The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-02-05
The Late sidney n. Baxter.
MARION, SMYTH COUNTY. VA, !
January 90, 1880.


10 Editors Of Dispatch:
have waited to this time. hoping that
some contemporary OF the late sidney ;.
Baxter would favor the public with some
sketch of the life and services OF this dis
tiugulsbed lawyer. Some notice, II occurs
to me, should be taken OF the death OF one
who for so long time occupied nigh po-
sition in bis own State. Although i never
had the pleasure OF knowing him well till
since the war, submit a brief and imper-
feet sketch OF his lie. with the hope that
some contemporary Of his in your city may
have his attention called to this article and
/ be Induced 10 favor the public with better
account OF his public career. We ought
not TO permit The memory OF such man TO
perish. Sidney s. Baxter was the son OF
Rev. George a. Baxter, who was president
OF Washington College, now Washing
ton and Lee University, from 1893 to
1929. He was born in Lexington, Va.
on The 18th day OF November, 1902. He
graduated at Washington College in the
year 1920. He studied law with Hon. Will
liam Taylor, a lawyer OF distinction in Lex
iueton, a brolher-in-law Of Governor Me-
DOwcll, and at one time member OF Con-
oresS from that district. He was licensed
10 practice law when be was just twenty
one years OF age, and at once commenced
The practice OF his profession in the county
of Rockbridge and the adjoining counties.
HIS ability and attention TO business soon
sccured him lucrative practice. lie re-
mained there till the year 1884 when, on
the 1lth Of December OF that year, he was
appointed by the Legislature OF Virginia
Attorney General OF the State to succeed
Hon. John Robertson, who had been elect
ed TO Congress and had resigned the office
of Attornev-Gencral. His first appearance
in the Supreme Court Of his State was in
tue case OF Campbell u.s. Shields, 9Th Leigh
lie was associated in this case with Hon.
Briscoc G.. Baldwin. This was in July, 1880.
From the year 1884 till the election under
the Constitution of 1851, in December OF that
year, he was Attorney-Gcn OF the S'ate OF
Virginia. When il Is remembered that Mr.
Baxter was an open and decided WhiG, and
the Legislature OF his State was always
Democratic, this is high compliment to
the efficiency with which be discharged the
duties II this important office. In Decem-
ber, 1851 lthe Constitution OF 1851 re-
curing the AttOrney-General TO be elected
hv the people,, he was defeated by Willis
p. B0c0ck, the Democratic candidate for
that Office, and retired from il on the 22d
many that il MI Baxter could have been
separated from the party ticket for Gov
ernOr and LieUtenant-GOyernOr lie would
have been elected AltOrney-General, so great
was his popularity with the people. Wien
it is known that during his term OF Office
be had to encounter at the bar OF the SUI
preme Court such men as Johnson, Stanard,
Leigh, Baldwin, Lyons, Daniel, and others,
and when it is known that in the discharge
Of the duties of his Office he gave en-
tire satisfaction. it must he evident that
Mr. Baxter was a man OF a very high or
der OF ability. After hi, defeat in 1851 he
removed to the city OF Washington and en-
tered actively upon the practice OF his pro-
fession. When the war broke out III 1861
lie was in the enjoyment OF profitable
praSoce in the Supreme Court OF the United
States and before the Departments. Al
though in the ifty-nin,h year OF his age,
and disabled physically for active service,
he promptly abandoned all and FASTENED 10
Richmond to cast In his fortunes with his
native State. He was given some appoint
ment by the Confederate states Ill connec-
ton with the exchange OF prisoners, ana
held this Office until the close OF the war.
During the war a valuable law and mlsce-
laneous library and other property, which
ne iau lcll III W drutu tOiJ NtiF NlNhNA NN'i-
fiscated or sold under attachments, so that
when the war ended be was compelled to
commence practice anew in a strange field
lie then came 10 Southwestern Virginia and
settled at Wytheyille. He afterwards re-
sided at Abingdon and at this place, and
during all Til, time till within about
Two wears Of his death, when he was
physically unable to be in court. he was en-
ployed in many important causes in the cir
cult courts OF Wythe, Smytb, and Wash
inglon, and in the Court OF Appeals at
Wythevile. never saw anything Of Mr..
Baxter at the bar till after the war; tut
even then. when he was in the decline OF
life and IN feeble health, WAS struck with
his great learning in bis profession and
with his industry, energy. and zeal III the
cause OF hi, clients. Mr. Baxter was mar
ried in Lexington IN the year 1929 TO Miss
Anna B. Nichols. She died III Richmond
in the year 1916. Mr.. Baxter had eight
children, all OF whom he survived except
one-Mrs. A. 4. SPOTS, Of TaZeWell county.
lie died at her house on the 1ih day OF De
cember, 1879, in the seyenty-eiGbtl wear OF
his age. JAMES H. ollAoIt'