The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-28
JUDGE RANDOLPH DEAD
Continued from Page one.)

The killing of Judge Randolph was the sole topic of conversation on the streets and in homes: theories, rumors reports and incidents connected with the tragedy numberel almost as many as Montgomery numbers citizens.
 The chief topic of conversation and speculation was for what purpose did Judge Randolph make the demand or John Randolph for $500. Some de- clared that John Randolph was fin debt to his older cousin. Others declared that Judge Randolph simply made the demand because he thought he could get the money, while others were equally positive that a mortgage or his lands in Elmore County had ma tured.
 Motive for Threats.
 The note which Is said to have been written to John Randolph threatening his life, if he did not deposit the mon ey, was also under discussion. Some aver that they have positive knowl- edge that two notes were written by Judge Randolph to John Randolph. One of these notes it is said stated that if the $500 was not deposited one of the two would have to leave Mont Romery. The second, 1t Is said, car ried the threat to kill John Ran dolph alone can produce these notes,
 
 litely declined to discuss the case with anyone but his counsel.
 A close friend of Judge Randolph said last night that Friday night, he assisted Judge Randolph to retire to bed. The former Judge at that timo confided in him the belief that he would die yesterday and asked nim to see that his body was taken to his Fillmore County farm, that a funeral E. H,,EI oII lat f was mortal of him be incinerated.
 From the number of people who are reported to have heard Judge Ran dolph make murderous threats against John Randolph yesterday and the night before. he must have had no other thought in his mind during that entire period.
 The career of the men who yester- day breathed his last is one that sell dom appears anywhere but in roman tic novels and lurid dramas. He was born in Tuscaloosa, sixty-three years ago. His father wns Benjamin Frank lin Randolph and his mother a Miss Corbin, a sister of the wealthy Com modore Corbin, whose fortune Judge Randolph inherited.
 Of Distinguished Lineage.
 Judge Randolph was descended from the famous Virginia family of RandolpnS and in the CId Dominion he received his collegiate education. He studied law and was admitted to the Alabama bar but responded to the call to arms in 1861, and joined the 7th Alabama Cavalry of Gen. For rests command as a captain.
 Many of his old comrades of the 7th Cavalry are still alive in Montgomery and they unanimously testify that no more gallant nor dashing officer, ever donned the Confederate grey. He was a man to lead a forlOrn hope and one who courted danger He was pro- noted to the rank of major for con spicuous gallantry and when the war closed he returned to Alabama and to Montgomery with a war record that made him looked upon as one of the few men, brilliant enough and cour- ageous enough to handle the difficult political situation of those days of re- construction.
 He immediately took first rank as the political leader of Montgomery County and there was no office he sought that he could not nave had for the asking. The negroes and carpet baggers were then dominating Ala bama and the problems required not only a brilliant mind but brave, de- termined and fearless spirit. These Judge Randolph possessed to a marked degree. These qualities coupled with a polished education. a wide fund of information and unusual geniality