The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-09
JUDGE JOSEPH J. DAVIS.
4 DIsTISG UISHED JUBIsT DEAD.
Snatch Of His Useful Career--A Severe
Electrical storm-Big Democratic
Rally at Shelby.

RALEIGH. N. c., August ESPECIAL. J.
A telegram TO Governor Holt this morning
announced the death of Associate Justice
Joseph j. Davis. of the Supreme Court Of
North Carolina, which occurred last night
at 10 o'clock at his home at Louisburg.
Judge Davis had for several months been in
declining health, and mis- death was not uu-
expected. The flag on the State Capitol
was at once placed at half-mast and the
Supreme Court building was draped in
mourning. Tho funeral will take place at
Louisburg tomorrow morning at 1890
o'clock, and a special train will be run from
this city for the occasion. Chief Justice
Merrimon and the Associate justices and
officers of State will attend. Governor
Holt having gone 10 Wrightsyllle to attend
the second encampment or the State Guard,
will not DO able 10 be present at the funeral.
Judge Davis was in the sixty-hfth year OK
his age. His grandfather, William Davis.
was a Revolutionary patriot who lived IN
Franklin county. where his father. JOna-
than Davis. was born and resided, dying
there after a long and useful life, in 1912,
and where Judge Davis himself was born on
April 10. 1873. He was educated at the
Louisburg Male Academy at Wake Forest and
At the University Of North Carolina, where IN
1850 he received the degree OF bachelor Of
laws. Coming TO the bar IN that year.
be first located at Oxford, but three years
later returned to LOuisburg, where his prac-
tice was good until interrupted by the war.
He began life as Wing and was greatly
attached 20 the Union, but early entered tho
military service OF the state and became
captain OF Company Il, fOrty-seYenth regl-
ment Of North Carolina troops. lie shared
with high credit the fortunes OF that cele-
brated regiment and was in the famous
charge at Gettysburg, on which occasion ne
was captured. bel ng subsequently confined
at Fort Delaware and at .sJOhnson's Island.
Just before the war closed he was paFoed
and when peace was declared be returned TO
Louisburg and entered again upon the
practice Of the law. In 1874 he was nomi-
mated FOL Congress in the Fourth district
and was triumphaDtly elected, aud again II
1876 and 1873. He took strong ground on
questions connected With the industrial
interests of the people. He advocated
measures looking 10 an increase of the cur
renoy. and brought forward bill TO repeal
tho 10 per cent tax on State bank notes
aud made an elaborate speech In It's
favor Declining 10 seek fourth
election. he retired 10 the practice of the
law IN 1879 with reputation cooxtensivo
with the limits OF the state and much
thought Of in connection with higher pub
lilo employments la l8S1 be Was appointed
by Governor Scales to the Supreme Court
bench to fiji the vacancy caused by the
death of Judge Ash, 60 which posi-
ton he was elected by the peO-
pie tho following year Judge Davis
was twice married. his first wife having
been Catherine, daughtnr OF Robert j.
Shaw, of Louisburg. by whom ne had five
children, and his second wife being Louisa,
daughter of Benjamin kittrel, Of Gran
vile, 10 whom he was married IN 1888 and
who survives him.
Some two years ago Judge Davis suffered
an attack of prostraton that greatly i'm
paired his physical condition and the effect
OF which was never entirely overcome. At
different times he had relapses and his con-
dition gave his friends much anxious solicit
tude. About six weeks ago he sought health
at Beaufort. but returned fortnight since
so weak that his friends could indulge in
but faint hopes OF his recovery. lie passed
peacefully away last night
There was severe electrical storm here
yesterday. which did considerable damage
throughout this section. The State peni-
tsntiary was struck aud one OF the towers
on the building was demolished. The rear
of the Marlborough House was struck and
a chimney knocked down and all the guests
were badly frightened All streams were
greatly swollen by the heavy rain and
man while driving wagon into the city
yesterday evening came near being drowned
in attempting to ford q creek. His horse
was lost in the torrent.