The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-06
COL. WV. GORDON DEAD
ONE OF THE MOST EMTSESTJURrsTs
or THE YIRGISIA BAR.
lie Died Sunday Morning Following
Painful Operation for His keiief-A
sketch of His Life and Career.

Richmond now mourns one VI "N'
brightest legal lights. Colonel w. w.
Gordon. brave soldier and eminent
iurist, died Sunday morning at e;SO
O'Clock. at his residence. 200 east Franklin
street.
His death was due TO a complication OF
disorders which had been making inroads
on his health for a year past. All last
week his condition was considered very
critical. and Saturday evening as last
resort a delicate and painful surgical
operation was performed, and though IL
was strongly ho1ed that II would DING
relief he commenced to grow worse a
few hours later, and sank rapidly uhul
the end.
The last time he appeared in any I'M
portant cause was in the argument OF
the famous Bette Thomas-LeWlS case
IN the supreme court In March last, when
as was his custom, he spoke without notes
and made an exhaustive analysis of this
complex matter. He was counsel for the
plaintiff. and his presentation OF the case
was recognized as one OF the most com
plete ever made in the Virginia Court OF
Appeals.
be one OF the ablest jurists in the South,
and he was engaged in many OF the most
important railroad cases which came up
In Southern courts.
His practice was lucrative, and he never
entered any other field. He never aspired
20 or held an Office
He was counsel for the Olcott commit
tee in the late Virginia debt settlement
and had to do with nearly every cele-
brated case before the Virginia bar for
many years.
He had a brilliant mind and wonderful
memory. His power Of combining facts
and presenting the salient points of
case were the admiration Of his asso-
ciates and the dread of his opponents In
an argument
Colonel Gordon was personally very
popular, and his keen wit and sharp
sense Of humor were highly appreciated In
whatever company he associated.
At the bar he was affable and courteous
and always fair and generous TO his op-
ponents. His arguments were always
clear and concise, and he had few equals
before a jury
In his home he was very hospitabe,
and loved 10 have his friends around
him. Even In the last few months, when
his infirmities prevented his mnghng
with the world. he took pleasure in col
lecting his intimate friends around him
that he might enjoy their association
in a quiet way.
He was genial and generous and honora-
BILE I'm every act of his life. In his famliy
he was uniformly affectionate ana de-
voted
He will long be remembered by the
bar Of Virginia as one of the most emil
nent jurists that ever pracuced III heI
courts and his memory will be honOred
for his upright career.
Colonel Gordon was born In the county
of Essex. August 5. 1891, and died In ms
Iic al r.
Thomas Christian Gordon, man OF
prominence I'm that part OF the state.
Colonel Gordon when a boy sixteen
wars Of age. entered the Virginia Mill
fary Institute. and in 1851, four years
later. graduated.
During his course he acted rs an III
structor I'm mathematics lie Afterwards
entered the service Of the United states
Coast Survey, and after several years ne
retired on account of failing eyesight. lie
then entered the law school of the UniVer-
ejty Of Virginia, but only spent part OF
one session at that institution, being COM
pellcd by trouble with his eyes 10 leaVe
after STAYING there four or hVe months
lie first practiced law In his native county
and afterwards moved to Lewisburg, now
In West Virginia. and formed CO.
partnership with Mr.. William smith, one
of the most prominent lawyers or That
section There he was residing when me
war broke out.
He entered the Confederate service as
CAPTAIN Of the Greenbrier Cavalry, and
on the formation of the Twenty-seventh
Virginia Infantry he was elected Its col
onel.
This regiment formed one Of the famous
"Stonewall Brigade" Colonel Gordon was
with Jackson at Harper's Ferry and also
in the famous fight at First Manassas.
In the Life Of Jackson very honorable
mention is made OF hiTa In a letter from
the great commander TO Mrs. Jackson.
In 1863 he was compelled to resign from
the army on account OF i'll health. He re-
tired to one of the family estates in New
Kent. where he remained until 1871, when
he removed to Richmond. Here he at
once entered upon brilliant and sue
cessful legal career.
He married early in life Miss Broken
brough Of the same county and she, with
five children, survive him. They are:
Mrs Otway Warwick and Mrs. w. c.
Lefebre of Richmond, Mrs James Hay Of
Madison and Messrs. Thomas c. and w.
+. Gordon of Richmond. He has
also brother, Mr.. James r. Gordon,
has also a brother Mr.. James r Gordon,
a well-known merchant Of this city.
The funeral services will take place at
St. Pauls church at noon to-day, and
the interment at Hollywood.
IOlONinB ID the llSl VI the Jdll-Dtcl
Messrs. A. l.. Boulware, +. d. Christian,
c. Oh. Cowardin, F. w. Christian, James
T. Gray, Dabney Crenshaw, Judge b. w.
Lacy, Charles u. Williams, Mann S.
Quarles, James b. Pace, George l.. Chris
tian. Charles Il. Whitock, r. G. Pegram,
c. d. Langhorne. DR.. j. A. White, Judge
Roger Gregory, DR.. Lewis Wheat, Byrd
Warwick Judge b. r. Wexford, Jr.,
Alexander Hamilton, S. V. Southall, John
Wise JOhn w JOhOSfOn.
There will be a meeting Of the MEM
bers of the bench and bar this morning
at 10 o'clock at the rooms Of the court
OF appeals 10 take suitable action. a
very fun and prompt attendance is
earnestly desired.
Among those who will attend his fun
eral is Hon. Marshall Hanger of Staun-
ton ex-Speaker Of the House Of Dele
gates who came from stanton for that
purpose. He was q class-mate and life
lorg friend Of Colonel Gordon.
4