The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-03
ANOTHER JUDGE
DIES SUDDENLY.
Hon. Samuel F, Coleman Passed
Away Sunday Night.
TAKEN ILL WHILE TRAVELLING.
Was on His Way 10 Buckingham TO
Hold Conrt when He Collapsed and
Expired on Reaching County
Seat-Sketch of His Life.

The following telegram from Cunber-
land Courthouse received yesterday an
nounced the death Of a distinguished
Virginian:
Judge Samuel +. Coleman died last
night al buckingham Courthouse az 1880.
lie had been iil only a short while. The
funeral Will take place tomorrow in
Cumberland county at 3 o'clock
He was ON his way to Buckingham
Courthouse 10 hold a term OF the Cir
cult Court when he was taken ILL., but
continued his journey and was seized
with the fatal attack after reaching his
destination.
Judge Coleman spent some weeks last
year iu the hospital in Richmond suffer
ing from some kidney or bladder ailment.
HIS LIFE WORK.
Judge Samuel II. Coleman was born IN
Cumberland county nfty-five years ago.
lie received his education at Hampton
Sidney College ANA IN the University Of
Virginia. from both Of which he passed
with high houOrs
lie tool, up the practice OF law i'm Cum
berland and became Commonwealth
Attorney. a position he filled with that
same fearless. straight forward demean-
or that marked his entire career
II was during his office as Common
wcalth's Attorney that he was elected
20 the LEGISLATURE where ne served with
distinction.
CHOSEN JUDGE.
When Judge Frank u. Irving died while
holding Office as Judge OF the Third
Judicial District all eyes were turned
TO Colonel Coleman as his sue
cessor and his election TO Oil the un-
expired term OF Judge Irving followed.
lie was reelected when tho term was
completed.
Among the notable cases which Judge
Coleman decided was the Mary A0er-
nathy case.
Mary Abcrnathy was convicted and
sentenced 10 be hung in Lunenburg
county. Capt. George j.. Wise, Capt A.
y. Guigon and Judge Fiournoy represent
ed Mary Abcrnathy and took an appeal.
Judge Coleman decided that the evid-
ence had been insufficient and accord
ingly discharged the prisoner.
judge Coleman was the subject or
harsh criticism for his action but through
It an he maintained dignihcd front and
rested easy i'm the righteous conviction
that moved him to his decision.
Judge Coleman was a cousin or Sena-
tor Daniel and was much like the dis
tlnguished statesman as an effective
speaker. His advocacy Of Democratic
principle was iuvinCible and he seldom
argument when facing an audience.
IL THE ARMY.
Judge Coleman was a splendid soldier
during the war being o. sergeant In the
Cumberland troop, FitZ Lees brigade.
He was once captured and kept pri-
sonor Of war for more than one year
Judge Coleman leaves three children
living. one son and TWO daughters. Ills
grandmothcr was the sister or judge
William Daniel. the grandfather OF Sena-
tor John W. Daniel, and his rather was
Judge T. @. Coleman, a member or lne
old bench Of justices
Tho funeral viii take place to-day
afternoon at Obscurity. the home OF MS
wife and grandfather.
DEATH REGRETTED.
Judge Samuel y. witt said OF Judge
Coleman: THE State loses splendid
judge and the community maenihceeiht
man. I'm the death Of Judge Coleman.
Mr. James r. WoTth Of the Farmville
and powhatan railroad, felt the sad blow
Eoonlv. lie was with Judge Coleman
when the latter as captain OF the famous
Cumberland troop led dozen gallant
charges. lie said. "lie was in all re-
snects "a virginia gentleman. vFiolesouled
and genial. 1t will be hard TO ma MS
can't George D. Wise. one Of Judge
CoIema..'s friends and sincere admir-
eTs et.oye with emotion or the Judge
death. 81 never knew his superior. lie
was conscientious and upright In all his
Judge Ingram and Attorney r. o.
lanes were also among Judge Coleman's
iutimatcs and expressed sincere sorrow al
his death
GENERAL LEES SORROW.
General Leo when told of The death
of his friend and comrade. Judge sam
ucl r. Coleman. said: He was a inc
soldier and a splendid man in every re
sport. and I sincerely lament his death
Mr.. Polk Miller said:
ON the death Of Judge Samuel Cole
man the State loses one of IT'S most IN
corruptible and fearless judges ana the
neonla OF Southslde Virginia stalWart
friend. lie enjoyed the confidence OF his
peoplc. and his decisions were never
questioned or complained or What Sam
Coleman said was law with them. for
they knew he was honest and just. When
ne was a. candidate for The ludec SHIP
some Of the best legal minds in his dis
trict. who were spOkcn OF for tho place
said mot If sam Coleman wants it As
a citizen. a ncighbor and friend no man
could boast Of "a higher standing with
tbe people in the southsidc counties. and
when abandoning the cause of Demo
cracy in the black belt during the dark
DAVIS Of reconstruction. he was looked
upon as power for good. while his SER
vices 10 the party 800 largo. as e member
Of the Sta,e Central Committee, were Of
untold value