Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-10-26
Augusta at the Shrine of her Eminent
Dead.

During the morning session of the
County Court Monday, Judge Stout
presiding, a scene of unusual interest
occurred. Mr.. Charles W. Lyle, the
youngest member of the Augusta bar,
arose and in brief and eloquent utter
ances, sketched prominent events and
associations in the histories of three
eminent citizens who have of late years
finished their course on earth, Hon.
Alex. II. II. Stuart, Judge Hugh w.
Shelley and Judge David t'ultz, were
the names, it was proposed that
Augusta county should honor, by testi-
monials, that in all the future would
call up the recollections of their public
services and perpetuate in memory
their great worth. Over the seat of
justice, in the courtroom there are
now portraits of Chief Justice Mar
shall, Thomas J. Niche and John B.
Baldwin, and in association with them
he made motion requesting Judge
Stout to cause portraits to be placed
of the eminent men he named.
Captain James Bumgardner followed
in support of the motion. in which he
referred to the portraits that now
adorn the courtroom. After references
to the Chief Justice, he passed to the
consideration of the motion made by
Mr.. Lyle and laid upon the shrine of
the memories it was in this way pro.
, posed to transmit, the affectionate
tributes of his full heart and noble
mind Mr.. Stuart, in the service of
his people in the legislature, in Con-
gress and in the Cabinet, setting in
motion a great department of the gen
eral government, as well as the emf
nent patron of education and the in
spring figure in the progress of his
own people, displayed the powers of
craftsmanship and the leading citizen.
In those words of tender esteem,
that can so appropriately fall from his
lips, when the name of Judge Shelley
is called to mind, the reference to one
of his decisions when ON the bench,
that called out the admiration of
Judge of the Supreme Court of the
United States, made deep impression
upon the audience.
OF Judge Fultz he also spoke in
earnest words, and whose memory
should. be thus transmitted in filling
up the history of departed worth. He
earnestly hoped the way would be
clear in the mind of the court to carry
out what he believed was the desire of
the people of the county.
Mr.. Edward Echols followed Captain
: Bumgardner. He stated that some
months since he had made motion
similar to that which had been so
touchingly presented by his young
friend Mr.. Lyle. He was sure the peo-
pie of Augusta were in accord with
the object, and trusted that the way
would be clear in the mind of the
Judge to recommend it to the Board
of supervisors.
Mr.. P. A. Baylor next spoke to the
proposition. In his travels in the
West he had observed this method of
transmitting the memories of eminent
men, and, he cordially approves it i'm
this instance. He spoke of the pro-
found impression the gallery of por-
traits at Washington & Lee University
made upon him as he viewed it not
long since. Let us carry out the prop
osition, for it would fmpart to stran-
gers as well as those to come after
the highest appreciation of the charac-
tiers of the people who had thus per
petuated historic names.
Mr.. William Patrick continuing in |
support of the movement said he |
would not attempt to add anything to
the beautiful tributes which had been
delivered by Mr.. Lyle and Capt. Bum
gardner to eminent worth. He sin
cerely believed the movement was in
entire harmony with the wishes of the
people of Augusta. In honoring these |
illustrious names we honor ourselves
by completing the design.
Major James B. Dorman said, COM!
mencing with reference to Mr.. Stuart,
that he knew him, from his Maj. D's)
early life and knew him " ell. and that
he knew Judge sheffey intimately