Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-09-10

Death If N. X. Trout.
fItE FEELING AMONG THE CITIZENS
MEMORIAL MEETtNGs-PUBLIC AND
PROFESSIONAL HoNoRs-IMMENsE Flu
NERAL,
&C., &c, &c.
Nicholas Kinney Trout died on Friday
Afternoon, in tie midst of his family, at
the age of So years. For the better part of
this time hn had held two positions in this
city, one, the highest municipal place in
the gift of the citizens, and the other, the
highest place in the hearts Of the people.
He was, more than any other man of this
century, the great commoner of the people
of this city and county. He was, in
every sense, nearer to them than any man
of his time, and it was a nearness not
tainted with the suspicion of demagoguery.
There was no desire for Office, no seeking
for personal advancement which brought
him close to the people, 1t was rather the
influence of his strong and pure character
and kindly heart that brought them near
to him. His place was not only in the af-
fections of the people, but in their judge
ment, and he was approved by both their
wisdom and their love. 1t is not too much
to say that no mans political counsel or
business advice would have weighed with
them against his. There were men wider
known outside our borders as leaders, and
recognized within as such, whose leader
ship would have melted away in a day if
opposed to the quiet and unpretending
judgement of this sterling friend of the
people His position was not the work of
years, for when young man ne occupied
pretty much the same place in the conf
dence of men that he did as years grew
on. He had lived
worth telling the history of, even if he had
never file public position. Born in the
village of Greenville in this county, his
family early removed to Port Republic in
the adjoining county OF Rockingham where
he received common school education.
and at the age Of fifteen he removed to
Staunton, where he was employed as depu-
ty clerk of the county court under Jeffer-
son Kinney, the clerk, who was his rela-
tive. His conduct. here at once attracted
the attention of his fellow citizens. The
genial courtesy with which he met all the
demands Of the public, his accurate knowl-
edge of the details of his office and his sur
prising intimacy with the law of cases were
the admiration OF all with whom he was
brought in contact, and it WAS upon the
urgent advice Of many Of the most promi-
nent citizens of the county that he deter
mined to adopt the practice OF law. He
had not the gift of oratory, and never took
the front rank as an advocate, but in other
respects ranked with the first in his pro-
fession at time when such men us Niche,
Stuart and Baldwin were at the head OF
the bar. He carried into his profession in
diIstry. a far-seeing mind, all integrity that
was never clouded by the slightest Shadow,
and genial love for his fellow men often
carried to the point OF great seit-sacrlllce,
and it is not surprising that his name soon
became a household word with his fellow
citizens. Besides being their counsellor at
law he became their contidant and adviser
in all matters, from the Investment OF
funds to the marriage of Il favorite daugh-
ter. He united to this position that OF
most practical friend, and with the all
nouncement of his death there Will arise III
many bosoms in Augusta county as else
whele, the remembranceof kindnesses that
during his life were SO frequent us to pass
ar in, rbi #
is well illustrated by a remark of his made
a few months ago. Having just losta con-
siderable sum as surety for fllend some
one said to him that at his age it Was a
oerilous venture to be security for another.
.sAb. well.'' replied he, ''but / have been
doing it so long it'would be a pity to break
off now.n Thirty-fve years ago he mar
ried Matilda Kinney Stribling, a sister OF
that eminent physician, the late DE- Frau
cisT. Stribling, and leaves behind the com
canton Of his long and happy married life.
He also leaves a large family OF children OF
whom no better OF truer thing could be said
than that they are worthy OF such a father.
HIS DEATH.
About six months ago his health was
found to be failing, and soon it was appar-
ent to his physician that he was victim to
what is known as Bright's disease. He did
not blench under the news. Theshort path
between him and the grave Was to be a
tedious one, but he did not falter III the
walk. As long as physical strength was
left him he mingled with his fellow cltl-
zeng in the walks Of business and WAS
cheerful. and attentive to allWho called on
him. He commenced arranging his affairs
for the final issue, and did SO, as far as the
public knew, without complaint or rerin-
ing. His cheerful nature and even his
genial hnmor did not desert him under the
cloud that must have hung so dark over
the last stage of his life's journey. In the
last few months he sought diversion IN
trayel and visited the North and several
of the Virginia watering places. He had
heen confined to the house for several
ueeks mast but to the last continued tt
Give directions about the business which
in the course Of bis profession had peef
committed to his Gaze, A few moments
before his death he was sitting up and
paper connected with some law mattel
under his control, was read to hin--he ilae
been totally blind for some days-anG al
its conclusion he said, sit is all right,
and directed Mr.. Hugh J. Mcllhaney, hl'
son-in-law, to sign it. In moment III
was seized with CONFUSION, and by TIN
time Mr.. Mel. could place him upon LII
bed was dead
THE OBSEQUIEs.
The Obsequies Of MI. Trout were sncl
an exhibition Of private esteem and popu
lar admiration for the deceased as hay'