Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-04-10

| years tn adorn the future as in the past Where
| are the other four? Baldwin, Niche, FuttZ
| and now Shaffey have passed over the river
| 1t is sad to think that, like the dew on the
mountain. the mist on the river. and the bub-
| BILE on the water. they have gone
The deeds they have done will be the pridt
| of their lives. Speaking OF Judge Sheffey, b.
remarked that he possessed some virtues in al
| eminent degiee. Virtues as able in the pur'
suit OF his profession AZ they were when criti-
cised in contest. He always retired from the
bar without resentment. lie cherished the
kindest feelings. Verify he loved his enemies
TAKE him, all in ALL we shall ne'er look upon
his like again."
Major Elder then read as follows:-
"Rno,v ne NOT that there is a Prince and a gre, 4
man fallen this day in Isrdelf :"
Again has the Bar of Staunton suffered from
a visitation OF the great Destroyer. This tim
the one stricken down was the oldest ant
most distinguished in our ranks. He has gOn
to his reward. full of years and full OF honors.-
As a golden sheaf OF matured grain, he wa
spared by the fell reaper I'LL ripe for the
harvest and whilst his Surviving brethre1
can but deeply lament the loss OF one possesses
of so many rare and varie gifts and accom-
piisbments, and whose career has shed a.
little luster on the noble profession of the la"
they do. nevertheless, find some consolation
in the fact that he was permitted to H.
beyond the three score years and ten nameu
by the Palmist as the period of mans life o.
transcribed the allotted period, SO FAR from
beins ou,y labor and sorrow" were. almos'
to the end. years OF ceDgenial professional EN-
ployment and general usefulness.
Hon. Hugh White 1hefey, LII d.. departeo
this life a, mis- residence in the city of Staun-
ton. Virginia on the morning OF money
ginia April 18th 1915 If he had lived four day.
longer, pc would have been seventy-foui year,
of age. In the year 1910. he removed to Staun
ton and commenced the practice OF law a
this bar, and here be continued to reside and
to practice his profession until the last. Ht
was always an industrious, euterprisps. ano
public-spirited man. His talents and attain
ments were recognized at the outset of his bust
ness life. From the first, he took good pu.
His active mind, energetic nature, and
patriotic impulses led him to take lively
interest In political affairs. From ls46 to 1850
the General Assembly of Virginia He was
also member of the Convention of 1850 which
reformed the Constitution of the State. In thit
ship many Of the most distinguished men 81
the state, he acquitted himself with unusua
no mber OF the state Senate. He was tn.
~peaker ofthe House of Delegates of the war
Legislature of Virginia-the regular bods
which was in mpathy with the Con federate
Government and was in the Chair when the
final order If adj lurnment at The last session
of that body was pronounced. Shortly afte1
fully re -ha biiitated, our distinguished brothe'
vas app inted by Governor Pierpoint Judge
OF this Judicial circuit. and discharged tn.
duties OF the office for s. eIiOd of about thres
years This position afforded ample opp"r
unity for the exercise and application of hi.
legal ability and learning. and how hey Were
employ ed by him Is best attested by the
records OF the Courts over which he presided.
and the concurrent opinion of the lawyers who
practised before him. Upon every case that
came before him for trtsl, great or small, he
bsstowed thu most careful attention; and IT,
all important chaUcery causes his habit was To
deliver written opinion, and also TO prepare
he decree himself. Perhaps no other creu"
judge IL the Niate ever wrote, with his Ow'
hand in the same length of time, as many de-
crpes az did Judge Sheffry during the thfe.
wears he sal on the bench. Aud his opinion.
were not only well written. but as rule were
exhaustive and convincing. change n
policy of the cLangeful reconstruction stare
sloeernment of the period, removed JudgH
She fey from the bench, and he Al once re-
turned To the bar, and. without difficulty. re-
time until his death the law was his main. ir-
deed his ouiy pursuit IN life 80 Wa led anG
Extensive were his professional experience
and reading and such was hia mental dis
ciDl1ne, That the course of lee ures ne 10
the habit OF d liveripg in late years before the
Is W danar eDt of Washington and Lee Uui
yersity was to HIM rather "a labor of love-
nan matter OF busifeSs. Like all earnest
tuu good men he was f,ud ot imparting wha,
ne knew, aud his facility in doing SO was ex-
cepli"nal
Amongst Judge Sheff,.y's numerous attain
.,,e..ts extensive and accurate Know
eigA OF Eel s'asicii law Shicr added to his
knowledge o. PariIan EMERY Law and SIX III ~
presiding officer, made him an iDvauahi.
mem her of the legislative bodies Of tn churc
# which he was Z@alous aud devoted com
nunicaRt. For many Years IN succession he
represented his parish In the Diocesan Council
of the Epi-copa Church in Virginia and
often, as a lay delegate, represented the Diocese
IN the General convention of the Church. His
services in these positions have caused him to
ne widely known In Church circles. But
= Il TO- NhaC k1tr~ rla1
MIN as the duty of loving son to II venerable
"ether. and in it he saw no element of secular
labor.
