The evening times., 1899-03-14
DEATH OF PROFESSOR DABNEY.
Remarkable Career as a Lawyer and
an Educator.

Charlottei vile, Va. March l4.-Prof.
Walter d. Dabney died at his home at the
University OF Virginia at late hour Sun
day night of consumption. Early in the
present session his health was so seriously
impaired that he gave up his classes at
the university and went South in the hope
of receiving benefit from the milder eli
mate. but he grew steadily worse, and ten
days ago he was brought home.
Prof Walter ID. Dabney was a son OF
Major William S. Dabney. OF 'Dunlora,
in this county, whose French extraction
is disclosed by the original spelling-D 'Au-
bigne His mother was Susan Fitzhugh
Gordon. daughter of Samuel Gordon, of
Galloway. Scotland, and was born during
her parents residence in Liverpool. Eng
land Prof. Dabney was brother TO Cor
don Dabney killed at the age of seven
teen during General Lees retreat to APP
pomattoN; also OF William c. Dabney,
distinguished professor in the medical de-
partment OF the University of Virginia,
and an able physician.
Prof Dabney was born in 1853, and en-
tered the University of Virginia in 1871
as a student in the department of civil
! engineering, remaining one year The next
year he taught in Hanover Institute, re-
turning to the university in the fall of
J 1873. In one session he was graduated
with the degree of bachelor of law, and
began the practice of that profession in
Charlottesville. He soon won repu-
tation as an able attorney, cautious and
! thorough in all matters committed to him.
/ In 1855 he was elected TO the House of
, Delegates of Virginia. where he continued
/ for three terms. He was chairman of the
! committee on railroads and internal i'm
provements and the committee on finance.
lie was also a member of the debt com
mission, which settled and removed from
politics the much -veXed question of Vir-
ginia bonded debt.
His experience as chairman of the COM
mittee on railroads and internal improve
ments led TO the preparation of his book
1 on Governmental Regulation of Rail-
roads" published by the Putnams in 1888
, This book regarded by many as the ablest
/ treatise upon this subject. carried Dr.. Dab
. neys reputation beyond the limits OF his
State and brought from Judge Cooley, then
/ chairman of the United States Interstate
. Commerce Commission. an offer of the po-
| sition of legal secretary of that Commits
! sion. Entering upon the duties of that
! office in 1896 he was sent to argue cases
r. before the various district and cir
! cult courts of the United States. In 1899.
/ in Chicago, he won the attention of Judge
/ GreShman, then on the United States bench
( by the able manner in which he conducted
| his case. At the end of his argument Judge
Gresham descended from the bench and
| invited him TO his home. Afterward.
| while Secretary of State under Cleveland
| Judge Gresham sent for Senator Daniel
and enquired if he knew Mr.. Dabney, and,
op receiving a favorable answer, an
nounced his intention of appointing him
solicitor of the State Department Here
he had TO deal with great questions of in
| ternational law-extradition, foreign treat
les, claims against other governments, etc
In this important position Prof. Dabney
met the highest expectation.
Upon the death of Prof John B. Minor,
of the University of Virginia Law School,
Mr.. Dabney was mentioned as his success
sor and when the board of visitors met
was unanimously chosen for this high post.
Prof. Dabney was a man of frail physique
and for two or three years his health had
been very delicate. Some twenty years ago
he married a daughter of the late Archi-
bald Douglas, who died about two years
ago. Seven children survive him.