Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-06-17
THE DEATH OF THOs. J. MICHIE-REMARKs
OF HON A. H. H. STUART AND RESOLU-
TI0NS OF THE EAR as.H-

Mr.. Thomas J. Niche died very suddenly on
last Wednesday night, the 18th instant, at ten
O clock p NJ His unexpected death caused q
general feeling of sadness and sorrow through
out our community. He was in his 77th year,
and was loved by all who knew him. Below
will be found sketch of his life and character,
embodied in the remarks of Hon. A. FL. II.
Stuart and in the resolution adopted by the Bar
on the 18th instant.
On the announcement of his death, Judge
Mclaughlin adjourned the Circuit Court, which
is in session here, and at II o'clock a meeting
of the Bar was held, at which Hon. A. II. FL.
Stuart was called to the chair and Major Elder
appointed secretary. Upon taking his seat Mr..
Stuart made the following remarks in voice
scarcely audible from the excess of his emotion ::
Gentlemen Of the Bar
We have met to day for a
melancholy purpose. The Nestor of our Bar
has fallen! Thomas J. Niche is no morel The
man who, for nearly half century, has stood in
the front rank of the legal profession in Virgin
Ia has closed his mortal career. No more shall
we listen to the words Of wisdom and eloquence
which haoitually flowed from his lips No more
shall our brotherhood profit by his profound
learning, nor enjoy the benefit of his counsel
and examplel lie has gone to ., that bourne
whence no traveller returns +! He has ceased
from his labors and all that is now left to us
is the memory of his brilliant talents, genial
character, and Christian virtues
Mr.. Niche was native OF Louisa county
In early life he was student of the Staunton
Academy. Having completed his studies at
that institution, he taught school for seve-
| raj years, to earn the means OF support while he
was preparing himself for the bar. He then stu
died law, in iStaunton in the office of his uncle
the late Chapman johnson, who was universally
recognized as one of the brightest ornaments of
the profession.
Mr.. Niche commenced the practice of law in
the county of Wythe. But upon the removal of
Mr.. johnson to the city OF Richmond, In the
Fall of 1924, Mr.. Niche came to Staunton to
take charge of his unfinished business.
At first he was overshadowed by those intel
lectual giants, Daniel Shefey, John II. Peyton
and Briscoe G.. Baldwin, who then gave such
dignity and lustre to the Bar of Staunton. His
social disposition, too, tended, for time, to re-
tard his or OCCASIONAL success. But, after his mar
| rage, the needed stimulus to exertlon was sup
piled, and has rapidly advanced to the front
rank of his profession, position which he re-
tanned until the day of his death.
Yesterday, he was in this courtroom, appa-
rently in perfect health and nothing could af-
ford more striking illustration of the uncer-
tainty of life, and the delusiveness of human
pectations than the fact that, by mutual consent
this day had been set apart Tor the argument
by Mr. Niche, Judge Shelley and myself of an
important chancery cause, now pending IN this
court
AIasl How different is the purpose for which
we are now assembled! Instead OF being here to
participate in the excited contests of the forum,
we come with bowed heads and reverent hearts,
to offer the last tribute of affection and respect
to the memory of our deceased brother
The private life of Mr.. Niche was beautiful
Illustration of his Christian profession. That he
had the frailties incident to human nature may
be true, for who is free from them? But | ven
ture to affirm that there is no man living who
ever entertained a doubt of the integrity of his
m olives aud purposes.
4 of QIvQp mt aHp
ishes us of the frailty Of the tenure by which
we hold our livesl We may be here to-day and
gone to- morrow Should not this fact teach us
not merely lesson of mutual charity and for
bearance, bat that there is another bar, beyond
the grave, before which we must all appear to
render an account of the deeds done in this life !
Let us then emulate the virtues OF our deceased
friend, in tho hope that when our earthly career
comes to an end we may depart in peace and
find acceptance in the sight of our Creator and
final Judge!
Judge Hugh W. Shelley then offered the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions, which, after a