Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-04-23
From tho North carolinian.


Hon. Robert strange.
uo,,oatad neriods Of absence from our post during
the last month"; have prevented our taking notice OF
h;aaranhical sketch of the distinguished gentle
,sbpse name heads this article which appeared
in the March number of LIyingstons sketches OF en-
;ent living LAWYERS The article in question IS wei
written and highly interesting. The encomia when
= iustly nronounces must be the more graIeIul 10
90 evidence of their truth and of the sincerity with
which thew are uttered) that it was written Dy
gentleman of adverse politics, at time When Joose
Strange's name had been mentioned In COMMISSION
with the Vice Presidency. We find IN this sketcn
many incidents of peculiar interest," some OF Wnlch
10 viii submt for The entertainment of our readers.
MANY of whom are well acquainted with the person
who is their subject:
On the first day of April, 1914, he commenced
reading law in the Office of the Hon Benjamin wat
kins Leigh, in the town of Petersburg. In rev
months afterward, MIR. Leigh removed to the city OF
Richmond But the reciprocal ties OF veneration ana
esteem were too strong be severed by slight caus-
es and the student followed his preceptor to his new
home eager to master the principles OF that SCIENCE
he was day beautifully to enforce ana clearly
expound He remained in Mr. Leigh's office about
months During this time. the citizens OF Rich
mond dreaded an attack from the British Volun-
/ teer companies were formed, citizens were armed,
and the quiet capital of the Old Dominion seemed
suddenly converted into garrisoned town 1T was
not in the nature of the young lawstudent to resist
the excitement of such scenes. At the first tap of
the drum, Blackstone and Coke were deserted. I'm
known, and too young to be entitled to sword, he
grasped a musket. and planted himself as common
soldier in the ranks of volunteer company, where
be cheertnlly submitted to every drudgery and prl-
walton, feeling honored at being deemed old enough
to be trusted in that position where if necessary he
could strike for the stars and stripes: and the capt.
| ital of his native State. The threatened invasion
was withdrawing the heights of Richmond again as
sumed the appearance of peace, and the young SOL
der reluctantly betook himself to his books.
Whilst studying with Mr. May, his military ar
dor was again excited at an expected invasion of his
country.
He again abandoned his studies. and aided in rails
ing in Petersburg company of Juvenile volunteers,
from IA to II years of age He was elected captain
of this company. and rendered its services to the
State. The Governor, after some delay, respectful
ly declined accepting the company but the proud
bearing and military enthusiasm OF the youthful
captain too striking to pass unobserved. and the
Governor rendered him Brevet commission of Lieu
tenant, in artillery company, then in the service
of the State. The commission cheerfully ac-
cepted, and the student once more became the SOL
dier, and performed three months tour of duty,
encamped at Petersburg. and Camp Powells Creek.
During his term of service he devoted his leisure
hours to the acquisition of military knowledge and
discharged the duties of his station in manner that
gained the appreciation and esteem Of his superior
ofhcers-whilst he was great favorite with. and
possessed the entire confidence Of the rank and file
and for the greater part of the time, concurrence
of circumstances placed him in the actual command
of the company.
| In 1921, the friends of Mr. Strange brought him
forward candidate to represent Fayetteville in
the House of Commons, in the Legislature of the
State. The representative in 1920 was John A. Cam
eron, the son of one of his former teachers. Mr..
Cameron had also represented the town in 181O-11-
'12 but the breaking out of the war, had volun-
teered and faithfully served his country maj of
the Cumberland regiment During the war, expo
sure had brought on attack of paralysis, which
very sensibly weakened his powers of elocuton and,
in great measure disqualified him for successful
practice at the bar. But he had the esteem and
confidence of our citizens many of whom he COM
| manded during the Mr. Cameron still a
man of active energetic habits, possessed of strong
intellect ard much dignity of character. He was
accordingly brought forward by his friends in oppo
sition TO Mr. Strange, in 1921 The contest was
fierce and violent. The friends of each candidate
kept open house for month before the election,
whilst each candidate presided with dignity the
inequalities of his own board. This campaign is
still referred 10 in Fayetteville the climax to
which electioneering excitement can be carried At
the close of the polls, Strange had majority Of sc
out of 364 votes polled The compliment was the
more hattering, as the federal party had decided
majority in town; and Strange had early avowed
himself Republican, and was, therefore, indebted
to personal popularity and the influence Of friends
for his election.
The contest was again renewed between him and
Mr.. Cameron, in 1922 o. but with less violence, and
Strange continued to be elected by increasing ma
jorites So courteous the bearing of the can
didates towards each other throughout these memo
rable campai gns that at their close they entertain
ed the highest esteem and regard for leach other
Mr.. Cameron afterwards became Judge of the Ter.
ritory of Florida but drowned in the i'll ateC
steamer Pulaski, in 1888. In the legislature MIR
Strange sustained his reputation orator, anC
bore conspicuous part in all the discussions Of thu
day, and had the honor to the judiciary
mittee of which the late John Stanly chairman
1 In 1926 Mr.. Strange again represented Fayette
vile in the House of Commons in the Legislature O
e the State. At this sessi of the legislature cleo
Il ton came for two Judges of the Superior Court
one to fill the place of Judge Nash, who had resign
ed, but VINO is ornament to the Suprem
Court bench, and the other to fill the place Of Judg
> Mangum, our present distinguished Senator in Con
gress, who during the recess of the legislature ha
l. been appointed by the Governor and Council to sup
l. ply the vacancy occasioned by the death of Judg
h Paxton. The legislature voted for both judges a
the same time-9l was necessary to choice. O
g the first ballot the stood-Strange, 100; Will
: P Mangum, U.s. James Martin, So Thomas
it Devereux, 80; Joseph Picket As Robert Burton
4 80; Joseph Picket. As Robert Burton, SO scatter
ing, q. On the third ballot Martin was elected b
a vote of lO2 to 81 over Mangum.
e
He presided with much ability in the trial Of tn
notorious Robert Potter in Granville county, in 183
for the commission of offence unheard of in til
- annals of North Carolina criminal law up to thu
j. time. Potter was lawyer, had served in the legi
ature OF the State, and in Congress- during one
l. sion. On being found guilty of the offence by til
jury, Judge Strange sentenced him to two wears in
prisonment, and fined him in the sum Of one thol
:; sand dollars Appeals were made to the Judge