Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-16
The Late Robert Guild.

Hon. Robert Guild, whose death at Richmond
yesterday was reported in The STAR last eve.
ming, was the son of Henry Ould, an English.
man, who came to this country as Lancaster
ian Instructor early in the present century, and
under the eye of Lancaster himself, who visited
this country, established the Lancaster school
in Georgetown, d. c., in which many living res.
idents of this District received the rudiments OF
their education. After the sudden death OF
Henry Ould, the school rapidly declined. Rob-
ert Guild was born at Georgetown. January 81
1920. His academcal studies he pursued at
Jefferson college. Pennsylvania, and Columbian
college of this city, graduating from the latter
in the fall of 1887. He began the study of law
with Joseph H. Bradley, Of Washington and
continued it under Judge Beverly Tucker. at
William and Mary College, Va, from the law
department OF which he graduated in 1912
Early in the following year he was admitted to
the bar OF the District of Columbia, at which he
practiced uninterruptedly until the outbreak OF
the CIVIL war. He was appointed by President
Pierce one Of two members of the bar of the
District of Columbia to codify the laws of the
District. subsequently. Gas stated in yester-
days starr on the death of Philip Barton Key.
he was appointed United States district attorney
of the District of Columbia. in which office one
OF his first duties was to prosecute Daniel E.
Key. He encountered in the trial Messrs.
Brady and Graham, of New York. two
of the most eloquent and effective
criminal lawyers of their day, and Edwin NJ.
man of prOdigious ability in his professions vet,
In the face OF this array OF forensic talent, he
sustained himself and his case, by common con-
sent. with learning, skill and power worthy
of the occasion. He held the Office of district
attorney until after the Inauguration of Mr. Lin
N hn ncr,in he
family to Virginia, of which his wife was ma
tive; and where in the course of the wear. he
was appointed Assistant Secretary of War to
Secretary Benjamin. holding the appointment
until Mr. Benjamin was transferred to the State
Department Under the cartel of exchange
drawn up and signed by Gen. John A. Dix
and Gen. d. H. HILL on behalf OF the resnectiye
belligerents, July 90, 1862 he was appointed
confederate agent Of exchange, and held that
position thencefOrward until the close of the
war. For his efforts to mitigate the rigors of
prison life and his humane treatment of prfs-
oners he received the highest commentator
both north and south. At the surrender of
the confederate forces, on the occupation of
Richmond, he offered his parole to Gen. Grant
who generously declined to take 1t, and instead
OF treating him as prisoner gave him q pass
port and escort to Richmond where. however
at the expiration Of about ten days he was ar.
rested by order of Secretary Stanton and thrown
into prison, from which he was not released un-
I'll the lapse OF two months, having been mean
while indicted for treason deprived of his official
papers and tried by military commission, which
acquitted him.
After the war Judge Guild entered upon the
practice of law at Richmond. Va He was for
some time president of the Richmond, Freder-
icksburg and Potomac railroad, resigninp the
position In June 1881. He was q fine orator.
and ranked with the best lawyers of Virginia.
Mr., Guilds title fudge was obtained by acting
as judge-advOcate In military courts martial dur
Ing his residence in Georgetown. Deceased was
twice married, his first wife being Miss Turpin of
Richmond, by whom he leaves three children.
and the second, Mrs. Handy. Of Baltimore, who
survives with one child. Messrs. Lancaster and
Elisha Guild, of Baltimore, and Mr.. Geo. Ould,
Of Cumberland, Md, are brothers, and Mrs.
Triton. of Fort Reno, Indian Territory, are sisters
OF the deceased.