Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-07-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
In Memorlam.
Judqe Georqe Washtnqton.


After brief illness, at his residence in Cen
tel View, johnson county, Missouri, died
GEoRGE WASHINGTON, formerly resident of
this (Jenerson) county, aged about sixty years.
Judge Washington was born at Cedar Lawn,
In this county, on the 9th of December, 1880.
his father was John Thornton Augustine
Washington, nephew of General George
Washington. His mother was Elizabeth Con-
rad Bedinger, daughter of Captain Daniel
Bedinger Ga Revolutionary soldler). aud a sis
ter of the late Hon. Henry Bediuger, and of
Mrs. Edmund l. Lee, of Shepherdstown, IN this
county.
In March 1856. Judge Washington. with a
colony of friends and relatives, moved to John
son comfy, Missouri.
After brief residence there he went to CAL
ifornia, where he held for sono time the po-
| sition of cashier of customs under his brother
Hon. B. F. Washington, who ut that time was
U. s. Collector of Customs of San francisco.
During the years of 1S5S-59 he edited the daily
and weekly National, and in 1859 obtained a
license to practice law in the supreme court of
California. Resigning his position as cashier
of customs. he returned to Missouri aud GU
tered the Confederate service in 1851. He was
wounded and captured during one of Prices
raids near Fort Scott, Oct 25, 1854, and was
sent to Johnson's Island, aud remained there
until the fall of Richmond. He wRs then trans
ferred to Cairo. from thence to New Orleans,
and finally exchanged at the mouth of Red
River, May 4, 1865. In the spring of 1855 he
returned TO johnson county. He was married
at Otterville, Cooper county, on the II of April,
1871. to Miss Mary Dempsey of that place
BE held the office of county judge from 1872 to
'7S. was justice of the peace many years and
postmaster at Centerview twelve years. which
position he held at the time of his death,
Judge Washington just after attaining his
majority was nominated for the House of Del
egates by the Democracy of this county, but
failed of his election by very few votes.-
While cashier of the customs In California he
handled millions of dollars of public money,
and the accounts of the office when finally set
lad
ernment, which was duly certified by the De-
partment at washington, and paid over TO the
Collector of Customs after the close of the
civil war. Indeed. sterling and infexible hon.
esty was one of Judge Washington e most strik-
ing characteristics. He was, also, a man of
the very highest and most chiYalrous courage.
After his first term of enlistment as private
in General Prices army had expired he was
connected with the quarter masters depart
mcnt in Texas. but soon tired of such iuactiv-
ity, and went to Arkansas and enlisted again
as private, In the command of Gen'l Marina
duke. He rose to the rank of lievtenant, and
was appointed adjutant to Col. Cartoons reg
iment of Arkansas troops. While serving in
this position, he was wounded and captured,
ns above stated.
He was gentleman of fine literary taste,
and marked genius.
When impelled by strong sense Of duty to
abandon California, and enter the Southern
army as private soldier. he left behind him
the promise of brilliant journalistic career.
| He embarked everything in the cause of his
country, and lost health. property and fame in
the grand struggle which marked the period of
the eivilwar. Inthe utilitariau sense Of world
| ly prosperity. his career was not successful ;
but in the higher and truer sense of q strict
unfalteriug devotion to duty. his life was en-
inentlY successful. and his example worthy of
remembrance and imitation.
| In his adopted county and State he had
many warm admirers and friends. who assem-
bled in large numbers TO pay their last tribute
of respect at his funeral. In this, the comfy
of his birth, many of his old friends and rela-
donR survive to mourn his demise and to cher
| ish his memory.
The writer knew him intimately from boy
hood, and he can say conscientiously, and
known a character more manly, chiValrOus,
brave and upright. L.