Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-12-09
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JUDGE JOHN W. STOUT.

MOURNED--THE PUBLIC INTERESTS
LOSE AN EMINENT ADVOCATE.
| At intervals during the past year the
health OF Judge John W. Stout appeared
to lie yielding to inroads which disease and
feebleness of body were making upon his
constitution, but the summons OF death
4 came Unexpectedly. Monday. the 28th OF
November, was the first day of the County
Court Of Augusta, and he appeared upon
the bench after a confinement to his home
of several days, but ON the following day
was too feeble to return to his seat.
Deep solicitude and anxious enquiry was
pictured in many faces, and the universal
prayer assembled that one SO much esteemed
-theleader in whom ceDtered SO largely the
progressive and laudablepublic spirit of the
county government might be spared to
fulfill all the great purposes which
had distinctively marked his admin
istration of eight years duration. The
following Friday morning. December
I'd, at his residence corr e: OF Fred
erick and Market streets, at 11:20 O'Clock
death ensued, in the'42d year OF his age.
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.
The members of the Staunton bar as.
sembled in the court room Saturday, the
Sd, at O'Clock, when the following pro
ceedings took place. George NJ. Cochran,
ESQ.,, was invited on the motion of Mr..
Meade F. White to preside, and Mr.. A. c.
Gordon requested to act as secretary. Ina
few touching words the chairman stated
the object Of the meeting and then Judge
Charles Grattan of the Hastings Caurt Of
the city of Staunton, offered the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
John W. Stout was the youngeat of six chill
dren and had all the advantages of home
life in the country where quiet, worth and
family love made charming hospitality that
knew no bounds. With training such as
abundant means could afford in the best
schools Of the country, he entered the Univer-
sity of Virginia, where his endeavor was
rather to secure its advantages than to wear
its honors. He left with mind strengthened
and cultured, to pursue the practice of the
law in his native county OF Augusta.
He quickly took rank as man of broad
mind, strong sense and legal acumen. A rec
ognition of these qualities soon procured for
him the post of master commissioner and at
the early age Of thirty three, he was elected
judge of the county court of Augusta to fill
an unexpired term. To this position he was
chosen second and third time 1t was in
this sphere that his pains-taking anxiety to do
right, his knowledge eff men. his executive
ability, his we'll balanced Judgment, his
knowledge of the county needs, and his ar
dent desire to fill these needs, shOne with pc
culiar lustre. The quiet dignity of his court,
the steady dispatch of business the many and
mark improvements in the house and grounds
of the court, the bettered condition of the
roads of the county and the iron bridges that
enable trade and travel laugh at floods are in
a large measure due to his steady zeal and
good judgment, aided by board of supervi-
sors, with whom he always worked in harmo-
ny and lived in friendship.
He lived long enough to see completed a
Jail where punishment could be melted with
out torture, confinement without pestilence,
and where the innocent victim of circumstan
ces need not herd with the abandoned repro
bate.
Such are a few of the debts we owe him as
citizen of the county.
Asa member of our bar, he held warmer
place in our hearts. fair and fearless ad-
vocate, firm but courteous opponent, clear
and forcible speaker, a genial and generous
gentleman, he had forged links of steel, that
bound us to him as man, as lawyer and as
Judge. Therefore be it
af Not no 1,oc1 loo
whose active zeal and earnest patriotism have
done much for her prosperity.
g. That the bar of the State loses an Orna-
ment, while we of this city mourn the loss of
one of the warmest OF our friends and bright
est of our band.
That the bench has lost an able, impair
tial and fearless judge.
f. That copy of these proceedings be fur
nished to the several courts of this city with
the request that they be spread upon their
records.
5. That the members of this bar attend the
funeral in body.
Following the presentation of the pream-
BILE and resolutions. the members of the bar
in the order named, rendered in feeling
words and touching expression testimonials
admiration and esteem for the deceased, to
wit-Geo, M. Harrison, John N. Opie, I. G.
Elder. George S. Lightner. Charles Curry,
H. W. Holt and Meade f. White. 1t was
an occasion which called into view sketch
of the life and public services of one whose
memory will be transmitted in the ar
chives of Augusta county with enduring
evidence of the highest appreciation, along
with the noblest and best of her sons who
have passed to their rest. The resolutions
were then unanimously adopted and the
same will be communicated for entry upon
the records Of the city, the county and the
circuit courts.
TuE npCEOTrJEc