Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-07-10
DEATH OF THE HON. ALEX. B. COCHRAN.


distinguished son of Old Augusta.
A meeting Of the Staunton Bar was heldain
the Courthouse on last Tuesday at 1880 O'Clock.
P. NJ, for the purpose of giving expression to
their feelings and paying suitable tribute to his
memory.
General Jno. Echols was called to the chair
and on taking which he made short, appropri-
ate and touching speech. ~ -
Judge Sheffey then followed in o few remarks
which were received with the most profound
emotions Of grief and sympathy, at the conclu-
sion of which he offered the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS:
Alexander B. Cochran departed this lie on
the na aS b s
citizens whose honored servant he was, nave
assembled to give expression to their profound
sorrow, and their sentiments of respect 10 ne
memory Of Distinguished son of Augusta,
Born of honOred parents, whose lineage Tor
more than hundred years has been markedly
traits of character which have Distinguished The
people of Augusta, educated in the schools of
his native county and OF the University OF Viz
ginia, Alexander b. Cochran soon gave promise
of the distinction which was reserved for him
in the broader arena of public life. Trained to
the bar, and, at one time chosen to till the Of
rewards of the pro ession would haveibeen sure
ly his had he continued in its walks. But his
tastes led him into other fields, and the pur-
suits of public service became the objects OF his
honorable ambition and efforts.
Soon after the termination of the war he was
elected as one of the Delegates from thecounty
of Augusta in the General Assembly of Virgin
ia. He was next elected to represent the coun-
ty as its Senator and he died. the trusted repre-
sentative of the great interests Of his native
county.
Young in years, being only in the forty-first
year of his age, Alexander B. Cochran had al
ready won high distinction; he was true to his
public trusts; he handled the badges of high Of
flee with unstained hands the breath of sus-
picion never sullied the lustre of his honored
named; as DICTATOR he stood in the front ranks
among the distinguished men of Virginia; his
logic was powerful and convincing, and at
times. his eloquence, like one of the swollen
| torrents of his native noun tains, swept every
thing before it he was true to his friends; fear
less in the defense of the right, and earnest and
un1agging in his inyincible purpose to accom-
honor of his county and of his State. Few men
courted popularity less; few men practiced the
arts of the politician less and yet, no man had
! by the magnetic power of attraction. peculiarly
his own, gathered around him in time OF need
| and trial. Young as he was, on two occasions,
l upheld and carried forward by the efforts of
admiring friends, he was within few votes of
i receiving the nomination for the once OF Sena-
States.
| Had not disease undermined his strength and
constitution, and death called him away from
the career he was treading so bravely and SO
well, brilliant future must have been his and
the crowns of high civic triumphs been won by
him. =.
But, death, that cloves shining mark, !" that
spares not the brightest, whilst 1t strikes. the
generous ambition, and hath stilled the busy
pulses of his brain and silenced his eloquent
tongue, and now he sleeps the long sleep that
knows no waking;" and Augusta has one more
son to cherish in her sacred recolIections; one
more numbered with the dead though honored
as among her living memories. -
Be it Therefore ResotUed, That by the death of
Alexander b. Cochran, the members of the
Stanton bar have lost friend and companion
once member of their profession, for whom
thew have chariSh4d the most Sincpra esteem
! and affectionate regard-the light of whose
genius, altho Withdrawn from their profess
siOnal arena, they have watched with admiring
interest, and they have seen go down into the
night of death, with profound sorrow and the
citizens, here assembled, have lost friend and
public servant, ever true and faithful to his
high duties one whoml they delighted to
honor; one who never betrayed his. trust, and,
who WI 81 had the will and the courage to contend
courage never to submit or yield" to the wrong.
Like the rugged mountains. which git his ma
tive valley, he seemed to the distant observer,
stern and rugged in his nature; but to those
who knew him well and had access to the sa
cred recesses of his life he notall stern
ness and reserve, but there were to be found. as
in the sweet Valleys covered by those rugged
mountains. bright streams and green spots OF
noble emotions, with flowers of tender senti--
ment here and there to gladden. the eye and
give pleasure to the hearts OF his friends and
relatives. To Them was he ,known-by them
was he loved with a strong affection.
Resolved, That we tender our sincerest SYM
pathies tothe venerable father of our deceased
friend, and to his afflicted family. with whom
we condole in their great sorrow and to whom
the assurance is given, that with them the peo-
| pie of this great county grieve as for a common
bereavement.
Resolved, That we will attend in a body the
funeral OF our deceased friend at five o'clock
| this afternoon.
to publish the foregoing preamble and sresolu;
Resolved. That Hugh W. shefey, John H.
| McCue and Charles Grattan be appointed a
Committee, whose duty 1t shall be to present
| the foregoing preamble and resolutions to the
Judges of the Courts heldin this city, and to
request that the same be spread upon their re-
| cords.
Atthe conclusion of the reading of the pre-
anble and resolutions, prepared and read by
Judge Sheffey, Judge John H. McCue arose and
paid a handsome tribute to the memory of the
deceased. In the course of his remarks he re,
lated several most touching incidents int The
life OF Judge Cochran, illustrating most yividly
some OF the beautiful and generous traits of his
character.
| at the conclusion of Judge McCue's remarks
the esolutionswere adopted andsthe meeting
adjourned.
| THE FUNERAL.
| At half past four O'Clock on Tuesday evening
the funeral cortege was formed in front of the
American Hotel and moved up Augusta street
to Frederick, thence to the First Presbyterian
CLUTCH, III t1e iOllOW1US OfUef. -f - y =
Stonewall Brigade Band
| West Augusta Guard.
xStaunton Artillery - T.
| Odd-Fellows.
Masons 2sa y
| ~. +.4,s,.i Hearse. --,.f -.
Pail Bearers in Carriages. ia A..
Family and Relatives in Carriages.
Citizens in Carriages. -
Citizens on foot.
| At the church, which was filed with q sad
| and sorrowing audience, services were opened
| by Rev. W. E. Baker, the pastor, reading an APP
propriate hymn, which was feelingly sung by
| the choir and congregation. Prayer was then
offered by Bev. DR.. Manly, of the Baptist
church, followed by Rev. Mr.. Baker reading
select passages from the Scriptures appropriate
to the occasion, prefaced with few remarks,
| impressing the solemn lesson taught by the
presence of Death. After prayer and the bene-
diction by the pastor, the procession reformed
| and proceeded to Thornrose Cemetery, where
| the remains of the deceased were deposited in
the family burying ground with Masonic and
Odd Fellows hoilors, of both of which Judge
Cochran was a member. si,,t
The services at the grave were interrupted by
violent wind, rain and hail storm, which rem
dered Unnecessary to dispense with some of the