Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-07-21
JOHN GOODE DEAD
Virginia's Grand Old Nan Gore
to His Reward

WIZ ihih' = oIhnh Oio !" an Op'N
to His Reward
Hon. John Goode, aged 80 years,
Virginian, statesman, lawyer and
soldier, died at st. Vincent's Hos
pital, Norfolk, at 8:45 am. Wednes-
day following stroke OF paralysis
which he suffered several weeks
ago. The body was taken to Bed
ford City Thursday for interment.
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 con-
spicuous man in the State in point
of years and honors. He was the
sole survivor OF the Virginia Seces'
sion Convention and the oldest ex-
member of the National Congress.
He also was q member OF the Con-
federate Congress. He had the dis
tinction OF being a member OF the
convention that framed one consti-
tuition for Virginia. and fifty years
later (19O1-'0N he was president OF
the convention that framed the pres
ent constitution. ~
Mr.. Goode was born in Bedford
county, Virginia, May ID, 1929. He
attended the county schools and
subsequently graduated from Emory
and Henry College. After studying
law under Judge John Broken
borough, OF the Lexington Law
Schools, he was admitted to the bar
and when he reached the age OF q
he was a member OF the Virgi , ia
Legislature, representing Bedford
county. He served his native coup-
ty in the Secession Convention and
later entered the Confederate army
as member of General 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
success. He served three terms in
Congress from the Norfolk district
being the first Democratic represen
tative from that district after the
war.
During Cleveland's first admins
tration, Mr.. Goode was appointed
Solicitor General Of the United
States, and served with distinction
for some time. He failed of confr.
nation in the Senate, however, be-
cause it is said Of political differen-
ces existing between him and Cen
eral Malone, then a Senator from
Virginia. President Cleveland,
during his second term appointed
Mr.. Goode a member Of the United
States and Chilian Claims Commits
sion to settle certain matters in dis.
pute between the two countries.
After a successful legal practice be-
fore the Court of Claims and the SUI
preme Court OF, the United States,
Bedford copnty's most distinguish
ed son agai- Gas honored by elect
ion to the lat Virginia Constitu-
tional Convention, OF which he be.
came president.
Mr.. Goode married Miss Sallie
Urquhart, of Isle of Wight county,
Va, who died in 1889. Three child
rem survive them, Mrs. William 7.
Brooke OF Norfolk; John B. Goode OF
New York and James U. Goode OF
Norfolk.
He was a typical gentleman OF
the old school" 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 con
versation.
Mr.. Goode, his best friends say,
was not a great man in the sense Of
overpowering distinction in any
one line. He was too many-sided
man not to have been outstripped
by some man OF fewer accomplish.
ments, yet it is doubtful if his age IN
the State produced a more versatile
and all-around able man. He was q
safe law-maker, a good lawyer, q
fine soldier and courteous gentle
man. His greatest gift was his or
atorical ability, in which few mer
of his time surpassed him. While
not a profound scholar, he possessed
a wealth of imagery, ready flow oI
exquisite language, and especially
on subjects touching the South
where his sympathies were enlisted
he rose to degree of eloquenct
that captured his audiences ano
held them by the magic OF his ora
tory.
Some OF his speeches IN Congress
brought him national reputation
but his Grafton at the unwilling o
the monument at Yorktown in 1876
probably will remain as his master
piece of forensic eloquence. Mr.
Goode was always prominent in
Virginia politics, though not an
aspirant for Office, preferring the
pursuit of his legal profession. dc
was the embodiment Of the genia
companion and interesting con
versationalist and no party was dull
that claimed his presence. His per
sonal habits were extremely tenn
perate, his private life above re
proach, and his domestic relation:
all that find the commentator o
friends and inspire affection in those