on different subjects about his trip to the National Fair, his patients, &c. He then purchased a hat, and left the store.
‘From thence, it is supposed, he went to Dr. Cullen’s office, and took away nearly an ounce vial full of prussic acid—being accustomed to go there and take at his will whatever medicine he might need, having formerly been a student of Dr. Cullen’s. Thence he went to the Waverly House, [kept by Mr. Wm. Howlett,] where his brother [son-in-law to Mr. Howlett,] resides. While there, he held a conversation with the lady house-keeper of the establishment—he conversed, as usual, and, among other things, said, “Everyone seems desirous of binding me down,” or words of similar purport. In a few moments, the lady turned towards him, and observed him holding a tumbler in his hand, three parts filled, apparently with hydrant water, which he immediately drank off, saying to her, “I have taken poison—prussic acid—and shall soon be a dead man.” He walked up stairs, to his brother’s room, and laid down. The lady gave the alarm; physicians were immediately sent for: Doctors Deane, Watkins, Maupin, Bohannan and Cullen arrived in the course of 15 or 20 minutes but there was no chance of saving the young man;—he died about 20 or 25 minutes after taking the poison.”
From The Times Dispatch, April 15, 1906
‘George Willet Spalding … several physicians were there, and among them none more distressed than Dr. John Cullen, his unfailing friend and admirer.’
Though a handful of Thomas Wynns were found, none were found to be a perfect match for the one mysteriously murdered.
In 1855, it was under the care of a Miss Hannah Ring, who was “prepared to accommodate permanent and transient boarders on very reasonable terms. The central location of the house renders it desirable residence for gentleman heaving business in the city.”
In 1856, there was a fire a Richmond House and Miss Hannah Ring was “a heavy sufferer. For years this most worthy lady has toiled with incessant industry, and had made but the little more than a support for her aged mother, her sisters and herself.”
“Thoroughly repaired and newly painted,” the Richmond house was open again, July 13, 1867.
In 1879, The Commercial Club, organized January 28, 1878, took up residence. “NO. 1300 Ross Street, (Known as the Richmond House,) was leased and handsomely furnished to meet the requirements of the members, and their visiting friends. Recently the entire building has been leased by the club, and the Richmond Chamber of Commerce have secured apartments in the building, where they now hold their meetings.
“The club was established for the joint promotion of business and social intercourse, and especially for the purpose of entertaining merchants visiting the city.
“The annual meeting of the club is held on the last Monday in January each year.”
“Among the attractions of its rooms is an extensive collection of geological specimens and archeological implements, the latter, relics of our aboriginal inhabitants.”
The “Chamber of Commerce” also “meets the second Thursday in each month at their hall in the commercial club building: 1300 Ross Street.”
By 1883, St. Luke’s opened “under the management of a number the prominent ladies of that city, and under medical and surgical charge of Drs. Hunter Holmes McGuire, Hugh M. Taylor and Lewis Wheat.
“The institution will prove a benefit beyond computation, to the afflicted of the state and is worthy of the confidence and support of the people generally.”
“The building opposite the Governor’s Mansion and Capitol Square, is centrally located and admirably constructed for the purpose of which is devoted. It’s ventilation is perfect. The rooms are large, light, airy and well furnished. A majority of the rooms front on Capitol Sq. and others overlook Manchester, the river and the country around. A passenger elevator makes the upper rooms almost desirable as the lower. Open fire places in every room. Resident physicians, experienced matrons, trained nurses, good cuisine, electric bells, lights and telephones.
“No patients with contagious diseases, or insanity, received.
“For further information, address, Dr. Hunter McGuire, or Dr. Stuart McGuire, Richmond, Va.”
“Room board and nursing including massage and electricity, when prescribed. From $9:00 to $15.00 per week, payable weekly to the matron.”
In 1895, construction was started on a new location, corner of Grace and Harrison street, for St. Luke’s after it outgrew the Richmond House, which could “accommodate as many as forty-eight patients. Surgery was performed in patient rooms on a portable table.
“Four years after it opened, McGuire organized a training school for nurses, the first of its kind in Virginia.”
