The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-31
TWO COURTS
SIT NO MORE
Ancient Henrico County Court
Finally Adjourns, and 50 Does
Old Circuit Court.
TRIBUTE TO JUDGE WIckHAM
County Officers Unite in Ex
pressing Their High Regard.
Judge Wexford Retircs.

After an uninterrupted existence OF
moro than two and a half centuries, the
Henrico County Court IS no more.
Th, last day closed with the nightfall
OF yesterday. During the morning tho old
court assembled and prepared for the
adjournment that would mean death and
oblivion. Some few small matters were
looked after. The judge signed his last
order and heard the last motion made
4 In the court-by a negro man In some
minor cause. Then the books were closed
and the ancient and honorable record
was brought to nm end. When, few
moments later the judge vacated the
bench, he did so to return no more; the
County Court was a thing OF the past.
Resolutions Adopted.
Tho closing scenes were interesting
and striking. Exercises brief and sim
sple but impressive, were held. Mr..
Alexander H. Sands, former Common
wealth's attorney, delivered an address 1s11'a'''
Il, which, with many a kindly and COM
plimentary word. he bade the fanewell
OF tho county to Judge r. Ashby Wick
+ ham, the able Judge who .or the past
ten years has presided over the court.
Judge Wiclkhnm made Il suitable re-
sponse. He rctires from the bench and
becomes again n private citizen. lie
spoke fcelinely Iof the relations that
invc existed between him and tho people
or the county, and thanked them for their
courtesy and cordiality extended to him.
Tribute of Officials.
In tho course of his address, Mr. Sands
presented the following paper to the
court: s8 .t
"At a meeting OF the officials of Hen
rico county. held at the courthouse on
January 27. 1901, the following preamble
ard resolutions were unanimously adopt
cd, and Alexander II. Sands, ESQ.,. was
requested to present them to tho court:
.In q few days tho present, term, ot the
County Court OF Henrico will close, and
on tho 31st day OF this month tho County
Court system, venerable with age and
coexistens with the life Of the colony
and commonwealth, will expire by law;
nnd with the system expires the terms OF
service of tie judges who preside over It.
"The Hon. II. tAshby Wickham has pre-.
sided over the court OF this, county for n
| period of ten years. 1t Is, therefore, propel
that Vie, the officers of the court and
officials Of the county, whosh been ~
daily contact with him and have OBJ
served his official conduct should mani
fest our appreciation of him, both as q
citizen and Judge; therefore. be 1t
''Resolyed. First, That the State has
had In the Honorable II. Ashby Wickhanl
a fearless and upright Judge, who has
upheld the dignity of tho court and dis
charged the duties of his important sta
ton with ability; thar his decisions have
t,een marked by an impartiality and I'M
personality rarely equalled and never
surpassed by any Judge,
"The law has devolyed upon the Co'ln'
lty Court many laborlous duties, minis
| terial in their character, and to the dis
charge OF these minor, but still impor'
tant, duties Judge Wickham has brought
the same patience and fidelity that have
emphasized the discharge Of the judlcia
functions Of his office. That he has
Justly easncd and is entitled to the com
] mendatioA Of those who respect the lar