Evening journal., 1905-12-26
BIG FUNERAL.
FORC.E.R RICHARDS
Many Prominent People From
All Over State viii
be Present
HAD AN ACTIVE CAREER

prominence in cYcry walk OF life than
any held in Delaware since che tuncral
Of John M.Claytou.
Charles f. Richards was a recogniz-
cd leader and oNempiar of everything
good in Delaware A score Of timcs
occurred in his RE when he could
have held the highest oficc in the gift
of tho people of Delaware but he was
q man of retiring disposition and cray
cd the esteem of his fcllow-men as
ono of them and not as an ofliceholder
Like the late William Townsend, he
was one OF the men in Delaware who
has refused the Office OF governor.
Leader Of Men.
CHARLES +. Richards was a man Of
a class altogether of itsef In the
practice OF law in this state ne was
not only a leader. but was a maker Of
law and an artistic interpreter of it,
His cases before the Supreme Court
of this state have been so thoroughly
prepared. so ably built for prssenta-
tion and SO eloQuontly delivered that
the Judiciary themselves were kept at
a point of interest that caused a re-
gardess iight Of time
Good Criminal Lawyer.
Ia the practice OF criminal law. and
NJ, Richards never got above the
criminal courts where he saw oppor-
iuniy Of Sc wing followman, ne was
powerful and convincing 10 n jury.
and even 20 tho masses Of the people.
For a defendant. indicted by a grand
jury, TO obtain the services OF Mr..
Richards was almost as good as for
him TO at once secure his acouittal. n
the facts in the case showed the man
TO b. guilty. Mr.. Richards, it Is said,
invariably decoincd TO serve him un.
less the pea was guilty and clean
breast was made OF the whole transac-
tion. with a recommendation for mercy
on his part
In the trial of Elmer Collins OF l.au
rel. for wife murder Mr. Richards,
who was associated with Former At
toncy-General Robert G. White, en-
tered with a determination TO win the
f.eedom Of Collins, whom he profound
ly believed to be innocent Collins told
such a straightforward story concern
ing the crime. and displayed such a
good reputation previous that Mr.
Richards entered his defence with
heart and soul and eagerly placed Col
l.ns on the stand as his FIRST witness
and made him remain for hours al the
mercy OF the states attorneys ln this
case. too he was obliged TO oppose his
own son. who was one of the states
prosecuting officers and is nov the at.
torn general. Robert H. Richards.
MT Richards address TO the jury. IN
which he drew mind spictures OF hca-.
Collins was VIGOROUSLY acquitted.
Powerful Political Leader
In political and legislative matters.
M. Richards was a singularly power
ful leader His open opposition 20
election dehauchcry In Sussex county
and In the state was often a cheerlcss
task. especially as both parties wero
using money lavshly in that county
but he felt that even thought he was
left with a small political company in
Sussex. he would not exchange p aces
with the President, and went back 20
his home each day with an absolutely
clear conscience.
I'm legislative and state matters he
was an espec ally strong leader and
adviser Many laws ON the statutes
hooks today were framed throughout
by this able lawyer. while he was FIRE.
Quenty called upon To como To Doyc-
and consult with legislators. which ne
cheeriully did without any remunera-
ton When the stir arose last winter
over the defective Judgment ilcn law.
wnich promised 10 cause the loss OF
thousands of dolla-s. Il was not until
MT. r cllards came TO Dover at the
head of a delegation of lawyers that
the governor cared TO take the respon.
sibility Of calling an extraordinary Sos
sion
Just as he led la matters Of state.
craft legislation. law and politics Mr..
Richards was shining light in the
Methodist Church. He came TO Dover
two years ago as a delegate to the
Lay Conference Of this peninsula and
occupied prominent places on Metho-
dist Conference boards.
Mr.. Richards became an while on a
shopping trip to Philadelphia on Fri
day week ago. and on Monday last
his condition became SO serious that
he was removed from the Bingham
House TO the hospital. He rallied after
being admitted TO the hospital. but Il
was only temporary and from Tuesday
last he gradually became worse until
death ended his sufferings. Most of his
family was AZ his bedside when the
end came. He Is survived by his wife
and by FIVE children -Attorney-l;eneral
Richards Mrs. Frank A. Jones of
Georgetown, Charles Sudler Richards.
Miss Edith Richards aud Miss Laura
Richards. Mrs Richards Is daugh
Ter Of the late Dr John r. Sudlcr. of
Bridgevilie
Charles r. Richards was born June
rs. 1876, in Northwest-frork hundred.
and WAS a son-of John Richards. lie
received his academic education in
New Jersey registered as a student al
law in Georgetown, was graduated
from the University of Albany, N. ",
was admitted to the practice OF the
law in that city and also at George
town. He opened an office in the latter
place in 1863 During the civil war he
served in the Sixth Delaware Regi-
ment From 1870 to 1876 he served as
chairman Of the Republican Executive
Committee Of Sussex county. and as a
member of the Republican State Exec.
tive Committee, In 1872 he was n
member OF the Republican National
Convention which met in PHILADELPHIA
He was a member of the Delaware
State constitutional Convention ian
1897 and with Judge William c. Sprn-
ance and Judge Edward c.. Bradford
took q most prominent part in It's de