The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-07-15

The Free Lance presents in the
above group the exact likenesses Of the
Commonwealth Attorneys of the six
counties in which The Free Lance cir
culates most largely These counties IN
the order in which The Free Lance cir
culates are Caroline, King George, Spot
sylvania, Orange, Stafford and Oul-
pepper, and to 10 postotiices in these
counties The Free Lance is a regularly
tri.weekly visitor having bonafde sub
scribers at that number of postoifces
in the counties named.
In five out Of six Of these counties at
the last general election for county
officers, in May, there happened what
has not probably occurred since recon-
struction, thirty years ago, viz, five
new men were chosen for the first time
by the people to fill this very important
office. In the sixth, the county OF
Orange, Mr.. John G. Williams was
chosen for the sixth time. Such mark
ed happenings as these, The Free Lance
believes deserves special mention.
John G. Williams, Of Orange, is the
central figure in the above group. Mr.
Williams was born in Orange county on
the 10Th of January, 1913, and so is in
the 9th year Of his age. Mr.. Williams
was a private in the Confederate SER
vice during ne war 1851 's - -sser " z
most o. e ne time as a courier for Gen.
Jubal A. Early. Mr.. Williams read
law in the office of his father, the late
Lewis B. Williams, who was Common
wealth's attorney of Orange from 1888
to his death, in 1880 And so it IS
Lewis B. Williams, father, and John
G. Williams, son, have held the ONCE OF
Commonwealth attorney for Orange
since 1888. save about year, in 1862
when all offices were vacated by the
military in Virginia during the recon-
struction days. a period of 60 years
No instance like it, it is safe TO say
has ever occurred in the State OF Nir'
einia or elsewhere. Mr.. John G. Will
hams was educated at William and
Mary College, leaving there at the
breaking out of the war. Mr.. Williams
came to the bar In 1870, and so has been
a prscticing lawyer for nigh thirty
wears and enjoys the confidence OF his
people and stands in the front rank Of
his profession in the State, besides be
ing leading member and vestrymar
in the Protestant Episcopal Church II
Virginia. Mr.. Williams is married
and has FIVE children, all grown.
| Mr.. W. E. Ennis, Of Caroline, wa
chosen Commonwealth Attorney o
that county at the May election, de
feating Mr.. ]. H. DeJarnette, Republi
can, for that office, having previousl.
won in the Democratic primary owe
Mr.. A. b. Chandler, than whom ther
was never a better States officer In tn
Commonwealth. Mr.. Ennis like Mr.
Williams was born in the month o
January, having first seen the light 0
day in Caroline, January 4, 1865
whilst Mr.. Williams was a courier 10
Early. Mr.. Ennis was graduated a
the University of Virginia, with Tn
degree of Bachelor Of Laws in june
, 1883. or six months before he We
81 years old. Mr.. Ennis came
the bar in Caroline, his nati'
! county in 1885, removed to Norfoii
Va, in 1890, where he married and n
sided there until 1894, when he r.
turned to Bowling Green and forme
/ law partnership with the late j. N
o Hudgin, U. S. Marshal under Olevt
4 lands last administration. 1t
limited by some Of Mr.. Ennis FRIEND
that he has his eye on seat in Coz
a gress and will bear watching by all a
o pirants to succeed the present inoun
It bent.
II Mr.. Lee ]. Graves was appointed
~ June court, 1899, to succeed the late
n Rawlings, one Of the most popul