Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-07

this morning
1t is probable the funeral will be marked
Bar Association will feel his loss most
keenly and will very likely attend the SER
vices body Mr. Davidge's family con-
nections were large and prominent His
friends in Washington included nearly
all the men distinguished in the affairs Of
the District, and most of them will desire
to pay to his memory every possible trib-
ute.
or English Percentage.
Mr.. 'Davidge was born of distinguished
English house. Dr. John Beale Davidge
his grandfather, married "a Miss Stewart Of
Scotland-the last of that family-who
with her sister, took a male name, William
DR.. Davidge was educated in Glasgow and
Edinburgh and was founder of the Medical
College of Maryland, out of which grew the
University Of Maryland. One of DR.. DAY.
idge's sons, Francis Hawthorn Davidge,
was sent to England to complete his col
lege course and studied at Trinity Hall,
Cambridge. On his return he married the
daughter of Justice Walter Dorsey of the
Maryland court Of appeals, and their SON
who took the name of his maternal grand
father-became the eminent lawyer whose
death occurred today.
Sketch of His Career.
Walter D. Davidge was born in Balti-
more about seventy Eight years ago. His
tastes which found expression in the
use of his pen. He was a frequent con-
tributor to the newspapers. His son Wal
ter attended the Baltimore City College,
and about the time he had finished the
course there and was ready to enter upon
the study of the profession Of law his
father changed his residence to this city.
The elder Davidge had an acquaintance
With Clement Cox, the father of Judge
Walter s. Cox, and a leading member of
the District bar, and soon after arriving
in this city, which was about the year
1874, young Davidge began the study of
law in the Office Of Mr.. Cox. Judge Cox
had at that time completed his college
course, but had not as yet entered upon
the study of law. Davidge found other
law students in the office of Mr.. Cox. One
was Mr.. William Redin Woodward, the
senior member of the District bar and a
highly respected citizen OF the district
Another student was Richard Hagner now
of the Supreme Court of the District. Mr.
Davidge was also associated with Thomas
]. Semmes. who died short time ago, and
who was one of the prominent citizens of
New Orleans Mr. Semmes and Mr..
Davidge completed their studies at the
same time and were admitted to the Dis
trict bar on motion made by Mr. Cox
me two young men formed a partnership
ana entered upon the practice OF their pro-
fession in this District. Shortly afterward
Mr.. Semmes married, his wife being a resi-
dent Of Knoxville. Ala, and he was induced
partnership with Mr., Davidge. Suisse
quently Mr.. Semmes removed to New Or
leans, and during the civil war he was at
torney general Of the confederate govern
mant.
Mr.. Davidge's Record.
Mr.. Davidge continued the practice Of law
here, and gained for himself a distin-
guIshed name. He devoted himself to
his profession with a singleness of
purpose that is somewhat unusual
Although for more than a half CEN
fury a lawyer in active practice
he never held a public Office, and stead
tasty refused connections Of any sort out
side of the line Of his calling. He was even
In the habit of declining social invitations,
and to the last days of his life he main
tanned his freedom from all cares that
were not Of a professional character. He
had fine legal mind, and his natural abil-
tiles were sedulously cultivated, so that the
reputation which he early acquired of
clear perception Of the principles of the
presentation Of legal propositions continued
practically undiminished through a half
century Of active practice.
As a Public Speaker.
AS speaker Mr.. Davidges talents were
manifested at an early age. He had at his
home in Washington considerable collec-
ton OF medals and cups obtained as prizes
while a student in college. He was dis
tinguished at the bar as much for his pleas
before juries in cases at law as for his ar
guments before the bench in equity. He
was heard frequently before the Supreme
Court Of the United States and was often
complimented by the members of that
bench on the logic and force Of his argu-
ments. To fine presence. great dignity Of
manner and a pleasant delivery Mr.. Da-
vidge added, as his experience at the bar
was extended. profound knowledge Of
American and English law and a reliable
and extraordinary recollection of the de-
tails Of significant cases. Eis forte was
the calculation OF obscure passages of law
Formation Of Bar Association.
A chance meeting with Mr.. Eugene Carusi
In the latters Office in the late sixties
led to the formation of the Bar Association,
which was not Incorporated. however, until
1874 Mr.. DaYtd9e WAS one of. ifa earliaat