Evening journal., 1913-03-13

FORMER JUDGE,
PASSES AWAY
Distinguished DelaWarean
SuCCumbS After Busy Life
Covering 81 YeaaS
COURTS OF STATE
HONOR HIS MEMORY

Following an illness dating since
December, William c. spruance aged
81 years. former senior associate
judge OF Delaware. and a retired law
yer, died at his home No. 1911 Della
ware avenue yesterday afternoon.
Judge Spruance was 50 years of age
and retired when his term on the
bench expired in 1909. He was ap-
pointed TO the judiciary in 1897 by
former Governor Ebe W. Tunel. The
funeral will take place on Saturday
afternoon with private interment.
Former Judge Ignatius G. Grubb,
who sat for II years with Judge Spru-
ance. last night paid the following
tribute 10 him:
Judge spruances death, though
anticipated by his nearest friends.
came as a general surprise and will
arouse a widespread sorrow and re-
gret throughout the state He was
one OF Delaware's best type OF sturdy
manhood sterling qualities and up
right and useful citizenship. Al the
bar he was one OF it's ablest and most
honorable leaders. As such he brought
to the bench a finely trained legal
mind, great experience, a strong and
we'll balanced Judgment and in indus-
try and devotion to duty which placed
him in the front ranks OF Delaware's
long line OF faithful, eminent and
honored judges. In 1898 he was
strongly recommended for chief JUS
tice Of the state as n candidate against
Hon. Charles 3. Lore who was then
his successful opponent.
I'm 1897 he was appointed senior
associate Judge OF the state, under the
new constitution OF that year. and
served his state ably and with con-
spicuous success until the end OF his
12-year term in 1909 when he retired
10 private life full OF zeal and honors,
and with the earned esteem and af-
fectionate regard of his fellow citi-
zens who will keenly feel his loss
and deeply cherish his memory"
William Corbt Spruance was born
in Smyrna. Del, on April 2, 1881. His
father, Presley Spruance, was for Fl
years a member OF the Legislature OF
the state OF Delaware aud for sis
years was United States Senator rep
rescnting this State He also was 2
lNtIAHNNl anu n hlHhl1 lihEARA'h VIZ
zen Of smyrna
William c. Spruance. after prepar
ing for college rnder tie learned Rev
George Foote and at Newark Acad
emy, entered Princeton College h
January. 1S49. and graduated in 1855.
He read a thorough course OF lay
under Chief Justice Comegys and th
Hon George b. Rodney and at th
Harvard Law School.
IN November. 1855 he was duly at
nitted TO the bar at New Castle. wher
he remained in practice until 1881
when. upon the removal of the court
to the new Court House in Whining
ton, he continued his practice in tina
city
BY reason of his eminent ability am
energy coupled with robust person
ality. Mr.. Spruance soon came to b
regarded by his fellow practitioners
and the laity IN general, throughou
the State, as one OF the foremost law
yers in Delaware. Alike In the coun
sells Of the party. and on the stuml
his Judgment and force of character
and his eloquence as a speaker mad
him a leader in the Republican party
All his life he had been an uncom
promising antagonist OF human slay
cry. and In the early days when tn
injustice OF that practice was not, a
now, conceded and when Il needed th
Eternest sort Of moral fiber to Pre-
claim oneself az a "Black Republl
can" he had the courage TO denounc
It's iniquity in no measured terms.
He was appointed deputy attorne
general OF the State for three year,
and city solicitor of Wilmington 70
two years. In 1876. he was mad
United States district attorney. bt
resigned that Office after four years
admirable administration OF its du
ties. He was a delegate TO the cor
stitut0nal convention of 1897, and a
chairman Of the most important of a
the committees, the committee on IN
judiciary, and as a member OF th
committe on elections and on the e,
ocutive Offices, his ample learning, hi
large legal and political experience
added to great natural Judgment mao
him pre-eminently useful in directin
and shaping the radical change
which we're introduced in that orgar
ic law and which resulted in the fol
nation Of the present vastly improv,
state constitution.
He joined the Republican part
upon It's formation and from the on
break Of the Civil War was an el
thusiastic supporter OF the Union.
June, 1897, the high honor of SEM,
associate justice OF Delaware WI
conferred upon him for the term
IL years. the limit provided by n
constitution he himself helped
frame.
He continued 20 hold this Office an
Continued on Page Seven.