Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1902-04-24
HON. v. I. DORTCH.
ONE OF THE STATES BRIL-
LIANT MEN,

Lawyer, a Statesman and a
Citizen Incidents in His Ca
reer as a Barrister-A Man of
FOrceful Speech and Pointed
Arguments-HisG Gifts Always
Applied to the Cause of JUS
tice and Fairness a Large
Income--Hospita of His
Typographical Sketch
ofOne of the Strongest Men of
the East.
Written for The Charlotte Observer.
In writing this sketch of Mr..
Dortch, it is to me a labor of love.
I knew him well and intimately for
more than 80 years, and loved and
admired him for his sterling homes
ty; for his unwavering integrity; for
his unbounded generosity; for his
amiable disposition; for his gentle
manners; for the spotless purity of
his public life; for his unblemished
reputation; for his loyalty to his
principles and TO his friends, and for
every noble and generous virtue that
can adOrn and embellish human
character. love to dwell upon such
a life and such q character, and /
only regret that [ cannot find words
topcrtray ii in such cclors as itshould
be, So as 10 t1aLsnltt Il to po5terity as
a priceless legacy and glorious ex-
ample for the guidance of the youth
of our country. Such men are a
country's jewels, and their names
should be held in grateful remem-
brance If, in depicting the charac-
ter OF Mr.. Dortch, I shall at any
time indulge in glowing language, |
hope I may rot be accused of what
may be christened "BosWellism" or
a disposition TO idolize any man iv-
ing or dead, Tor / am not ashamed to
admit that / admired the noble quail
tiles that constituted his character,
and in speaking of his virtues l can
say of him what one great man said
of the virtues of another, that ssthey
resemble those celestial fruits and
flowers which the Virgin Martyr OF
Mussinger sent down from the gar
dens Of paradise to the earth and
which were distinguished from the
productions Of other soils, not only
by a superior bloom and sweetness,
but by miraculous efficacy to invig-
crate and to heal, and that they are
powerful not only to delight, but tc
elevate and purify
William Theophilus Dortch was
born in Nash county, on August %
1924, and died November q, 1889
His father was William and his
mother was DruciIIa Dortch. He
was educated at the common schools
and at the Bingham School, Hills
boro. lie never went to college. He
studied law with the Hon. B. F
Moore, Of Raleigh, obtained license
to practice is.ty IL the county courts
at 10 years of age and Superior Cour
license at 20 years Of age. He set
tied at Nashville and was elected
county attorney of Nash county. Ii
1849 he removed to GoldsbOro, anC
was at once elected county attOrne,
for WAYNE. In 1852 he was elected
to the House Of Commons from
Wayne County and continuous.
Except one SESSION. until 1860, a
which session ne was elected,Speake
of the House. / have heard gentle
men who were members of the Hous
say he was a noble presiding officer
fair and impartial in his rulings, dig
nified and courteous, and dlspatche'
business with the greatest ease an
facility. After the State seeded an
Joined the Confederate States, he wa
elected to the Confederate States Ser
ate, which position he held till th
fall of the Confederate gOVernme1
in 1865. In 1859 he was rendered tn
office of Superior Court judge b
Governor Ellis, which he declined
He could not afford to give up hi
practice, which at that time was on
of the largest of any lawyer in th
State, for the small salary attache
to the office of judge. He was electe