The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-09

At the expiration OF his prcscnt term
OF office, n little moro than two years
hence. Judge John Alexander Buchanan
will retire from the Supreme Court of
Appeals of Virginia. He will not be
candidate for recollection before the
General Assembly. which meets In
January. 1914. and he Will lay down
the ermine on the last day of that
month.
III health alone Is, 1t is understood.
the cause of this action. which Is cx-
pected to cause general regret, for
among jurists and attorneys. Judge
Buchanan has been regarded as one
of the ablest members of Virginia's
highest court In the carly part of
last year he spent some time In hos
pttal, the treatment resulting in re-
covery. and Judge Buchanan resumed
his place on the bench. But he feels
1t Is believed, that the heavy duties
of the judSeship arc n tax upon his
strength. 1t is expected that he will
retire to his home at Emory. Wash
ington county, for q rest. and may
possibly later resume the practice OF
law.
Has AInny H0norE.
Twice Congressman from the Ninth
Virginia District, former member of
the Legislature. for nineteen years and
Judge of the Supreme Court. he will
take honors with him to his mountain
! home. He was born in Smyth county,
about three miles west Of Rural Re-
treat, October Z. 1913. After attending
the "ield" schools. he went to the
academy at Marion. whence he was
called at the outbreak OF the War Be
tween the States to serve the State
with his muskct on his shoulder. He
- I.. =, -
the Stonewall Brigade. Captured at
Gettysburg. he remained IN prison un-
til February, 1865, being exchanged
and reaching his command just in time
to surrender with Lee at AnpomattoN.
After the war the family moved to
Emory, where ,ie young soldier stud
led and graduated. Later he studied
law at the University of Virginia, To-
eating at Abingdon, Washington coun-
ty. for the practice of his profession
in 1871. Several partnerships ensucd.
and almost from the beginning Judge
Buchanan took a high rank at the bar.
In 1877 he entered politics. canvass
ing the district for the Democratic
party. and always thereafter took an
active interest in political affairs. He
was q member OF the House of Dele
gates from 1885 to 1887.
Goes to Congress.
While absent In North Carolina in
1888. without solicitation on his part,
he was nominated for Congress from
the Ninth District. against Henry
Bowen, whom he defeated by ma
jority of $50 on the sole issue of tariff
for revenue only. Judge Buchanan
was reelected in 1890 by majority
of 5000 over George It. Mills. He
could have received unanimous re-
nomination in 1902. and there are
those who say that had he remained
in Congress. the Republicans of the
Ninth would have long since ceased to
fight, such was his popularity as
representative and the hold he had on
the people. But he declined and was
| succeeded by James W. Marshall. Of
Craig, who died few days ago.
While in Congress Judge Buchanan
was member of the Committee on
the judiciary. and made speeches
, which attracted attention on bank
ruptcy bills, ship subsidy and the tar
III. He resumed the practice of law.
appearing in many famous cases. nota-
bly, the "salt works" case, another be-
ing the murder trial OF DR.. J. A. P.
Baker OF Abingdon
In December. 1893. with the passing
of the old Rcadjustcr court, Judge
Buchanan was elected by the Legs-
lature to the Supreme bench taking
his seat January j. 1895. The new
Constitution changed the terms, and
at the drawing of the lats Judge Buch-
! anan drew the eight-year term. which
f, Will cause Ills retirement. Of his own
yolltion, on January 81, 1914.
BY common consent, cne seat on the
bench of the Supreme Court goes TO
the Southwest. 1t is probable that the
fight for the succession will begin al
most Immediately. Judge Whittle,
whose term expires January 81 next,
h.e No oDpnSition.