The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-10-14
Communicated
THOMAS III. DVTHI

The announcement of The death of
Hon. Thomas III. Duval, at Oms-
ha, on Sunday the 10Th inst, at Z
o'clock A. ewiIl bring sadness 10
the he arts Of all who knew Jim well.
He died at the house of his son-in-
law. Capt. Roberts, whose wife was
with him, as were also Mrs. Duval
and her daughter. Mrs. Nelson.
Judge Duval. who was of French
Huguenot extraction, was born in
Buckingham county, Virginia, on
November 4, 1918. After gradual
ing at St. JOscph's College in 1oS3,
he studied law with Charles y.
Wickline, of Kentucky. In 1s43 he
was appointed by the President a.
secretary of e.territory ofFlorida.
In 1915 he emigrated to Austin,
where he has resided for thlrty-five
years. Prior to 1856, he was appoint
ed by the Supreme Court of the
state one of the reporters ofits decis-
ions, and lac. held the Office of secre-
tary of state under Gov. p. Hans
brough Bell. In 1855 he was elected
one of the district judges of the
state, and i'll 1857 was appointed, by
President Pierce, Il district judge of
the United States, for the western
district of Texas.
No man conspicuous in the admin
istration of government, ever lived
in Texas who died leaving more
friends to mourn his departure than
has Judge Duval. During resi-
dence in Austin of thirty-five years
his life has been such, that, if ever he
had an enemy on earth among gen
tlemen, that fact was never known,
or believed by his friends. The sim
gular mOdesty and reserve which
characterised him rs lawyer, were
happily blended with the becoming
dignity that marked his bearing as
Il Judge. An amiable weakness
often prompts lis to magnify the vir-
tues of friend when he is no more.
but all who knew Judge Duval will
bear witness that the elements of
good were so mingled in all his
ways, that the simple truth concern
ing him must sound like adulation
to one who knew him not
For twenty-five years we have
known Thomas II. Duval as a judge,
and during all Tint time u more
spOtless ermine did not resi- on
the shoulders of II purer man
Those suffering disappointment, in-
separable from litigation, never
sought relief by abusing his decis-
ions. If his rulings seemed wrong
to Interested counsel or litigant. the
recognized purity Of the jurlst, re-
PEELED suspicion, disarmed resent
ment and commanded respect. If
ever his administration of Justice
seemed to give dissatisfaction, it was
only for brief period, and to but
a few, and because his court stood Il
hqlWark against oppression, uphold
ing the constitution in a time of
peace against military usurpation.
No jurist ever presided more pa
tiently than did Judge Duval, while
engaged in trying cause. His high
regard for justice made him almost
regardless of himself when engaged
in ascertaining the rights of others.
A long professional training and pa
tient labor on the bench, had made
him one Of the ahlest jurists of the
South,
BY no class of men will Judge
DuvaPs death be more deplorcd
than by those who began the prac-
tice of law before him. Though
considerable and kind in his deport-
ment towards all, he was singularly
so to the timid young lawyer who
was unused to the rules of practice.
BY a kind suggestion he would often
rescue the beginner from the tolls of
a more experienced adversary, and
thus bar grew up around him who
had learned to venerate and love him.
In his private life he was an eXem-
plar for all. and it is but truth to say.
that each domestic and social virtue
was illustrated in his every day life.
Though his convictions were strong,
and he at all times showed a courage
equal to them, it is believed that
no one among his many friends ever
heard him utter harsh or an I'M
kind word regarding any human
being He has passed from among
us-we sadly look, and in vain,
for one like him 10 supply his place.
Justice with bandaged eyes will bend
Above thy hallowcd rest.
While virtue mourns an absent friend,
h.a aat md hal