The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-07
One of the AbIest Lawyers in Vir-
ginia.
PROSECUTED t, ]. CLUVERIUS
He Was for Sixteen Years Common
wealth's Attorney OF His County,
Dnt Never Aspircd to ANY Other
Oftice-Hon. Hcnry X. Pol
lard Pays a HiS1. Tribute
to the Dead Lawyer.

Colonel William H. Aylett OF hlng VII
liam, died at his home near Ayletts. in
that county at o'clock last night.
He had been in failing health for some
time, but about a week ago he suffered
stroke of paralysis, which was the imme
diate cause of his death.
Colonel Aylett was siXty-seven years Of
age, and was one of the most distinguished
lawyers in the State. The funeral will
take place at Ayletts tomorrow at II
o clock.
At his bedside in the last dark hour were
gathered all his children save one. Those
present We're Mr.. Phillip Aylett, Of New
York; DR.. W. r. Aylett, of Newport News:
Mr.. Patrick Henry Aylett, of King VIII
liam; Miss Bessie Aylett and Mrs NJ. D.
Hoge. Of this city. Mrs. Woodbine, Of
Missouri, another daughter. is on the way
to Virginia, and viii probably reach King
William to-day. Colonel Ayett also leaves
a sister, Mrs. Ware, of New York
The announcement of his death will cast
gloom over all East Virginia, as he was
one Of the most widely known and popu
lar men in this section.
OF DISTINGUISHED BIRTH.
The name of William Roane Aylett viii
shine conspicuously among the galaxy Of
Eirginas distinguished sons. With the
blood of the Henrys, the Roanes and the
Ayletts coursing in his veins, his distn
guished career might have been anticl-
pated-especialy as he was subject to the
careful and exacting training OF a mother
whose reputation for piety and intelligence
survives her as a wel-establshed tradi-
ton after decades elapsed since her de-
cease. His father was a man OF liberal
education, abundant patrimony and large
influence. The sudden taking of of his
older brother Patrick Henry Aylett-the
courtly gentleman, the eloquent orator
and incisive writer-one of the victims of
the Capitol disaster. shocked and dis
tressed beyond descriptions this communi-
ty. which was justly proud Of him as its
citizen.
Colonel Aylett commenced to practice law
in the f1fties. and by means of single case
as Stepping-stOne-an experience rare in
professional l:fe-he reached the front rank
OF his profession. IN this notable case ne
was employed as counsel for the wife OF
one Of the weathiest and most intelligent
physicians Of his county to institute a suit
for divorce against the husband. The bill
filed by him set forth the grievances of his
fair client with pathos rarely equalled in
legal literature. It, for the first time made
0uDlC charges tNdt eISctfI1eu one OF Int
most moral and intelligent communities
of the State, and stung the husband to the
quick. AS might have been anticipated,
the husband called as counsellors and de-
tenders the ablest and most distinguished
members Of the bar. not only Of his county,
but also of the city of Richmond. 1t was
a battle royal. but Colonel Ayiett never al
lowed himself for a moment to be put on
the defensive. All through the long and
trI-;-c. icot viri10T 9fip and
aggressive, and at once convinced the COM
munity that he was a thoroughly equipped
lawyer. equal to any emergency and able
to cross swords with any antagonist.
A BRAVE SOLDIER.
The beginning Of the war found him one
Of three leading lawyers of his native
county, King William. With Dabney and
Douglas he ranked as equals. His career
as soldier was as brave as that of any
who followed the flag of the South during
those four years Of carnage. He bore him
self nobly, and at the end OF the war held
coloneI's commission.
Tho war over, he resumed the practice
of his profession with energy unsurpassed.
From county TO county and court to court,
he made his unceasing round Of profess
sonal trips. The doors of every home in the
five counties in which he practced stood
wide open to receive him as an honored
guest; HIS industrious research in his
large ana wel-seiected library enabled
him 10 convince courts Of the soundness OF
his contentious, and his eloquent and pa
thetsc appeals to juries often Won verdicts
which surprised and sometimes amazed
his antagonists. AS Commonwealth's Al
tornev OF King William for sixteen years,
he stood terror tc evil-doers. The cu-
prt brought before the court Of which he
was the prosecuting officer left hope be-
hind.
His reputation for great power as an ad~
Vocate was not confined to the circle IN
which he ordinarily pracrced. lie was
frequently called to aid prosecutions or TO
defend criminals in distant sections of the
State. And he did what it is hard for
LAWYER 10 do-to maintain pre-eminence in
new fields and among strangers. Among
the notable criminal cases With winch he
was connected was the celebrated CiuVe-
RUS trial, in which he tigured as one OF the
prosecuting attorneys, and FUZZY met the
high expectations Of the community II the
eloouent manner in which he presented the
Con,nonweaith's case to the jury. An eX-
tract from his peroradon in this notable
case is worthy of reproduction. In closing,
he said, in part:
a FAMOUS SPEECH.
This case has become historic I saw
few davs ago e picture that has perpet-
,,a taa vo,,r faces. Your memories and
your deeds wll be perpetuated by g becom-
ing record made up by him Ghe steno-
srapher) whose saciie pen records every
word as it drops from my lips. The grest
reading ana listening and watching word
has seen and heard the facts on Wnic,1
you are called upon to find Your VerHc5,
and they are as intelligent as you, ana
phey will try YOU and they will try me,
and they will try ell the actors in this
scene.
yesterday evening. sick and tired and
wearied out by the labors OF the court
room and the heat OF the atmosphere, I
went out to Hollywood. that lovely spot,
that silent city OF the Nolceiess dead.
1,hare ara many there gentlemen. that are