The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-17

the death that had saddened all hearts and to the career that had been cut short From his words his hearers caught. in the cad light of the pathetic tragedy new siguiHcance of the un-
 Solicitor Bricken announced to the crowded court room that all witnesses and all jurors were discharged for the term. He gave notice, however. that special term of court would be called for November,
 A saddened crowd assembled at the depot at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. A black casket contained all that was mortal of him who only few short hours before had left train at the same depot full of life and of hope. And thus went. inanimate and sleep ing in a cover of black and silver, he who at eventide of yesterday had most of spirits and of life.
 Willing hands lifted the casket aboard the train. Gentle hands had been there before and his friends of Luverne had covered his casket with the flowers of remembrance. And so he left Luverne-he who had come so differently. So in this way he left Lu- verne, never to come again. But he will be remembered here.
 III tHc uSdlH Oi Juu6O AtiShaAOSOAAs the fulfillment of a brilliant promise was forbidden. At thirty one. he stood upon heights, with achievements behind him for which men had toiled ana the States history of his age had won so much in So short a time. To few men did the future lay so bril- liant with promise. And few men had so much in life to live for as did he.
 He had served as a circuit judge or Alabama When he sat upon the bench he was the youngest Judge in Alabama and one of the youngest, If not the youngest in the history of the State And when he sat as Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, his father Judge J. c. Richardson sat as Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit, the honor he still holds.
 But more than that Judge Richard son. as young as he was, occupied rank as one of the finest criminal lawyers of the State. In his profession any honor to which he might aspire in the State seemed within his reach. In nearly all the big murder cases in Middle Alabama he was on one side or the other. He was associated in the practice of the law with some of the most distinguished attorneys of this part of Alabama and his practice was most lucrative.
 His genius for making and keeping friends was his most predominant characteristic. He felt naturally the mankind of brotherhood. To him for friendship all places were temple and all seasons summer. To those who in no part shared his remarkable talents and who had not had his own fine op- portunities he showed less than any man, the pride of Pharisee. who re- joiced that he was not like other men.
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 All men he liked---all men high and low. From all he could receive and to all he could give. He delighted In the companionship of his kind. His tal- ent for friendship was nothing short of genius.
 His mental gifts were rare and strong. He was natural orator and a leader by rights of genius. Coupled to his talent was restless energy and the two in combination gave ambition, every assurance for the future.
 His middle name, Mccall, was worn in honor of his mothers maiden name. She was the daughter of a prominent Alabama family. Judge Richardson was born at Greenville December 23. 1878. By right of inheritance he had every inducement to mental activity, for his grandfather was one of the most prominent ministers in the State and his father was judge of a circuit.
 He was an alumnus of the University of Alabama where he won the regard of his fellow students as he afterwards won the regard of his fellow men in the outer world. He won, too, sever al college honors. At the close of his col lege life he read law in his father s office at Greenville. On his admission to the bar he began the practice of the law at Troy and won immediate recognition. He explained the local military company and twice served as city attorney.
 In a few years he moved to Mont gomery where he repeated his success at the bar. In 1902 he married Miss Maggie Cromellin Two children were the fruits of the marriage, now left orphans by a fathsr'S untimely death
 On the death of Judge John G. Win ter of the Fifteenth Circuit. Judge Richardson was nam2d by Governor Jelks as his successor and served out the term.
 Judge Richardson was a partner of Judge W. W. Pearson when the latter was named as Judge of the new Eff teenth Circuit At the time of his | death he was in partnership with John V. Smith. He also had partnerships at Greenville. Wetumpa and Haynevillo. His services were in especial demand in all the towns of Middle Alabama.