Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-11


of the Supreme Court; Judge Lamb, OF
the Chancery Court, and Judge Wexford,
of the Circuit Court. The Bar OF Rich
mond, the Bar of Norfolk, and the MEM
bers Of the bar generally throughout this
judicial district, were practically unani-
nous in their endorsement of Judge Wad-
dill while the whole weight OF the Re
publican party was behind hin.
The news was communicated to Judge
Waddill yesterday morning while he was
engaged in case in the INV and Equity
Court, in a private Telegram from Hon.
George f. Bowden, who is at present In
Washington He passed the telegram over
TO Mr.. George j. Hooper, Jr., who is as
ISOLATED with him in the case, with the
remark, that his appointment had found
him pursuing the railroads." and he
continued his examination Of witness,
as though nothing had happened. The
news soon spread, however, and Judge
Waddill was congratulated on all sides.
1t Is a matter of interest that Judge
Waddill will continue to reside in Rich
mond. and that he has determined to
abandon any further active participation
in politics His place on the State Repub-
lican Executive Committee will, 1T is
thought, be filed by General Stith Boil
ing, and the mantle of leadership OF the
party will fall on Colonel James ID. Brady
and Hon. George f. Bowden.
SKETCH Or THE JUDGE.
Judge waddlII has been for many years
a prominent member OF the Virginia Bar,
and a lawyer of well-earned reputation.
He was born in Charles City county, Va,
May Y, 1850, and his elevation TO the
bench at this time makes him the young
est OF the United states judges. After
receiving liberal education in the coun-
ry schools, young Wadnll entered upon
clerical work as deputy in the office OF
the County Clerk OF his county, and Tor
several years thereafter did work OF THIS
Kind in his and other counties. He began
to study law at the University of Vlr-
ginia, and was admitted TO the bar In
1871 In 1879 he was elected Judge or the
County Court OF Henrico, over which ne
presided for three years, resigning TO ac-
cept an appointment by President Arthur
as United states District Attorney Tor
the Eastern District of Virginia, when
position he filled until 1875, when, In the
tall of that year, be was elected 10 the
Legislature from Henrico county being
reelected in 1887 and resigning the FOL
lowing year to take his seat IN the Fifty
first Congress. He was his party's nomi-
nee for Speaker Of the House Of Dele
gates,
for Congress in 1886, but was defeated.
HIS FAMILY.
In December 1878 Judge Waddill mar
ried Miss Alma c. Mitchell, OF Hanover
county, and TO them have been born two
sons and three daughters. Judge Wad-
dilrs father, Edmund Waddill, Sr, was
also born and reared in Virginia, and
married Miss Mary Maylard, also OF VIZ
ginia.
Judge Waddill was one of the earliest
and most attached friends OF the late
General Malone, and particularly so du-
ring the later years of the Generals life.
At the time of the appointment of Judge
Golf to the bench of the United States
Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Waddill
was prominently mentioned for that po-
sition. but declined TO allow the use OF
his name. He has been a member OF the
Republican state Committee, and also OF
the State Executive Committee, for near
ly twenty years. He was delegate TO
the national convention at Minneapolis
and was chairman Of the delegation from
Virginia to the ST. Louis convention when
President Mckinley was nominated. his
friendship with the President dates from
his term I'm Congress. and a year before
the nomination of Mckinley he was con-
suited first of all the Republican leaders
by the friends of the President in regard
to the attitude of Virginia Republicans.
Among the important suits In which
Judge Waddill distinguished himself at
the bar may be mentioned the remark
able case of Bette Thomas Lewis lcol-
ored). who recovered something like WV
900 upon her claim TO a gift, causa morts,
from her father, the late w. A. Thomas'
of this city, He was leading counsel In
the important suit involving the title 10
the entire trust property known as the
Ford trust estates, involving not only
the title TO Ford's Hotel, but TO some
$780, 900 worth of property. He was also
counsel for Miss Hildebrand in her suit
against the Richmond Traction Com
pany. and has for some years made
speciality of damage suits, and has won
success in that branch of his profession
Other Appointments Expected.
1t was authoritatvely stated yesterday
that the appointment of Mr.. Wray I.
Knight as postmaster Of Richmond VIII
be announced in a day or so. IL Is said
to have been positively agreed upon.
Mr.. Edgar Allan, II is said, will shortly
be appointed to succeed Mr.. w II. White,
Of Norfolk, as District Attorney.