The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-21
JUDGE STAPLES DEAD.
The Notable Lawyer Died at Chris
tianshurg Yesterday.

\ Judge Waller r. Staples, of Chris
tiausburg, died ,at his home yesterday
morning at o'clock. Judge Staples had
been in declining health for several
months, but his friends and relatives ap.
pretended no immediate danger and the
sad pews of his death received in this
city yesterday morning was great shock
to his many friends and admirers here.
Judge Staples was born at Patrick
Court House in the old family homestead
built by his grandfather in the year 1895,
and spent his boyhool days in his native
county. He graduated with high honors
at the University of North Carolina, at
Chapel Hill and at William and Mary
College Isl Virginia.
The deceased studied law under Judge
Taliaferro, of Rocky Mount. and when
quite young man formed copartner-
ship with VIM Ballard Preston, of Chris
tiansburg, who was afterwards secretary
of the navy under President Tyler's adj
ministration. Judge Staples was elected
and served several terms in the State
legislature from Montgomery county be-
fore the wal and served four years in the
Confederate congress. After the war I'M
der the new constitution he was elected
one of the judges of the first court of APP
peals under the present constitution and
served in that capacity from 1871 to 1883.
When he retired from the bench he went
to Richmond and fGrmed Il copartnership
with B. b. Munf5fd, which continued
until his death. Judge Staples, with the
assistance of Judges Il. G. Burke and w.
Riley. revised the code in 1887.
The deceased was a grandson of Maj.
Samuel Staples, an officer in the Revolu-
tionary war, who was promoted for gal
lantry ON the field of battle and who af-
forwards married Miss Lucinda Penn,
daughter. of Abram Penn, who was a col
onel in the same war. Shor6ly after the
war ended Major Staples moved to Pc t.
rick county. when it was first formed.
Col. Samuel Staples was The first clerk of
the court of Patrick county anu held the
position until his death, and was sue
ceeded by his son, Col. Abram Staples, the
father of the deceased, who held the posi-
ton until his.leath.
Judge Staples had one brother. the late
Samuel G. Staples, and several sisters
Miss Mamie Staples who married Cyrus
G. Mundenhall, OF Greensboro, n G.; Miss
kizie Reid Staples, who married Nicho-
las Hairston, of Mississippi, and Mary
Staples, who married Henry Kellogg. of
Greensboro, n. G. The deceased was
never married.
Judge Staples was an old time Wing
and an ardent union man until President
Lincoln called Tor Virginia's quota OF
volunteers. 1t was then that he decided
to cast his sympa;hies with his State
After the war he allied himself with the
Democratic party and ever since has been
loyal TO his convictions and his party
Since his retirement from the bench
Judge Staples has made valiant fight in
every State and national campaign since.
until his health failed him. He was we'll
known throughout the State, and upon
his advent as a la Eyer he Mt once arose to
prominence and was considered second to
none in the State. AS IL debater he had
few equals aud as an orator he was the
peer of almost any man in the South.
His nearest living relatives are those
mentioned above and the children of the
ate Judge Samuel q Staples, rs follows:
Hon. A. p. Staples, Daniel Del. Staples.
the late Mrs. L. l.. Mor, Dr. Samuel G.
Staples, who is in Washington, Waller Il.
Staples Jr., who is in the West, and Mrs
Joel w. Daniel, of Martinsville.
The funeral will take place this morn
ing at II O'Clock at the Presby teran
Church in ChristiansbIrg, after which
the remains will be brought to this city
on the 30 n. m. train. The funei al pro.
cession will form at the Union depot and
the remains will be conveyed ut once to
Fairvicw Cemet ry and laid to resi- in the
Staples burial section.