The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-09

 saffold was ex-onicio a member of the Supreme Court of Alabama. The Supreme Court was organized. origi- nally the second Monday in May. 1920, at Cahaba, then the capital of the State In the dual capacity of Circuit Judge and Judge of the Higher Court. he served until 1882. Of him. Colonel of Circuit Judge under various re-elec- tions, with distinguished ability and honor" Tn 1892. the Legislature hav- ing provided for a separate court of final resort, Judge Saffold was chosen as one of three judges of Circuit Courts to constitute the Supreme Court. Colo mel Pickett says: Upon this new theatre of judicial labor he lost none of the high and deserved reputation which he had acquired in the court be- low" As an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge Saffold. served until January, 1885. At that time Chief Justice Lipscomb resigned, and Judge Saffcld was appointed to the position of Chief Justice. Col. Pickett says: He occupied this dignified posi- ton until the spring of 1S36 when he resigned 1t and bid final adieu to the bench, having held the ofice Of judge for more than sixteen years. The reports of the Supreme Court Of Ala bama are enduring memorials or ms strength of mind. patient investigation deep research and profound learning. Before the separate organization. the people of the whole State had It Tn their mower to scan his acts as Cir cult Judge. They remember him to have been firm and dignihed, but not austere. Wherever he presided entire order ana decorum prevailed, and he was respect ed and admired by both clients and at- torneys. Such indeed. was his reputa- tion throughout the State and snch was the confidence reposed in him, that his retirement from the bench was source of public regret"
 During part of the time between 1sS0 and 1s41, Judge Saffold resided m Mobile. In December 1887 he was .ap- pointed by Governor Arthur P. baey as one of the Commissioners to in- quire into the expediency Of estanilsn- ing a public warehouse or warehouses in the city of Mobile, etc. William H. Robertson, and William Jones, Jr., each of Mobile. being the other commissioners. This and other positions, including membership Tn the Board of Directors of bank, inolcate Judge saffold's intense earnestness as an individual and the durability or public confidence in his integrity ana Judgment.
 Adverse events, financially induced Judre Saffold to decide that the well fare of his family would be promoted by a return to "Belvoir. He resumed his residence in Dallas County and In 1s41 engaged in the practice Of law. having an ofhce at his home. Within a brief while he had a large and profit able clientage, men coming over long distances to obtain his advice or to secure his services. In addition to practicing, Judge Saffold gave much attention to his plantation.
 
 ests engaged Judge Saffold's attention until February, 1S47. As testimony to his skill as an attorney in his later years, an extract from an obituary of him Is introduced:
 Perhaps no lawyer ever returned to the bar. after temporary absence to enjoy so much success and such un- bounded confidence. In so short time. Departed this life in the forenoon of the 1t5h of February, 1S47. at his residence in Dallas County. in the midst of an afflicted family and company of mourning and distressed friends. Hon. Reuben Saffold. formerly Chief Jus | flee of the Supreme Court of Alabama aged 5s years 5 months and Il days" The bar of Cahaba adopted resolu- | tions relative to the death of Judge Saffold When information of the ca | lamity was received in Haynevilie, term of the Chancery Court was in
  having been made in court, Chancellor Crenshaw, responding to a motion. or dered that court be adjourned for the day. The members of the bar met and adopted resolutions. one of which con- tained request that the resolutions be included in the minutes of the court At a meeting, In the next December, of attorneys attending the Supreme Court, resolutions were adopted and George W. Gayle, Esq, in compliance with the wish of the meeting presented them to the court. The first and the second of these resolutions are as fol- | lows: That in his death a great pillar has been torn from the temple of the law | and we. who seek to follow in his | footsteps. bereft of venerable and | venerated patron"
 That in life the State received the service of his wisdom. and now mourns l over his death that she may not be | ungrateful." 4 Pickett in his History of Alabama | says:
 His political opinions. although he never sought political preferment, and engaged but little in the exciting con tests of the times were well known. l He was a Democrat. He was warmly | devoted to the interests of the South.
 
 | he rejoced in her annexation to the | United States. He was a large man. l with an excellent face, and an exceed | ingly fine forehead. No man of dis | tinction ever died In Alabama leaving | behind more reputation for legal abil- ity. for honor. justice and probity.'
 
 Of the twelve children of Reuben | and Mary Saffold. son and a daughter | died in childhood. Each of the others | lived to majority and was well edu- cated. Of the sons. Joseph Philips. | William Bird. Addison Jackson, Ben jamin Franklin and Milton Jefferson ! were attorneys-at-law. and four of | these occupied judicial positions. The | remaining son. Reuben Washington. | was a physician. a graduate of a medi- | cal college in Louisville, Ky. He par | ticipated in the defense of Selma. April
 2. 1865. Joseph Phillips was a Bachelor | of Arts of Franklin College, now the | University of Georgia. William Bird | died In 1s41 at Hayneville at the age | of 27 years. Benjamin Franklin Saf- ! fold was Bachelor of Arts and q