The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-09-29
|ALE AND HEARTY
AT THE AGE OF S.
,eIice Justice Of Richmond Passes
Sfxty-sixth Birthday, Widely
known for His Honor.

~ Ric h mond. Va, Special
Police Justice John Jeter Crutch-
HELD Tuesday passed the sixty-sixth
milestone in life's Journey.
Although nearing the threescore
and ten mark. the white-haired gem
Aleman, whose kindly and benign
countenance accompanies this little
uHE< pine of his life, is as hale and
<s<[+s ~ and as active as he was TWEEN
|SDFyears ago. Indeed his health is
setter than II has been in years.
- The name Of Justice John is an
1nustrlous one, and one that is known
.r8rom >7nSt &c to the Pacific, from
s - 3 /s<{|| Rio Grande, and il
III; - ~ hyperbole TO say that
49, |<|< |ell- nigh International
~ = ystration OF the laws as
~, II. I'm in the Police Court,
- s: be has presided since July
made him famous. His
mon sense in dealing with
!<&S Of criminals has made him
be quoted, and his humor
|.s<'.:>'8 ed many hearty laugh.
3 80 ~ TO Richmond never feel
|ey have completed their visit
49, to the court of Justice
- ~ DDeen made.
= r' court over which the One John
sc8ides has long been the mecca of
draveling men. delegates to conven-
lions, theatrical and sporting people
VINO visit this city, and all leave his
presence feeling amply repaid for
their visit.
Since he has been on the bench
Justice Crutch6eld has shaken the
hands of more people-people who
ask and deem ii privilege to do so
than perhaps any other like jurist
in the country.
Charles E. Blaney, the versatile
playwright and husband of the Rich
mond favorite, Cecil Spooner. some
time ago expressed his intention to
write play around" Justice Crutch-
Weld In fact Mr.. Blaney spends a
nw# aNE H..
studying the characteristics of the One
John, whenever he visits Richmond.
Than Justice Crutchfeld there is no
} more popular city official in Rich
mond. Admired by the law-abiding
element of the city, he is both feared
and loved by evildoers.
There is not a man in this city who
is better liked by the newspaper re-
porterS-those who cover" the news
of his court morning after morning
week after week, month after month,
for their papers, and who are in di-
rect touch with him during the time
they are reporting Police Court pro-
ceedings.
The genial Police Justice is ever
alive TO the wishes of the reporters.
and whenever an occasion presents it
self, he is the first one TO help them
QUITO furnish just the information
necessary to complete a story" Not
only is Justice Crutchfeld liked by
the newspaper men, but this feeling is
mutual The men who sit under him
and hear his decisions day after day
soon learn the true worth of the man
through-to some-a too incense
Quential exterior. They believe in his
honesty, his wisdom on the bench, and
<o5n the goodness of heart they see so
often-and sometimes behind the
ecenes-so tenderly exercised. They
recognize in Justice John controlling
factor in a problem which has proven
so troublesome in other cities and has
been so easily disposed OF here
through his wise exercise of the law
Justice Crutchheld was born in
Richmond September 20. 1874. He
received his early education under Da-
vid Turner and entered upon his bust
mess career as deputy clerk and weigh
master OF the Second Market. He was
appointed justice Of the peace for
Monroe Ward by Judge A. b. Guigon
IN 1870 and for five consecutive terms
he was reelected.
In 1872 he was made senior Police
Justice, which office he held until
July 1. 1880. declining at that time on
account of ill health. At the end OF
a year of recuperation he accepted
position with the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railway Company.
On July 1, 1888. he was elected Pc
lice Justice and has since been re-
elected without opposition.
He is remarkable man, with
keen perception, an iron will and a
heart as soft as a woman's. His fame
covers the country from end to end.
Prior 10 the opening of court and
following its adjournment today JUS
tfce Crutchfield was kept busy re-
ceiving the congratulations of his
many friends, both in person. by letter
ard by telephone. A handsome and
lagrant bouquet of flowers was one
of the many tokens OF esteem.
Justice John, whoehas been elected
without opposition term after term,
will again be a candidate to succeed
himself and Will doubtless be re-
elected.