Evening star., 1909-07-14
"Grand Old Man of Virginia"
Succumbs to Paralysis.
FUNERAL PLANS NOT MADE
Statesman, Lawyer and Soldier
Passes Away in Norfolk.
IN SECESSION CONVENTION
Helped Frame Two Constitutions
for Old Dominion at Meetings
Fifty Years Apart.

NORFOLK, Va. July 14.-John Goode,
aged eighty years. Virginia statesman,
lawyer and soldier, died at ST vincent's s
Hospital. this city, at 9:45 O'Clock this
morning. following stroke of paralysis
which he suffered several weeks ago
while on visit to his children in this
city. With him at the end was his young
est son, James L. Goode. His daughter,
Mrs. W. T. Brooke, who was out of the
city, arrived at noon, and John b. Goode,
an elder son in New York, will be here
later. Arrangements for the funeral and
burial have not yet been completed.
John Goode, affectionately known in
late years as the grand old man of
Virginia. was without doubt at the time
of his death the most conspicuous man in
the state in point of years and honors.
He was the sole survivor of the Virginia
secession convention and the oldest eX-
member of the national Congress. He
also was a member of the Confederate
congress. He had the distinction of be-
ing member of the convention that
framed one constitution for Virginia, and
fifty years later 1901-2) he was presi-
dent of the convention that framed the
present constitution.
Born in Bedford County.
Mr.. Goode was born In Bedford county,
Va. May IA, 1929. He attended the coun-
ty schools, and subsequently was grad
uated from Emory and Henry College.
After studying law under Judge John
Brockenborough of the Lexington Law
School he was admitted to the bar, and
when he reached the age of twenty-one
he was member of the Virginia leS1s-
lature, representing Bedford county. He
served his native county in the secession
convention, and later entered the Confed-
crate army as a member of Gen. Early's
staff. While on the field of battle he
was elected to the Confederate congress.
After the war he moved to Norfolk.
where he practiced law with great sue
cess. He served three terms in Congress
from the Norfolk district. being the first
democratic representative from that dis
trict after the war.
During Clevelanus first administration
Mr.. GoOde was appointed solicitor gen.
eral of the United States and served with
distinction for some time. He failed of
confirmation in the Senate. however, be-
cause, Il is said, of political differences
existing between him and Gen. William
Malone, then a senator from Virginia.
President Cleveland, during his second
term, appointed Mr.. Goode a member of
the United States and Chilean claims COM
mission to settle certain matters in dis
pute between the two countries.
Head of Constitutional Convention.
After a successful legal practice before
the Court of Claims and the Supreme
Court of the United States, Bedford
county's most distinguished son again
was honored by election to the last Vir-
ginia constitutional convention, of which
he became president.
At one time Mr.. Goode was president
of the Virginia Bar Association. He was
the author of .'Recollections of Life
time,'' a work of great historic interest,
and a subsequent series of articles en-
eracy,' descriptive of prominent men of
the confederacy.
Mr.. Goode married Miss Sallie Urquart
of Isle of Wight county. Va, who died in
1889. Three children survive them, Mrs
William T. Brooke of Norfolk, John b.
Goode of New York and James L. Goode
of Norfolk
He was a typical gentleman of the old
schoof'-a man of splendid stature, large
head crowned with snowy hair, ruddy
complexion and eyes that Sparkled with
fun and twinkled with the kindly humor
that he invariably injected into his always
bright and interesting conversation.
Versatile and All Around Man.
Mr.. Goode, his best friends say. was not
a great man in the sense of Overpowering
distinction in any one line. He was TOO
ma my sided man not to have been out
stripped by some man of fewer accom-
plishments. yet 1t is doubtful if his age in
the state produced more versatile and
all-around able man. He was safe law
maker, a good lawyer. fine soldier and
a courteous gentleman. His greatest gift
was his oratorical ability. in which few
men of his time surpassed him. While not
profound scholar. he possessed Il wealth
of imagery, a ready flow of exquisite Ian
guage, and especially on subjects touch
ing the south, where his sympathies were
enlisted he rose to degree of eloquence
that captured his audiences and held
them by the magic of his oratory.
Some of his speeches in Congress
brought him national reputation, but his
Grafton at the unveiling of the monument
at Yorktown in 1876 probably will remain
as his masterpiece of forensic eloquence
Mr. Goode was always prominent in Vir-
ginia politics, though not an aspirant for
office. preferring the pursuit of his legal
profession. He was the embodiment of the
genial companion and interesting CONVEX
sationa1st, and no party was dull that
claimed his presence. His personal hab
were extremely temperate his private life
above reproach and his domestic relations
all that find the commentator of friends
and inspire affection I'm those of the home
circle.
AMERICANS AMONG STARTERS