Evening star., 1901-10-08
Mr.. w. D. DAWDGE'S DEATH
ANNOUNCEMENT MADE TODAY IN
THE LOCAL COURTS.
Remarks by Members of the Bar and
Responses by the Presid-
ing Justices.

The various courts Of the District were
adjourned simultaneously this morning at
the city hall, out of respect to the memory
of Walter D. Davidge, who died yesterday
Motions were made in feeling language be-
fore the various courts by members of the
bar, and were replied to by the justices in
like spirit
Before the Court of Appeals the motion
was made by Mr.. Nathaniel Wilson, who
said:
Il have to announce to the court the
death of Mr.. Walter D. Davidge, which
occurred yesterday. AS a member Of the
bar of this District for more than fifty
years Mr.. Davidge was, 1 may say, In al
most daily attendance upon the courts,
actively and zea1ously engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession. Your honors we'll
know what brilliant and powerful faculties
of mind, what comprehensive learning and
what powers of argument and persuasion
and with what fidelity and untiring in
dustry he unsparingly devoted long life
to the services of his clients, to the con-
tests of the courts and to the administra-
tion of justice. Tributes to his eminent
abilities and honorable career will be spoken
of hereafter At the present moment, out
of respect for his character and his life,
the profound sorrow which we all feel for
his loss suggests the motion that 1 now
make, that the court should end it's session
for the day and now adjourn"
Response by Chief Justice.
The chief justice responded as follows:
Gentlemen of the Bar: This is very
melancholy announcement, and it is a
great sorrow to every one of us who had
known Mr.. Davidge, as well as we had
known him in his relations as member
of the bar and of the courts Of this District
and of the Supreme Court of the United
f0fa &C. A,,y;%, -
last days of his existence, and it was only
recently before last adjournment that
he was engaged in the argument of a case
of great Importance before us, in which his
eminent abilities were manifest. In view
of the fact that he was the Oldest member
of the bar, and of his long practice in the
courts and of his association with us all,
this court will depart from the precedent
nouncement of the death, and will now
adjourn over until tomorrow morning out
of respect and honor to the memory of Mr..
Davidge. The funeral, are informed,
will take place at 2 O. clock tomorrow, when
one of the members of this court will at
tend and act as pallbearer. The court now
stands adjourned until tomorrow, when. at
/ o'clock, it will again adjourn TO attend
the funeral. The court is now adjourned"
In the Other Courts.
Chief Justice Bingham of the Supreme
Court, sitting in Circuit Court No. g. ad-
Justice Bradley adjourned on motion Of
Andrew B. Duvall and Justice Barnard
took similar action on motion of Hugh L.
Taggart.
Circuit Court No. 1, Justice Clabaugh
presiding, and Criminal Court No. 1, JUS
tice Anderson presiding adjourned yester-
day soon as the death of Mr.. Davidge
was announced and were in session today
Former Justice Charles c. Cole made the
motion for adjournment before Justice
Hagner in Equity Court No. 1. While the
occasion was not one for eulogy, Mr. Cole
said, he could not refrain from paving trib-
ute to the distinguished dead 'Mr. Da-
v1dge had all the qualities of a great law
yer" continued Mr.. Cole. HE was pro-
foundly learned and possessed ability and
dignity with gentlemanly manner and
kindliness Of heart that at once won and
retained the love and esteem of all with
whom he came in contact. His death leaves
a great vacuum In the community. In re-
spect to his memory, move, that this
court, in common with the others which
sit in this building, do now adjourn and
transact no further business this day."
Justice Hagner's Remarks
Justice Hagner replied: ut is eminently
proper that this motion should be made
before this court and in this room Mr..
Davidge was older than this court The
portraits of some of the earlier practition-
ers which adorn these walls are the like
nesses of gentlemen who were his earlier
associates. If it were possible they as
we'll as we would voice his many good
qualities and the general regret at his end
He was here in almost every important
case, and in all classes Of cases he exhibit
ed wonderful ability. 1t was generally rec
ognized that he had no equal in real estate
matters. He had wonderful command of
language and a most melodious voice. His
death Is a very great loss both to the pro-
fession and to the court. and also to the
community. He left us in the harness. To
the last his wonderful mental powers were
In full vigor. While this, perhaps, is not
the proper place for euogy these sponta-
neous thoughts come to me in my ap-
probation and admiration of Mr. Davidge
as a great lawyer. Today and tomorrow,
as that is the day of his funeral, this court
will take rest from business The court
now stands adjourned
Mr.. Davidges funeral will take place
from his late residence. 1924 H street
northwest. tomorrow afternoon at o'clock
THE FREDERICK FAIR.