Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-21
services ss Lnvmnkcr, Member of
FRO, isional and Confederate Com
aresscS, Presidential EIcctor, and
supreme Court Judge.

NN4iN was NNIAlNiAf s'A AAAo itAft'is AA-N''N""
throughout the State were not prepared
for the shock occasloned by his death
The end was peaceful, though rather
sudden. and was the result Of a general
breaking down Of his physical system,
ana the inhrmities consequent upon his
advanced years.
Judge Staples began TO fail in health
more than a year ago. lie had func-
tional heart trouble. which in the spring
became OF so serious a nature that his
physician forbade him to take any vio-
tent exercise OF any kind or 10 allow
himself TO be subjected 10 any form Of
excitement In the carry summer he
went 10 bis country home at Christians
burg. in Montgomery county. Va, in the
hope OF regaining his health, and it was
there that he quietly passed away yester-
day morning.
Only a week ago Judge Staples who
was one OF the most ardent Democrats
in Virginia was in attendance upon the
State Democratic Convention at Roanoke.
While there he was, of course. feeble
but had a pleasant word for every one
who approached him. and those who saw
his familiar face in that vast assemblage
OF Democrats did not then think IL would
be the last gathering of that character
he would ever commingle with. HIS
death causes sadness among all classes
and conditions Of people.
HIS DECLINE WAS RAPID.
After Judge Staples's return from Roa-
noke 10 was observed that he was not
so well. but no very serious results were
apprehended on Wednesday the form
Of his disease was such that sudden
death was not expected. and the opinion
Of his physicians was that this was not
10 be his last sickness. but that he would
I'm all probability rally again. Thurs
day morning his condition became quite
alarming and for a time it was thought
he could not survive. He. however, be-
came better I'm the afternoon his pulse
growing stronger and everything indi-
eating that the worst was over. About
S o'clock at night he began 20 grow worse
and seemed TO suffer great difficulty in
breathing He was conscious, and knew
and spoke TO persons as they entered his
room. but could not make himself well
understood. lie seemed TO derive more
comfort in sitting up IN a large easy
chair than in occupying any other posi-
ton. He was surrounded by relatives
and friends. who. with loving hands, min
istered to his every want
him 10 lie down, and he was helped to
his bed and soon ii was apparent that
ne had but few hours 10 live. As death
APPROACHED he became more quiet, his
breathing less and less labored. and
gently his spirit took its flight. Hoster-
d. there was morning all over the
little town of Christiansbu' 6. wSeie t1s
best years of his life were spent, ana
where me was held in such affection and
esteem.
THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
Judge staples had expressed the de-
sire TO be buried in the Cemetery at Roa-
noke city. where his brothers remains
are inferred, and i'm carrying out this
wish U has been arranged TO have the
funeral services in the Presbyterian
church at Christiansburg this morning
az n o'clock After this service the re-
mains viii be taken TO Roanoke on the
train which arrives there az 1875 i. NJ
and tho ntermont will take place imme-
diately.
The following pall-bearers will accom-
pany the body from Christiansburg:
onorary-General q. c. Wharton, w.
J. Pierce. j. II. Miller, and r. ID. NJ.
Charlton.
Active-H c. Preston, r. T. Mosby
J. r. Johnson. c. l. Wade, u. L. Camp
bell. and Archer A. Phlegar.
Other pall-bearers selected in Roanoke
will join these when the funeral party
reaches there.
PROFOUND SORROW IN RICHMOND.
The news Of Judge Staples's death
caused profound sorrow here He was
thoroughly Identified with the bench and
bar Of the entire State. but with the mem
hers of the legal fraternity of this city
he was especially closely allied.
AS senior member of the well-l1nown
law firm of Staples & Munford, his prac-
lice. even IN later years. was very large.
and until il was imperative that he should
do So on account Of his health. he did
not retire from active engagements there
in. Some Of his best work at the bar
was done toward the close o. his bril-
liant career.
Very few Of Judge Staplcs's compeers
are sull living. one of the last to cross
the great river was Judge Edmund c.
Burk. Of Bedford county. who died a
couple Of months ago. The Richmond
lawyers who have been most frequently
iu cases with or otherwise associated with
judge Staples. are Hon. W. w. Henry
Captain Charles L.. Williams, Judge
Joseph Christian. who was on the Su-
preme Court bench with him from 1870 to
lss2; Judge George L. Christian. Judge
William Josiah Leake Major Charles s.
StringfellOw. Captain John A. Coke.
Major Robert Stiles, Judge Wexford. Mr..
Eugene C.. Massie. Mr.. w. O. Skelton
MT James Peasants. and Mr. John How
ara. Many OF these gentlemen are out
o. the city. but those at home expressed
The deepest sorrow yesterday when they
learned Of the death Of their honored
friend.
Many Richmonders, among them Dr.
Hoge would have gone 10 attend the
funeral had they been apprised as TO it's
arrangement in time to have arranged
20 do SO. Mr.. b. B. Munford. Judge
Stapies's law partner, was in Vermont
at tho time Of the lattcr's death. but will
probably be at the funeral.
sketch Of Judge StapIes's Life.
Hon. Waller Reed staples was a native
OF Virginia. and had lived within. her
borders all his life. lie was proud that
ne was a Nirginian. lie was identified
with all that meant the upbundlna and
advancement OF the Mother Of States"
and had been a prominent figure In her
political and official history for nearly
half century. Judge Staples was I'm
he l2d year OF his age when he died.
having been born in Stuart, Patrick coun-
". February q, 1896. lie was a son OF
Colonel Abram Staples. a distinguished
NHginian I'm his time When young
Staples had made considerable advance
Rent in the schools OF his native town
t' parents. who were ambitious for him,
t.at him 10 the University of North
carolina. At this seat Of learning the
young Nirginian took a high stand and
tilfr remaining there two years he at
teilod William and Mary College from