Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-10-25
COURTS OF KENT COUNTY.

Dover, Oct 23.-Ihe October term OF
the Kent county courts began yesterday,
with Chief Justice Lore and Associate
Judges Pennewill and Grubb on the
bench.
Walter Collins, colored, pleaded guilty
to the charge of resisting an officer,
ard was sentenced to SIX months i'm
prisonment and to pay fine of 800.
The grand Jury found true bill
| against Lizzie Stevens, colored, charged
with assault with intent 10 kill; also.
against Robert Bailey, colored, charged
with larceny.
The case against John d. Hawkins,
charged with embezzleinent, was set
| for tomorrow and the cases against DIR.
I. q. Moore aud Frank Reiman, charged
with violating the registration laws,
| we're set for next Monday.
In the Superior Court, nine cases
were marked for trial, "a continued,
| four passed, two referred and two an.
| nounced as having been settled. The
case Of Emily Ranninger, d. b. a., vs.
John P. Staats, ST., fer the use of John
p. Staats, Jr., p. b. r., Harry Emmons
for the appellant and Frank Brockson
| for the respondent, was dismissed, on
| the ground that the certified copy sent
up by the justice of the peace was de-
| fentive.
Secretary of Slate Hughes presented
| the resolutions on the death of Edward
Ridgely adopted by the Kent County
Bar Association, and it was ordered
| that they be spread upon the courts
minutes Judge Pennewill responded,
saying:
| The bar of Kent county has experienced
| many sad bereavemeEts in recent years. but
none, l think. more grIevous and harder to
bear than the one caused by the death of
| Edward Ridgely.
He was conceded by all to be the leader of
| his profession. He was in truth, its chief
and most conspicuous member, by reason
of his legal learning, large experience and
natural ability. He will be greatly missed,
| not only because of these exceptional ac-
| quirements, but as well for his entire will
| ingness at all times to give to others the
benefit of his superior knowledge. The
confidence reposed in his legal opipions by
his brother members of the bar was most
| remarkable indeed. The young and the old,
| whenever in doubt or much perplexed, were
almost as prone to seek Ills counsel and ad-
vice as the child is inclined to look to a
| parent for comfort and aid and his kind
heart was always responsive to the call. He
| just as freely gave as he was freely asked.
To many of us who were younger than
| himself, he was a dear and valued friend,
and neither the lapse of time nor the
| burdens of life will be able to make us for
| get his kindly spirit and helpful words He
\ was an easy man for the young to approach,
| for his nature was such as to attract rather
| than repel. No one could be more natural
| and unassuming than he. The picture he
presented when sitting In his office, in the
old accustomed place, talking of law for
| the love he bore it and the pleasure it gave
or in helping Others over difficult ways, is
| the one and most attractive to me. and one
| that / shall fondly remember and love to
| recall.
Edward Ridgley was admitted to the bar
| in 1863, and, therefore, at the time OF his
| present and the past. Forty years ago, he
was an active practitioner, often having for
| opponents or colleague such distinguished
| attorneys as Comegys. Smithers and others,
and only little while ago maintaining
similar relations with some of the youngest
| members Of the present bar. He was always
| intensely interesting when reminiscent, and
| mis- wonderful memory was storehouse
| from which he could at any time draw much
that would instruct, as well as entertain. In
| some respects, he was very fortunate when
he began his legal career, and possessed ad-
| vantages not given to the average man. He
| was endowed with splendid mind, mar
| velous memory and an intense love for his
| profession, a combination which is sure to
| win success; and he wits. in fact, successful
| in every sense of the word. Notwithstand-
| ing, however, the advantages he enjoyed,
| when we consider the great disadvantage
under which he labored by reason of his
| physical intirmity. and which would have
| absolutely discouraged any but the strong,
we must acknowledge that the enviable
| position to which he attained is equal to
any achievement in the history of the Della
| ware bar. On account of such infirmity,
he was for many years dependent, as few
men in his profession are, upon the services
aud assistance of others; nevertheless, by
the exercise of unusual ability, perseverance
and common sense, he acquired very con-
siderable estate, and left record and a
name absolutely free from blemish or fault.
He was concerned in almost every impor-
tant case that has been tried in this county
in 40 years; and during that time, was very
much more accustomed to victory than de-
feat. He was faithful and true to every in
terest of his clients; and whenever unsuc-
cessful in cause. his disappointment was
as great as theirs. The only criticism | ever
heard of the man was that of being over
particular. Such he might have been; but
ii it be fault, it is one that is not very
common, and not likely to injure anyone.
Our deceased friend was unquestionably a
great lawyer, and in the line of pleading
without a superior in the State. In that
difficult and intricate branch of the law, he
was not only well grounded in his early pro-
fessional life, but in such direction his mind
naturally inclined; and in its pursuit, he
was eager and untiring to the end. He was
what might be termed born pleader, and
the ease and accuracy with which he pre-
pared the most difficult papers seemed more
intuitive than acquired.
He was not only an able lawyer, but also
safe and useful clitzen, and worthy
example to all in the home life, of which he
was so passionately fond. In the schools,
church and other public and useful institu-
tions of his town, he manifested deep in,
terest, and with them was, las rule, officially
connected. He was their firm friend, and
often gave his time ard efforts to promote
their progress and success
Above all. EDWARD Ridgely was an up
right, conscientious and honest man. He
never sacrificed principle to expediency. or
subordinated his convictions to the attain-
ment of unjust ends. Against all that he
believed harmful TO State or society he fear
lessly rebeled, and his independence was
as admirable as it was real. His death is
not only grievous loss to his family and
the bar, but to the State as well, for in his
decease there has passed away one OF the
ablest and best that Delaware contains.
Chief Justice Lore remarked that
neither he nor Judge Grubb had any
thing to add to Judge Pennewil's re-
marks.
Out of respect to the deceased, the
courts adjourned.
One Hundred and Eighty Dollars Minute.
Money was subscribed at st. Paul's
M. E. Church Sunday at the rate
of $3.50 minute. In eight minutes.
at the morning service, at the request
of the pastor, the Rev. W. L. 8. Murray,
ID. D., the congregation subscribed
trifle over $1,000 for improvements and
the light and fuel fund.
GnId I,x,