Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-04-24
Death efJudge Lucas P. Thompson.


1t becomes our melancholy duty to announce
the death of the distinguished gentleman whose
name stands at the head of this article He
died on the 2lst inst, at his residence, in Staun-
ton in the Goth year Of his age, after linger-
ing illness of several months
The death Of Judge Thompson leaves a va
cancy in our society which cannot be filed.
For nearly thirty=five years he has been the
Judge of this Circuit, and we hazard nothing
in saying that no man ever enjoyed a larger
share OF the confidence and affection Of the peo-
pie among whom he resided
AS Judge, he was learned, patient and la
borlous, sitting every case to the bottom and
inpressing every one with the conviction of his
integrity, impartiality, and anxious desire to do
justice. On several occasions, during his judi
elal career, he found himself obliged By a sense
OF duty, to decide important causes in opposi-
ton to strong currents of public prejudice.
lie did not for moment hesitate to breast
the storm with more than Roman frmness, and
IN every instance after the excited feelings which
Influenced the public mind had passed away, it
became manifest to all that the Judge was right.
This high but rare quality of moral courage and
untiinching firmness Of purpose was possessed
by Judge Thompson in an eminent degree. He
investigated every case with the most patient
assldulty, and few men surpassed him in the
extent OF his legal learning or in quickness in
experimenting nice distinctions, or in the happy
faculty OF giving satisfactory reasons for his
judgments. 1t was his habit to deliver oral
opinions in most of the important cases which
he decided, and he rarely failed to satisfy the
public mind Of the soundness of his judgments,
and never as to the rectitude of his purposes
1.-The had any fault as a judge it was from his
disposition to lean to the side Of mercy and to
guard with over scrupulous care the rights of
the widow and the orphan
In all the relations Of private life he was a
bright example to his fellow-men As a htls-
band a father brother and a friend, he COM
manded universal affection and respect, and the
tender and afectionate care with which he was
nursed and watched by those who had been his
slaves was touching testimony to his kindness
TO that dependent race. From the moment
that his illness assumed serious aspect, his
former slaves left their own families to watch
and wait on him by turns, with the same tender
solicitude that was displayed by the members Of
his own family.
In manner, Judge Thompson blended, in the
happiest degree, dignity with aifability. Guile
less as child himself, he never suspected guile
in Others and no uncharitable expression ever
fell from his lips No one enjoyed more keen
ly the pleasures of social life, but he never per-
mitted them for a moment to interfere with the
discharge of his public duties.
Judge Thompson succeeded the late Judge
Archibald Stuart as Judge Of this Circuit in
June 1881. Judge Stuart had held the Office
for more than 80 years, and thus in the long
period of 81 years there have been but two
Judges of this Circuit. The present generation
have grown up under the administration of
Judge Thompson, and had learned to look up
to him with almost filial veneration.
A few months ago, Gov Pierpont paid a just
tribute to Judge Thompson merits as man
and Jurist by elevating him to the bench OF
the Supreme Court of Appeals. Illness, how
ever, prevented him from taking his seat, and
the State was thus deprived of his services in
this more enlarged sphere of usefulness.
He has gone from among us, but he leaves
behind him a name which is the synonym Of
every virtue and untarnished by a single fault.
He died christian gentleman full Of years and
full of honors, leaving the best heritage which
a man can leave to his Children spotless rep
utation.