Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-12-07
Death Of Judge John W. stout.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAR OF SrAUNToN-TH
FUNERAL AND BURIAL.

Death Of Judge John w. Stout.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAR OF SrAUNToN-TH
FUNERAL AND BURIAL.
The unexpected and much lamented dealt
of Judge John w. Stout, which occurred a
his residence on Frederick street at IL ocloc
, last Friday morning, of hemorrhage OF tn
, stomach, was a surprise and a shock to tn
whole community. Those who saw hin
presiding as Judge of the County Court on tn
Monday preceding had no idea that he woul'
be corpse on Friday morning. We mourn
his loss not only as the capable, honest, i'm
partial and conscientious Judge; not only
the patriotic and public-spirited citizen; bu
as valued and intimate personal friend
In his death the county, for whose best inter
ests he was so solicitous, and which his wis
dom and sound judgment and public spiri
did so much to advance, suffers very grea
loss. For more than eight years he had served
as the honest. upright Judge. holding the
scales of Justice evenly balanced, and presl
ding with dignity and considerate courtesy
winning the confidence, esteem, and friend
ship of all. 1t is sad that he should be cut
down by the scythe of the memorable reaper
| in the meridian of his life and his usefulness
He was Al years of age. He was son of the
late James M. Stout of New Hope in this
county His wife, who was Miss Kate Nelson,
daughter of William ]. Nelson. Esq, former
| ly of this city, now of Florence, Alabama)
and his sister, the wife of Judge J. N. Quarles,
and his brother, William /. Stout, survive
him.
ACTION OF THE BAR OF STANTON.
At o'clock p. m. last Saturday a meeting
of the Bar of Staunton was held to pay its
tribute to the memory of the deceased. Hon.
George M. Cochran was called to the chair,
and Hon. A c. Gordon acted as Secretary.
Judge Charles Grattan, Judge of the Hus-
tings Court of this city, offered the following
preamble and resolutions which were unani-
mously adopted and a committee appointed
to present them to the County, Circuit, and
City Courts to be entered upon their records -
John w. Stout was the youngest of six
children 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 a training such as
abundant means could afford in the best
=
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
ignition 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 a third time. 1t was in
this sphere that his pains-taking anxiety to do
right, his knowledge of men, his executive
ability, his well balanced Judgment, his
knowledge of the county needs, and his ardent
desire to fill these needs, shone with peculiar
lustre. The quiet dignity of his court, the
steady dispatch of business, the many and
marked 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 to laugh
at floods are in large measure due to his steady
zeal and good judgment, aided by board of
supervisors. with whom he always worked i'll
harmony and lived in friendship.
He lived long enough to see completed Il
Jail where punishment could be melted with
out torture. confinement without pestilence,
and where the innocent victim of circum-
stances need not herd with the abandoned re-
probate.
"Such are a few of the debts we owe him as
a citizen of the county.
AS member of our bar, he held warmer
place in our hearts. A fair and fearless advo
cate, firm but courteous opponent, clear
and fofcible speaker, genial and generous
gentleman. he had forged links of steel, that
bound us to him as a man, as a lawyer and as
Judge Therefore be it
"Resolved-1st, that the county has lost a
son whose active zeal and earnest patriot SIN
have done much for her prosperity.
80 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
brightest of our band.
80 That the bench has lost an able impair
tial and fearless judge.
II That Il copy of these proceedings be
furnished to the several courts of this city
with the request that they be spread upon
their records.
SO. That the mem bers of this bar attend the
funeral in body"
On the presentation of the preamble and
resolutions, and pending their adoption, elo-
quent and feeling tributes TO the character of
the deceased as an able, faithful, impartial,
and conscientious Judge; as useful, patriotic,
and philosophical citizen, and as warm
hearted and genial friend, whose loss all
deeply deplore, were delivered SUCCESSFULLY by
the following members of the Bar
George NJ. Harrison, Captain John n. Opie,
Major T. G. Elder, George S. Lightner, Charles
Curry, H. w. Holt, and NJ. F. White.
FUNERAL AND BURIAL.
The funeral services, by Rev. D. w. Shanks
D. D., temporary Pastor of the First Presby-
terrain church, and Rev. w. J. E. Cox, Pastor
of the Baptist church. took place at 8 o'clock
Sunday afternoon in the First Presbyterian
church, which spacious building was filled by
the friends of the deceased, including the
members of the Staunton Bar in body, the
officers and attaches of the several courts, and
the members, in a body, of the Staunton
Lodge of Masons, of which he was member.
No sermon was delivered, and the services
consisted of singing hymns, the reading of
appropriate scripture passages by Rev. Mr..
Cox and an impressive prayer by Rev. DR..
Shanks. The following hymns were sung:
"Come ye that labor and are heavy laden;
There is land of pure delight; and Jesus,
lover of my SOUL"
At the conclusion of the services in the
church. the long funeral cortege proceeded to
Thornose cemetery where the remains were
deposited in the grave with Masonic cere-
monies.
The following were the pall-bearers:-
Activc-A. F. Robertson, J. H. Wayt J. B.
Woodward, Edward Echols. Jacob Yost, N, c.
Watts, W. A. Burnett, R. s. Turk, NJ. F.
White and G. G.. Gooch.
Honorary Jed Hotchkiss, G. NJ.
Harrison, Captain James Bumgardner, S. H.
Walker, DR.. George S. Walker Judge Charles
Grattan, Major 7. C. Elder and s. F. Pilson.