South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-04-07
Sudden Death of Judge j. F. Patton.

One OF the most shockingly sudden
aud deplorable deaths which have star
tied this community for long time. oc.
Cured at the Mcclure House shortly be.
fore midnight last night, when, without
warning, Judge JAS. r. PATTON expired
from heart disease. he had been sl;ght.
y indisposed for day or two, but was
not confined 20 his room, nor was there
anything IN his symptoms TO cause him
SELF or hts friends alarm or unessiness.
Last night lee complained OF feeling quite
unweii. and had retired TO bed. A few
friends were in his room, and he had
been ccnversing with them, when sud-
denly, with a couvulsive star. aud gasp.
he ceased to breathe. Ills friends did
not Tor an instant resliza the truth.
linen DR.. A. r. Summers, of Charleston,
who has remained IN the city since re-
lieyed OF his duties a. President of the
Senate by the adjournment Of the Le-
gislature, and DIR. II. S. Harvey, OF this
city, examined him, but found that he
had passed beyond the reach OF their
skill.
James French Patton was the youn cest
Judge who Was ever raised to a position
on the supreme bench OF the State, as
veil as the youngest man holding such 8
position in the United Statos, He vas
nut thirty eight years OF age, and was
appointed TO the Supreme Court of An
peals last juno, to FL the vacancy occs-
stoned by the resignation of Judge c.
+. L. Moore. He was married TO q
daughter OF the late u. s. Senator Allen
Il t,agprfOr g..
children to mourn his untinely and sud.
Den demise. His home was at union,
honroe county, and prior to his appoint
ment as Judge he was prscticing law
yer. and had been Prosecuting Attorney
OF Monroe county.
Whom the war broke ont Judge Pat
ton vas boy OF sixteen, going to school
st Culpepper. he at once Joined the
Twenty second Virgins regiment Of the
Confederate army; of which his brother
George was Colonel, and wss appoint
ed Adjutant. He served in that posi-
ton al through the war. and ut Cold
harbor received terrible wound. ,he
marks OF which ne bore till his death.
lie bad four brothers in the Confederate
army, Coionels OF the twentieth, twenty.
first ant twsntyss.cond Virginia, and
twenty-third Louisiana regiments, res-
peehYsiy. 1hres Of them were killed,
two sc Gettysburg. The family acLiev-
Ell distinction by their gal!autry and de-
volIon to the cause they had espoused.
Judge Patton's father, Hon. John NJ
Patton, wss .or years tue furemost fi--
urs 0! the Virginia bar, and was regard.
ei ss tho ablest Attorney General tie
State ever hat. HIS ancestors on his
nothsT's silo were $50 OF distinguished
position III pesco aud war, and Judge
Patton iuhcrited in an eminent decree
the ability of his parents.
lie MAS devoted tc lis wife and chill
d.en wilh in attachment which was
! touching 10 those observing il, and
which makes his death appeal strongly
10 The .symPathies OF bic friends, who
have much ROBSON TO sorrow CD their
own account Hs WAC possessed in an
unusual degree oil those qualities which
attach friends warmly ana firmly To tile
possessor, and win not only Tue ad Mrs
ton and friendship, but the love OF as
sociates.
Brilliant "a q lawyer, able and upright
"a Judge, pare and noble AZ mar.
and honorable in ell tie relations OF life.
BIS death mnst 30 regarded aa a publ G
calamity, and his place will be hard
indeed TO fill Th:eiihg huteiiigeaeer,
March 81.