Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-06-13
DEATH OF THOMAS J. NICHE.
History OF THE EMINENT LAwYER-CHAR.
AcTHRIsT1cs OF THE MAN-GLooM IN THE
COMMUNITY. MEETING OF THE BAR,
&C., &c, &c.

lady was suddenly summoned from the
room with the haste of death MESA &c, and
in few moment, it was rumored in the
hall that the eminent lawyer, Thomas j.
Niche, was dying, and relative had been
sent for. The greatest feeling was shown
among the audience, deepened into . shock
when it was heard later that he was dead
Yesterday morning the news spread in the
city and the deep feeling Of the citizons was
evinced by their gathering in little knots on
the street corners, discussing the news OF
what they rightly deemed calamity.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH.
On Wednesday morning Mr.. Niche mas
in his usual health, and was at tho court,
where he was to have appeared yesterday to
argue the important case of Shower Us. Sho.
| yer. During the afternoon be felt uuwell
and about 5 o'clock walked hons, being ac-
companied through the rain by Col. Bl,dsoe
! Hartman. The rest of the evening he spent
talking oheerfully, as was his custom, but
about 9 o'clock he aoupsined of being
more unwell, and Col. H. II. Robertson,
who was in conversation with him, went
out for Dr.. Stribling, but did not fud him
| at home. 10 the mean time, Mr.. Niche
had put on mustarl pl,st and laid on
the bed, where he turned to 60 to sleep, and
in = few moments died without struggle.
| Disease of the heart was believed to be the
cause OF bis DEATH
Thomas johnson Niche vas born in
Louisa county in 1896 at the old home
stead Of the johnson. aud Michiss, which be
owned ct the time of his death. He came
70 this city when boy, and vas educated
at the Staunton Academy, after which he
taught school in order to obtain means to 60
into the practice of l,w, After studying
law with his uncle, the famous Chapman
johnson, be removed to W. theville for its
practice, but in 1924, bis urce having re-
moved from Staunton to Richmond, came
back to this city to settle up his law busi-
ness. He established strong bold on the
esteem aud admiratioa Of this people by
his sterling worth. even more than bis great
ability. Here he married Miss NJ. Gar
Der daughter of Michael CARRIER, and settled
fer lifetime residences. His popularity was
great. He was elected 70 the legislature in
1888, but, though be might have had any
Office in this gift of the people in this sec
ton, nevsr took auoth or, being man of
moderate means, and not being able to give
up the incom, Of his profession for the mes
gre one of an honest public life His SER
vices, however, where it did not interfere
with the practice of his profession, were al
ways at the command of his fellow citizsns,
and ho often served them in non-remuncrative
Offices, such as director of bank, presiding
officer Of the boards Of 'he public institutions
here, and similar Positions In his early
life be was associate editor Of thes SsauntoD
Spectator with Keuton Harper, snd
was for short tims prosecuting attorney
for the countiss Of Rock bridge, Albcmarle
and Augusta.
| HIS CHARACTER.
The personal appearance of Mr.. Niche,
was striking. Habtei in worn suit of
black, bis form slightly bent with age, his
hair perfectly white. his features marked
with strong character, lighted by : piercing
grey eye shaded by overhauging white brows
he seemed the calm judge, the honest>law-
yer. and unpretending man Of genius that
ae was. OF his charAct er, Judge Shelley
said eloqueutly and truly yesterday at
meeting of the Stanton bar, that "few men
equalled him-almost none exeelled him in
large attributes of character He was en-
| dowed with an intellect Of rare power. quick
and comprehensive grasp; with faculty
of logical reasoning Of almost terrific force !;
with mental resources in the midst of the
conflict Of intellectual strife which never
failed him with a warmth of grand emo
ton which impaired living energy to his
words with singleness Of devotion to the
cause he espoused never surpassed with =
lofty sincerity and unqusstionsd conscien-
tiousness, which gave ton to all he said and
did with directpes. Of aim and straight
forwardness Of action, never for q moment
warped by an artfsc or diverted BY de-
vice +; with learning which placed him in
the front rank Of his pr ,fession. and witkal,
possessing as he did, the highest gift of mind
and the noblest endowments Of full detel-
oped and vigorous emotional nature, he was
clothed with modssty which cast over the
grand and seemingly rugged Developments
Of his nature charm OF visible attractive.
ness"
PROCEEDINGS CT THE BAR
Judge hlcl1aughl,n, presiding over the
circuit. adjourned the court directly after
it's meeting yesterday, out of respect to the
memory of Mr.. Niche, and at noon
meeting of the members was held, at which
every lawyer in the city was present, and
good many citizens who had gathered to
hear the proceedings The meeting was presi-
ded over by Hon. A. Fl. FL. Stuart who in