The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-16

= DEATH OF JUDGE JOHN S.CAsKIE-SKETCH 5.
OF HIS BRILLIANT CARBE8.--To the long list
of distinguished members of the Richmond
bar who have died during the present year.
we are deeply panied to add the name of
Hon. John s: Caskie, vino expired at his,
residence, in this, city on Tuesday, after a
long and painful illness. Although not
actively engaged in the practice of-his pro-
sfession for several years, Judge Caskie was
for many years one Of our most brilliant
and successful advocates and popular poll
ticians. sfs TI...s
He was the son of the late James Caskie,
for many years the able president Of the
Bank OF Virginia. He enjoyed the ad-
vantage of liberal education. His
career at the University Of Virginia was
singularly brilliant, and ne is said
to have borne off the highest honors
of that institution after much less pro-
tracted period of study than was ever be-
fore required. He returned to Richmond
after taking the degree of Master OF Arts
with higher reputation for ability than
any young man of his age, and entered
upon the study Of the law. We believe that
even before he commenced the practice Of
his profession he delivered an address upon
the occasion of one of our national ami
yersaries of such remarkable eloquence and
brilliancy that the memory Of it still lives
in the traditions of the city.
Soon after his admission to the par
he created an equally profound impression
as an advocate by mastery defence
Of person charged with either murder or
piracy upon the high seas, and the late Chief
Justice Taney is said to have pronounced
the speech as " the best first speech he had
ever heard at the barr
Judge Caskie at once entered upon lu-
two al1 tho ,ajsj ,,r.Jns courtS
of the city. He was soon appointed by the
late Judge Nicholas prosecuting attorney
for the judicial circuit of Richmond and
Henrico, and was one of the most
able and efficient prosecutors of his
day. He discharged the duties of this
Office until the death of Judge Nicholas,
when he was elected to succeed him upon
the bench. Although elevated to the bench
at an unusually early age, he discharged the
duties of the office with signal ability and
impartiality, and fully sustained the very
high reputation which he had won at the
bar. He continued upon the bench until
1851, when he was elected to represent the
Richmond district III Congress.
In briefly summing up his career as an
advocate and jurist, it can be said without
eXaggeration that he was an ornament to
profession which was then, as now, repre-
sented by many pure and able men in this
city.
In argument he was clear, forcible, and
convincing, and his style Of speaking was
singularly attractive and graceful. His facts
were marshalled with the most consummate
tact and skill, and his legal arguments were
close and logical. L.
AS a politician, Judge Caskie was url-
doubtedly the most popular and sue
cessful man of his age in the State. He was
from boyhood the pet of the Democratic
party, and one of its most brilliant and Ell
tectiye speakers. When not more than
twenty-five years of age he occupied
a distinguished place in the front rank of
the most popular leaders of that party, and
his services were important in every section
of the State during the memorable presl-
dental elections of 1874, '4S, '52, and '36.
In the political encounters of those days he
exhibited rare and most brilliant qualities
as popular speaker, and was enthusiast
cally admired by his party. His discussions
with Mr.. Bolts and other leading Wing
orators attracted vast crowds, and always
filed the old African church almost to suf-
location. As the candidate for Congress
Of the Democratic party he was thrice
elected, and was member of that body
during three consecutive sessions. He was
defeated eventually by Mr.. De Jarnette
(who was also Democrat, and resumed the
practice of the law in this city.
The career of Judge Caskie was bril-
liant, and he was comparatively young
man at the time Of his demise. His
infrmities were those which too often
hurry men Of the most brilliant genius to
an early grave; but the deceased was a
talented, Kind d-hearted, modest, and honora-
BILE gentleman, vino was once the pride and
darling of our city, and his death, although
not unexpected, will be profoundly re-
gretted throughout the whole State.
We are requested to state that there will
be meeting of the bar in the courtroom
of the Circuit Court to-day at II O'Clock
for the purpose of adopting appropriate
resolutions of respect for the distinguished
1aoI