The Evening critic., 1882-11-10


being then clerk, and he constantly remained
throughout his life connected with that oflce.
He remembered plainly what he had seen as
n boy
when the British Invaded wash.
in the war Of 1912, and his "reminiscences OF
that and OF many other events connected with
the early history Of tho city, were entertaining
life would be q history OF tho Criminal Court
The many changes which no has witnessed
the many persons connected with that court
whom he has seen appear and In turn disa.
pear during his long life, he alono remaining;
tho many important causes which he has as
sisted at tho trial OF, would render his biog-
raphy valuable one; unfortunately he has
Kept no journal and has left no material from
which such q biography could be prepared.
He discharged his duty faithfully, as HIS long
tenure OF of1lce shows.
1t was delightful to listen to his recollectlons
OF the old Mayors OF Washington, and other
ancient municipal worthless Of our city. He
recollected and had seen all OF tho Presidents
OF the United States from tho time OF Madison;
and many were his anecdotes OF Calhoun, Clay,
Webster, Benton and other great public mon;
CLAY ana Webster he especially delighted to
speak Of.
In the Private Relations of Life
he was beloved by oil; modest, quiet and un.
assuming no made and kept many friends. He
was generous to a fault; no one ever applied
TO him In vain for aid OF any sort which 1t
was in his power to give. He was the friend
of the fatherless and the widow, and his ad-
vice and services were. always freely and un:
husband and a devoted father. Since the death
OF his only son, which occurred about ono year
ago his hold & on life has gradgally, ~, but surely
closed. Upon his tomb can be with per-
feet truth written the words, "Falthful friend"
The Death Announced in Court by
MIR. Ross Perry.
Immediately after the Criminal Court opened
this morning Mr.. II. Ross Perry, q nephew OF
the deceased, addressed His Honor as follows:
~ rise to announce to the Court the death
.H tab,
yesterday afternoon at $3.50 o'clock, at his
residence near this city. Mr.. Middleton was
born here in the year 1904, and in 1919, when
| entered the clerks of1ice OF this court. For
more than sixty three years he has remained
here, having accomplished through these long
years q faithful discharge OF duty. For almost
| a year past he has been confined to the
| house, and indeed for the past Ave years the
to that rest which he had so honestly earned
but which he refused TO avail himself of, until
now the perfect rest of death has come to him
In tho due course OF nature. His mind during
| these latter ears had become enfeebled, but
In tho daily routine OF duty here 1t retained
sufficient OF Its force to enable him TO remain
| faithful at his post, and here day after day he
| was found at work when age demanded
that ho should be at rest. Through
would mako his feeble but determined
| way to this room, and any enforced absence
was to him source Of the greatest distress.
His ono object in life was to be faithful In the
discharge OF slxty.three years OF continuous
and uninterrupted labor has written on the
| last page OF his life the verdict, "Fathful
found" A history OF his life would be his.
tory OF this court. He belonged rather to q
past age than 70 our busy busting lite: IL As |
was connected with tho daily proceedings OF
this court, have been often deeply touched
patiently until he could catch tho eye of tho
presiding Judge, would make his respectful
obcisance, and would then quietly retire. It
i IN llrn n oh n n NnQt
protesting against the want of humility and Of
reverence. which, unhappily. characterize our
ago. Mr. Middleton , was & gentle man an, & In the
nent trait OF his character and life was gentle.
ness. He was ever mindful of the feelings. of
others, and / do not believe that during his
long life ho even said ono word that
could wound the feelings of any one.
He was generous to fault; he often gave
recollected the widow and the orphan, and in
him was verified the promise that they should
not be left without a friend. They never came
| TO him In vain, and his death-bed was softer
than aowny pillows as he reposed upon their
| blessings.
Ho died OF no pronounced disease, but sue
cumed gradually and painlessly to the slow
process Of age.
But foil like autumn fruit that mellowed
| long,
Even wondered at because no dropt no
| sooner;
Fate wound him up for mans allotted term,
Yet freshly ran he on the winters wave,
| TIL, like clock worn out with eating timo,
The wheels ofweary life ut last stood STILL"
District Attorney COrlshill
said that he concurred fully In what Mr.. Perry
had said, and thought II only due TO a man
who had devoted his whole life to duty. II
there was any one to whom tho Court should
pay especial honor, 1t was one, although
humble In station, who had dedicated his life
10 duty.
Judge wyIie's Remarks.
His Honor said that he had known Mr.. Mid
dleton for thirty years, and could with hearty
approval concur In AL that had been said re.
specting the fidelity, humility, sense OF duty,
courtesy and Integrity OF tho man. His
| place was comparatively humble, but no had
never seen or known man SO
absolutely contented with the performance OF
beyond that place. lie was well connected In
life In this community, In easy circumstances,
surrounded by relatives and friends yot he
seemed TO look for nothing, care for nothing
and know nothing except 10 faithfully per
form his duty. Ho seemed mover TO have a
thought except TO faithfully MI the place as
| signed him. Whom n man OF that Kind dies
| the Court, tho community owe II TO themselves
10 show In some unusual way Its appreciation
OF his character. We're the world made up OF
| at once. He felt called upon TO say that much
and the court would adjourn out OF respect.
The Funeral.
Mr. Perry then announced that the funeral
| would take place tomorrow at 80 y. m.
Tho arrangements are In tho hands OF Mr.
| VIM. =. Buchly, undertaken, and the services
will take place at Rock Creek Church, aftel
cemetery, in the family vault, whore 1t is said
| representatives OF four generations OF the Mid
dleton family are entombed.