Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-28
ABLE LAWYER DEAD
JUDGE WIN. ,. ROBERTSON PASSES
AWAY AT CHARLOTTESVILLE.
Sketch of His Carecr-Bis Early Life
and Educntion-On the Supreme
Court of Appeals Bench - His
Family.


CHARLOTTESVILLE VA. May r.
Judge william j. Robertson died at MS
home, In this city, at 2 o'clock this morn
ing. His death was a surprise to the peo-
pie generally, for. while IL was known
that tho Judge was in failing health, few
had heard that he had grown worse. Inc
funeral will take place at p. NJ. to-
morrow Saturday from Christ Episcopal
church.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
William J. Robertson, Of Charlottes-
Vile, was born In the county OF Culpeper
in the year 1917. He received a classical
and legal education at the University Of
Virginia, from which institution he grad
uated with the diploma of Bachelor OF
Law. He settled in the town OF Char
lottesvllc, and began the practice of his
profession, in which he was eminently
successful. He served as Commemorative
Attorney for the county of Albemarle.
and was connected with some of the most
celebrated civil and criminal cases
throughout his section of the State, win
ming great reputation as a profound law
yer and brilliant advocate. In 1859 judge
Robertson was elected to the Supreme
Court of Appeals by popular election,
over the distinguished John b. Baldwin.
of Augusta, to fill the vacancy on the
bench occasIoned by the death of Judge
Green Il. Samuels. Judge Robertson sery-
ed on the Court of Appeals until April ],
10 mi hai during
time have in the judgment of the Viz
ginia Bar. never been eXcelled in pro-
found knowledge of legal principles.
clearness of expression, and directness
and brevity with which they reached the
solution of the issues involved. Indeed, II
may be said that no judge ever sat upon
the appellate bench In Virginia who more
thoroughly left his impress upon the Julis-
prudence of the State. Upon the recon-
struction of the court after the war,
Judge Robertson returned TO the practice
of law, and at once commanded most
extensive one.
A LARGE PRACTICE.
Although located at Charlottesville, his
practice really extended all over Vir-
ginia; and there are few great cases with
which he has not been connected since
he left the bench. He was of counsel for
General GUSTS Lee in the famous Ar
lington suit. which settled the great prin-
ciple that the United States agents could
not plead the sovereignty of the govern
ment in bar of suit for recovery of pro-
perty in which they were in possession.
Judge Robertson's brief in this case has
been pronounced a masterpiece Of legal
argument. He was counsel for the State
of Virginia in the celebrated Virginia
judges cases, and In many others of al
most equal Importance Judge Robertson
was the general counsel for the Chesa-
peake and Ohio and for the Norfolk and
Western railroad companies. Upon the
formation of the Virginia State Bar AS
ISOLATION, some years ago, he was elected
its first president, and in his annual adj
dress before that body recommended the
of the common law forms of
pleading, and the adoption Of the Code
or reformed system. Great opposition was
for some time manifested TO the PROPOSE
ton, but the association has now APP
pointed committee TO draft such
in the statutes of Virginia as will
effect that end.
HIS FAMILY.
Judge Robertson had been twice mar
ried-first to Hannah c.. the daughter of
General William Il. Gordon, OF Abe
marles, and second to Mrs. Alice Watts
Morris, the famous Virginia belle. The
children Of the first union are Miss Bette
Robertson, of Charlottesville: John c.
Robertson, of California; Mrs. Lucy Gar
den, of New York; Mrs. Sallie Hill, of
Tuscaloosa, Ala; Judge William Gordon
Robertson, of Roanoke; Miss Mary Ro-
bertson, of Charlottesville, and Dr. r.
I i'm Of 10 ri
tory. The children of the second marriage
are Mrs. Emma DuBose, of Charlottes-
Vile; Mrs. Alice Hanckle, of Norfolk;
Edward w. Robertson, of Roanoke; J.
Robertson, of New York,
and Miss Lette Robertson.