The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-25
Born at Accomac.

Judge John w. G. Blackstone was
born at Accomac Courthouse, on Oc-
tober 3, 1858, and resided there dur
ing most OF his life He entered Roam
oke College, at Salem. session OF 1874
10. and graduated in June. 1876. with
the degree of a. B., also receiving the
college medal in mathematics. He en-
tered the academic department. of the
University of Virginia in 1876, where
he continued three years. taking up
the study of law at the university in
elor of laws in June. 1881
Four years later he was elected tc
the Virginia State Senate. and in the
extra session of 1887 he served on the
commission which revised the Code OF
virginia. In the regular session OF
lSS7-1SSS he was made chairman OF
the Committee for Courts of Justice
although he had not before served on
that committee. That position he held
Tor Sin years, being reelected to the
senate in 1883. He was delegate to
tne National Democratic Convention OF
1895, which first nominated William
Jennings Bryan. In August. 1896, he
was appointed judge of the County
Court of Accomac by Governor Charles
T. O'Ferrall. In December, 1897, he
was elected by the Legislature for the
full term as county judge of Accomac
and on February 70, 1898, he was elect
cd by the same Legislature circuit
Judge to fill the uneXpired term of
Judge b. II. Gunter. He was Judge OF
the Eighth Judicial Circuit until 1902
and. after the reorganization of the
judiciary under the new Constitution,
was elected Judge of the newly formed
Eleventh Circuit.
Charges Preferred.
This position he held until the win
ter of 1905. when charges were pre-
ferrcd against him on the floor of the
house OF Delegates by citizens of
Hampton and Elizabeth City county
within his circuit, and tho House, by
resolution Of February. 1908, directed
It's Committee for Courts of Justice
to make an investigation. Petitions
for his removal were presented DIV
Delegate H r. Houston and others
signed by a large number of citizens
from his judicial circuit Thirty or
forty witnesses Were examined by the
committee. and his removal was recon-
mended.
Removed by Legislature.
Although there was little division
in the General Assembly as to the ne.
cessity of removal. there was prolonr.
ed debate as 10 the method of pro.
cedure. Finally twenty days notice
was given to Judge Blackstone to
appear in accordance with section 10.
OF the Constitution. making IL neces.
sary for the Legislature to return n
richmond as the session was thon al.
most over Judge Blackstone, who had
neen represented by counsel before
the investigating committee, filed nc
FORMAL answer. but appeared in the
gallery of the Senate when the vote
was taken on his removal.
AT the same session OF the Genera,
Assembly Judge Clarence J.. Robinson
was elected for the unexpired term
Judge Blackstone retired TO hi.
home in Accomac. and though his at.
torneys talked OF contestlng the lie.
gality of the procedure of his removal
no action was taken. Recently he
mad been reported as much improvet
In health, and announced that he woult
seek vindication at the hands Of the
voters of his home county, offerlnc
himself as candidate for the Legisla
ture. There were four candidates, ]
Harry Rev winning
No announcement was made las
night as to arrangements for the fu
neral, though II is anticipated that II
Will be in Accomac