The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-08
JUDGE B. T. GUNTER DEAD
An ABLE ADVOCATE, IyvTNCTBLE
DEBATER, DIS ting UISHEDJURIsT
He Was Colonel of Acconac Troops aud
Defended the Peninsula Against FEEDER
alTroops- Funeral His Successor

Judge benjamin. 7 Gunter. whose III
ness was noted from time TO time I'm this
paper. died Sunday at the Maryland Uni
versity Hospital, in Baltimore. He had
been III for some time at his home. VII
low Bank. In Accomac county. with kid
ney disease but was so much improved
that when he went 10 Baltimore his re-
covery was confidently looked for, and
his death was a surprise to many who
enterlained this hope
He was born in Accomac county. Va.
February H. 1881, his parents belonging
10 sterling Eastern Shore families. He
was educated at Richmond College and
the University of Virginia, studying law
at the latter institution. Soon after COM
Ing TO the bar he was elected Common
woalth's Attorney for Accomac county.
While acting I'm this capacity 1t fell TO
his lot 10 prosecute fully Liiliston and
his paramour, Betsy Simpson, for killing
Thomas Budd near AccOmac Courthouse
Several Of The ablost lawyers Of the East
ern Shore were engaged 20 defend Liliis-
was Henry A. Wise. who employed all
his skill and legal learning In defending
his clients. Young Gunter conducted the
prosecution alone and succeeded in send
ing both the accused TO the penitentlary
for long term of years. His victory over
Wise. who up to that time had been CON
sldered almost invincible In criminal
cases, gained the young attorney much
local celebrity and made his future Sc
cure.
A sTAUNCH CONFEDERATE.
When the war came on Judge Gunter
was elected colonel OF the Accomac
troops. and he took n prominent part In
defending the Eastern ShCro peninsula
against invading Federal forces. lie was
subsequently captured and imprisoned In
Fort McHonry with the late 5. Teackle
Wallis. Of Maryland, and other Southern
sympathizers
After the war he formed a law partner
ship with his lifelong friend, the late
John W Gillet who had FOR many years
been clerk OF Accomac County Court. and
who after his retirement from active
practice was made Judge Of the County
Court Of AccOmac. Judge Gunter had al
ways been a Democrat. and, until his
elevation 10 the bench. took an active
part in all political. contests.
In the days following the recon
structOn era ne had met and oyer;hrev
nearly every Republican orator who
came 10 the Eastern Shore, and in the
DAYS OF roadjuster domination such men
as Malone Lamb and Parson Massey
felt the touch OF his keen lances. lle
served rs chairman OF the Democratic
county committee Of Accomac and also
as a member OF the State central COM
mittee m 1876 be was n delegate from
virginia to the national Democratic con-
vention that nominated Tilden and Hend-
ricks. and four years later he was a can.
dldata for the Democratic nomination
FOR CONGRESS from the First Virginia Dis
trlct When Judge Gunter's friends IN tho
convention saw that n dark horse would
probably win the race they brought for
ward George r.. Garrison. Of Accomac
then JUDGE ~ the Circuit Court for the
Eastern Shore Of Virginia.
APPOINTED TO THE BENCH.
Judge Garrison was nominated and
elected, and when he retired from the
bench Governor Holiday appointed judge
Gunter 10 I'M the vacancy. When the
General Assembly met In 1851 the read
iusfers, who were IN a majority. elected
William T. Fitchett OF northampton,
but when the judicial term expired in
1854 the Democrats. who had returned
10 power in the state. elected Judge Gun
ter and enlarged the circuit by including
I'm IL n number OF counties on the West
ern Shore judge Gunter was reelected
practically without opposition four years
ago.
Judge Cuntor's first wife was Miss
Ellen Fisher. daughter Of John Fisher
NJ Northampton. and niece OF Myers
Fisher. n noted lawyer Seven children
were born. five sons end two DAUGHTERS
I'm 1879 Mrs. Gunter died Of consumption
/ and four years later Alfred h. Gunter
! the oldest son. who had but recently beer
/ graduated from the University Of Vir
cinia and begun a law practice. was car
/ ricd off iy the same disease. In the
course ~ the next few years three other
/ sons al Just grown to manhood and al
+ l.-hlv educated were cut or on th'
threshold II lite Three children still
| sur,ive-Mrs John w. Edmonds. Of Ac'
corrac Courthouse. Miss Bessie Guntel
! a~d periamin r. Grnter. Jr.. the present
/ commonwealth Attorney Of Accomac
{ and recently APPOINTED commissioner on
/ the rart Of virginia for ascerfainirg am
4 rrarFing the Marvland and Virgins
! boundary line In Taneier and Pocomok'
/ sounds. Judge Gurter married Mrs
slater FOR his second wife.
/ For uany wears Judge Gunter had heeI
/ n prominent member OF the Baptis
/ rhurch. serving for a number Of terms
! as moderator Of the Accomac Baptist As
sociation. ard frequently representing Dr.
church I'm the General Association. III
/ was also a m0mhor Of the board Of trus
I tees Of Richmond College and Of Oceal
Lodge Of Freemasons
THE FUNERAL
The remains OF Judge Gunter were take
from Baltimore Yesterday 10 his home. n
/ Willow Bank, where the funeral will tax
place to-day.
The death Of Judge Guntor was an
nounced 10 the Legislature yesterday. an
I'm the senate Dr. LeCatO paid the dea
iurlst a high tribute, and spoke or hi
demise as an irreparable loss 70 IN
State.
AS soon as Governor Tyler receive
official information Of the death OF jude
Gunter he will communicate IT 10 IN
General Assembly and the vacancy o
the bench viii he filed
| Tx-COncressman -. Gardiner Tyler vi
be a candidate and County judge ]. W
/ r Blackstone. OF Accomac. IS also name
as n candidate. and Senator Manly l
parnes Is sald by his friends 10 be
strong candidate for the honor. Jude
/ Gilmore VI. Kendall. Of Northampton.
IS thought, will also aspire 10 the homo
~ THE COURTS.