The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-06-19

Sprepare place for you"
n Proceedings OF Staunton Bar.
NJ REMARKS OF MR.. STUART
y Gentlemen of the Bar:
"a We have met to day
@Sfor melancholy purpose The Nestor of
@ou- Bar has fallen Thomas j. Niche is no
!smore The man who, for nearly half cen
Etury, has stood in the trout rank Of the legal
Nprofession in Virginia, has closed his mortal
Nearer. No more shall We listen to the words
s8of wisdom and esogMence, which habitnalyI
Afowed from his hps1 No more shall our
abrotherheod profit by his profound learning
Moor enjoy the benefit of his counsel or exam
ESple He has gone to that bourne whence NO
SRstraveller returns !! He has ceased from his la
Nbors ;,and1sll that is now left to us, is tn q
samemory of his brilliant talents, genial char
&acter, and Christian virtues
u Mr.. Niche was a native Of Louisa county.
HIn early life he was student of the Staun-
Ston Acadery. Havi- completed his stud
dies at that In .4.l.o J, taught school for
Sseveral years, o2a.. tho means Of support
wwhile preparing himself for the bar He
Mthen studied Law, in Stamtan, in the Office Of
Mhis unoie, tho la'e Chapman johnson, who
EAwas university revo.nix"i enc Of the
Mbrightess osnafuents at he profession.
Ea Mr.. Msaliie co;ninanc' j tho practice of
CLAW in the comfy Of Wtshe. But upon the
Mremoval Of Mr.. JuhAson to the city of Rich
Mmond, in the Fall Of 1924. Mr.. Niche came
ITO Stauntoa to take charge of his unfinished
Mbusiness.
n At first he was overshadowed by those in
Melleetual giants, Daniel Sheffey, John Il
MPeyton and Brisco G. Baldwin, who then
Mgave such dignity and lustre to the Bar of
MStaunton. His social disposition, too, tended
Msor time, to retard his professional success
EsBut, after his marriage, the needed stimulus
Mo exertion was supplied. and he rapidly ad
hsvanced to the front rank of his profession, a
Eposition which he retained until the day Of his
kadeatb.
III Yesterday, he was In this court room, ap-
APPARENTLY in perfect health; and nothing
Mcould afford more striking illustration Of
eahuman expectations, than the fact that, by
mutual consent, this day had been set apart
Hfor the argument, by Mr.. Niche, Judge
HSnefey and myself, Of an important chance
Cry cause, now pending 10 this court.
~ Alas How different is she purpose for
(which we are now assembled ! Instead of
ssbeing here to participate in the excited con-
astests of the forum, we come, with bowed
Mheads and reverent hearts, to offer the last
tribute of affection and respect to the memo
Ery of our deceased brother!
81 The private life of Mr. Niche was beau
Etiful illustration Of his Christian profession
THAT he had the frailtes incident to human
Aoature may be true, for who is free from
Mthem? But venture to affirm that there
als no man, living who ever entertained a
Hdoubt Of the integrity of his motives and
Npurposes.
n The suddenness of this bereavement ad.
Mmonishes us of the frailty OF the tenure by
(which we hold our lives! We may be here
Esato day and gone tomorrow! Should not
Eathis fact teach us not merely lesson Of mu-
ssatual charity and forbearance, but that there
Easis another bar, beyond the grave, before
kawhich we must all appear to render an ac-
Eaacount of the deeds done in this life! Let US
@then emulate the virtues of our deceased
Efriend, in the hope that when our earthly
,Mpeace and find acceptance in the sight of on,
nCreator and final Judge!
M REMARKS OF COL. SKINNER.
81 Judge Hugh W. Shelley then offered til,
Hfoilowing preamble and resolutions, which
after feeling and appropriate address from
ECol Skinner, who was once law partner Of
MMr. Mi,hie, welv unanimously adopted:
b Col. Skinner said substantially, That il
chad not been his privilege for several years
Mto engage in the active pursuits of the homo.
,Arabe Brotherhood Of the Bar; but he fel,
esimpelled to offer few words on this occa-
H3sion. He did not purpose to speak of the
Rgreat abilities Of the deceased, which had
sskamade his name known throughout the length
Mssand breadth of our State, but rather of his
Hscharacter, for upon this, at last, must every
M.uan rest for his estimation both among meu
hand before God. He had known Mr. Niche
Mintimately, having been in partnership with
saskhim for number of years. Mr. Niche had
s3been to him not only friend, but he might
Eaal most say father in the law. He had never
Ssknown bet er, purer, nobler man.. Nay
y without disparagement Of the honcred liv-
-Ming-he wonId say. he had never known
ESQ good, so pure, so Dobe man. His char.
Esaeter was rarely compounded. He was eour
'Mageous as lion, tender as a women, trustfu
Mas child: but alone and beyond his love fol
Mand trust in bis kind, he had reposed high,
,Saer and surer faith III Him who had taught Us
What in matters spiritual it is good for us to
Msbe like little child" But, continued Col
rs. he is gathered with bis fathers, having thu
Mtestimony Of good conscience, ir the conf
.Maenee Of certain faith in the comfort of a
b. easonable, religious and holy hope, in favor
as we humbly belleve-with God. and il
'sperfect charity with the world, 1t only re-
-Esmains for us to reverence his memory, and to
Meherish his example; aud happy vii. he be
,Ewho shall follow faithfully in the footsteps
g,of him who has gone before us.
IA PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
,M Last night the sad tidings had reached
ZONE Of us that Thomas johnson Niche wa
Mdead this morning our whole communit,
9ENsmourn over a common calamity. Mem
lMhearts stand still, shocked by the suddennes
Moi the blow, and tre,nble with sorrow. Blu
he was in our midst, moving abou
Min the discharge of his customary duties-ap
''@parently we'll in body-cheerful in spirits =
iMhe returned to his home in the evening; hi
7Ssought the repese which rest gives after toll
#when suddenly the great messenger came, ant
Ebis shirt fled inward to God who uave II