St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-03-26
RUSSELL SMITH TAFT.
VermOnI,s Chief Jndge Dies at HIS
Home in Burlington

ing, of fatty degeneration OF the hlar''
He suffered a somewhat severe illness
las fall, and although he never fully re-
covered he attended to his court duIles
as usual during the winter, but on Marcn
s was forced to take his bed and tailed
gradually until the end.
Judge Taft was born at Wiliston, Jan
uary %, 1885. He was educated at the
schools Of his native town and at New
bury Seminary. He removed to Burning
ton in 1858, and commenced the study
oflaw with George F. Bailey, then with
Ex-senator George F. Edmunds and
later with Judge Wales, being admitted
to the bar in 1856. Soon after he
formed partnership with Judge Wales
which continued for q years. He was
selectman of the town of Burlington from
1861 to 1864, alderman Of the city from
1865 to 1869, states attorney for Chit
tenden county, 1862 to 1865, state sena-
tor from the same county, 1865 to 1866,
CITY attorney Tor Burlington, 1871 to
1872, register of probate tor the district
OF Chittenden, 1868 to 1880. and lleuten-
ant governor of Vermont, 1872 to 1874,
In 1880 he repre- scented the CITY OF Bur.
hnqton in the legislature and was elected
assistant Judge OF the supreme court.
Since that time he has been elected b.
enniaIly and on January p, 1889, be-
came chief Judge, on the appointment OF
Judge Jonathan Ross to the United
States senate.
His record as a Judge is good. He tried
sol cases by jury, of which only 56 ludg'
ments were reversed Of state cases he
tried 166 by jury, in which eight judg'
ments were reversed, the smalIness OF the
proportion being due to the fact that he
always solved doubts in favor OF the
respondent.
Judge Taft was twice married; his first
wife was Miss Maria l.. Carlisle of Bur
lington, who died in 1878. In 1876 he
married Miss Jennie Marietta, OF SYRIA
cuse, N. Y, who with one son, Russell
Wales Tat survives him.
Judge Taft's literary ability was no
means small, although be exercised it but
little. He wrote a sketch OF the Vermont
supreme court which was published in
the Green Bag in 1898 "a; and at a
recent meeting of the Vermont Bar asso,
citation he read paper entitled IA Legal
Medley" which is regarded as an ex'
tremely witty and interesting produc-
ton. In religion ne was first a Univer-
salist, then a Materialist,
county seat in the state, and during the
terms where he presided at the Caledo-
MIA county court he became widely ac-
quainted in this vicinity. He presided at
SIX terms here: D cember, 1887, June,
1898, December, 1896 June, 1897, June,
1900 and a the December term OF the
same year, taking the place Of Judge
Rowell.
At the request of the CALEDoNIAN a
gentleman who was intimately associ-
ated with Judge Taft for many years has
written the following concerning him;
Judge Taft, in m my ways, was an ex-
traordinary man, He inherited from his
mother a memory remarkable for dates
and facts apparently having little or no
connection or association. He has said
his mother could spell correctly the
whole of any table of words in Noah
Webster's spelling book on being given
the first word o. the table. He could re-
tain and recall without apparent effort
dates of the births and deaths of most oil
the prominent men of the state. When
speaking of person and that he was
born on a day named, he would surprise
his hearers by rehearsing many historical
and prominent events which occurred or
the same day of the year. He has said
and no doubt truly, that he could give
the names of the parties in every case il
which he was employed, tried in The
county court, or which was assigned tc
him in the supreme court. His memory
in these particulars was the more re
markable inasmuch as, of the prin
ciples involved and decided, it die
not appear to be much if any better
than that of his associates. 1t il
doubtful if there ever was a man il
the state endowed with a memory 81
peculiar. He was much interested il
genealogical and antiquarian que stionS
de was constant worker, attentive t.
and faithful in all duties assigned t.
him. But they did not occupy all hi
time. His mind was active and run GU
in many directions, He was a good log
ical reasoner, but did not especial,
excel in this respect. His mind wa
quick to discern the ludicrous side of ;
, proposition and he could clothe it in APP
, language. He was a ready wit and pro
voker of wit in others. He could be
and generally was, a very genial ant
: pleasant converSationalist. Before b
| went upon the bench he was reported t.
. be shrewd political worker, and an excel
. lent judge of the trend of events. No on
2 ever questioned the honesty of his pur
7 poses, nor the kindness of his heart. H
will be missed by many, but especially b,
those who knew him most intimately
With him as with his associates in con
sldering cases the professional and poIiti
r cal standing OF the parties was seldom
o If ever mentioned, and if known certanl,
never given moments consideration.
+ Judge StaffOrd's Tribute.
a Following is the eloquent tribute pai
i by Judge w. p Stafford to the late Chic
T. Judge TAFT, in the Chttenden count,
c court room on Monday morning last;
! Hereafter, when the time shall com
5 for someone hJted for the task 10 poin