@ Judge SheGay's characteristics as lawyer
aud Jurst time dps not suffice TO speak Ia
,ie,ail on THIS occasion. Possessed OF mind
naturally stron' and quicK, thoroughly trained
by liberal education. and improved by con
-taot residing and study; with habits of indus
try that made work q pleasure, perseverance
that recognized but Ie~ obstacles and power
of epdu:an that was truly maxwell, us in one
81 his slender and delicate frame; and with
rare skill and pishments, both as y
writer and speaker, ne usually exhausted
every case that he touched His active MIND
vas ever on the alert, and but few things
capped it, HIS earnest and impetuous nature
sometimes betrayed him into an aggressive
course In encouragement of a case at the bar;
but opportunity for moments calm ref1ec
,ton was ALL that was needed to insure full rep
4ratian on hts part for any injustice or dis
courtesy oUards an adversary. He was en-
tirely free from malice. He not only forgave.
out forgot injuries. Rarely, If ever, was he
concerning profe sional brother. Verify was
be endowed In larger measure than most.
men with tue most excellent Gift of Charity
1t is sad to think we shall see hi N in our midst
no more, here In this court room, or in his
own home OF in ours. or upon our streets. The
places OF earth that once knew him will know
MIN no more forever But whilst he discharges
the duties of This world better than most men,
ne lived not for it alnue. He claimed Fa her
In heaven; in that Fathers house are many
mansions and one of these mansions we be-
,ieve to be his.
AS some evidence of our bereavement at his
de4 tn, aud as an i'm p-rfect testimonial of our
regard for the memory OF The deceased, il Is by
this meeting
Resolved. That the Conris holden in this city
DE ed To have this Minnie Spread on their
records; that b cory thereof be sent TO the
family of our departed brother; that the same
BE- published in the newspapers of this city
and Furthermore. that the members of the bar
mere assemo ed will attend, In a b,tds, the
funeral of the deceased and wear the usual
oaoge of mourning for thirty days.
Captain James Bumgardner, Jr., for thirty
TWO ears the partner aud endeared friend OF
Judge Sheffey, then spoke briefly with deep
emotion and with touching words. During
heir long association. he said. their relations
were as close and as CO fidential as it was pos
sble, and as near as those of father and son
Dnring all the time he knew the limos,
thoughts OF the deceased OF results in contests
at the bar 1t was his haot to g. eak to him, In
all candor he could say he never heard him
speak except In kindness of human bling or
uncharitsbly ola human action. This much
he thought due from INN TO speak as he knew
him. The loss he sustaiuei nc person an esLi-
mate, even in tue loss OF The dearest friend or
| father. Others who would follow h,m would
spsak Of MIN in the fuller reiatons OF hts lie t.,
| the pubic. bui he thought IL due from him /,
say much as h. had.
Captain .IohD CoiR next addressed the
| HeeLing. AID raid a IA tnds bna louis Lu rat
| ability, virtues. anu f.1endsnips of jude shef
| fey.
| dajor Elder then read the following letter
| from Hon. Alex IL. d. stuart, htcn on ia /,
| ton OF q plain Opte, was made part of the pro
| ceedings:-
| Mr. Chdirn1dn.-I regret very much that In
| cnDst Quence oi my advanced age and infiru
| nealtn. do not teal able 10 attend and tax
part in the uro :eedinss ~ the Bar, 10 be hes,
| at he court house. at ten O'ciock this morn
lug. To pay the Lass tribute of respect I'D TIN
| memory of our late associate the II on. Hug
| W. Shelley.
have known Judge -heffey from his boy
90 ID. tud for nsdrls 1Orty years We're nc
tive pIact TONERS at the same bar, associate
ar adve,s,ries in many important legal con
trov~Tsies. During ell that ime. he was recog
nized as learned lawyer and abb aud taithfu