Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-05
FAMOUS CITIZEN
OF VIRGINIA DIES
Major Holmes Conrad, Warrior
and Advocate, Dead in Win
chester Home.
HAD BEEN ILL MANY WEEKS
For Years He Had Been Notable
Figure in State and
Nation.
HAD BEEN ILL MANY WEEKS
Especial to The Times-Dispa,ch.l

stltuttonal lawyer OF Virginia, who was
one Of the few remaining old-time Vir-
ginia counselors. both in manner of
practice and general dcmcanor, died
at his residence in Winchester at i:l5
o'clock this afternoon in the seventy
sixth year Of his age
Major Conrad had been before the
public eye OF the nation for many years.
first as solicitor-general of the United
States during the second administra-
tion of President Grover Cleveland.
from 1894 to 1897, and from that time
until early last spring. II is said. no
practitioner in Washington was q more
familiar figure in the room Of the
United States Supreme Court. as the
representative OF clients Of national
repute. than the brainy lawyer from
Virginia.
HEALTH HAD BEEN FAILING,
AND DEATH WAS EXPECTED
Major Conrad's health had been fall
Ing for months, and none knew Il more
or realized his condition more than he.
On many occasions during tho past
eight weeks his death at any moment
would have been no great surprise 10
his family connections He was fire.
Quently compelled by weakness 10 keep
impclled by a wonderful Will power
and tenactousncss OF spirit TO get up
and walk about the house-the hand
some and wcll-kcpt old mansion, di-
rcctly opposite the City Hall, both of
which are among the show places of
winchester. When many Of his life
long friends and army comrades heard
that Major Conrad had finally passed
away, they declared that Judging from
his recent physical condition he would
have died long ago had IL not been for
his indomitable mental strength and
unhlnching courage.
Although known by nearly every
person in Winchester. who always
saiuted and addressed him AS Major"
ne was perhaps as equally as we'll
known In Washington When solicit
tor-general OF the United States he
had an office in the building OF the
Department OF Justice. AT one time.
under a Cleveland administration. he
was assistant Attorney General of the
United States. In that and also in the
capacity OF solicitor-general he sue
cessfully handled a large number of
important cases for the government
one OF the most noted and intricate
being the Potomac flats case. After
retiring from the government service.
which was brought about by change
OF administration. Major Conrad con
tinued TO practice his profession in
Washington. President MCKINLEY had
very high regard for Major Conrad's
legal attainments. and they were also
warm, personal friends When tn.
frauds in the Post-Ofice Department
came TO light President Mckinley Sc
lected Major Conrad as special counsel
for the government.
HIS LAST APPEARANCES
IN STATE DEBT CASE
Major Conrad's last appearance be-
fore the United States supreme Cour,
bar was during the latter part OF Anril
or THIS year. when in the final arru
ment OF the old State debt case bc
scored what he declared 10 he the tardy
action OF West Virginia coming into
court and laying claim To a share OF
FHelhias old assets as n credit on IFS
part OF the Old Dominion's State debt
ne went over the entire case in A con-
else and comprehensive manner.
Major conrad addressed tho court
win great force and vigor for more
nan MAJ an hour after rising from his
seat. and quoted a wide variety NJ et,
tistics and figures, showing hut NIL
fatigue at the close of his arrumon, IT,,
also listened to the arguments of othar
counsel for the bondholders. counsel for
the state or Virginia. and those rcpre
sehtlhG west virginia. He came to his
ZONE mere shortly thereafter and hn
never again appeared in any court liz
lived however. long enough to receive
messages from Washington 10 tho az
feet that the Supreme Court had [Ia
clded the interest matter In favor of
tne virginia bondholders, and imme-
diately thereafter a motion that had
been drawn by Major Conrad at his
home here. was offered in the Supremo
Court to appoint receiver to enforce
the courts Judgment.
HIS FAMILY PROMINENT
IN VIRGINIA AFFAIRS
Major Conrad came of a family that
has always been prominent in the no
Ntical, governmental and social affairs
or virginia Ills father, the late Rob-
ert \. Conrad. was lawyer OF dis
tinction.
Major Conrad had been the nestor Of
the Winchester bar for many years AL
though always citizen and resident of
the city OF his birth, he had spent much
% ms tlme during the past twenty five
or thirty years in Washington, practfc-
Ing his profession. and while there he
look an active part in practically all
matters pertaining to the Confederate
veterans and the United Daughters of
tho Confederacy For long time he
f.
Tee or the annual ball of the Southern
ReieL society, an event of much i'm
portance In capital society. He was also
IN much demand as a public orator. and
ms speeches at hanquets, veterans re-
UNIONS ana on other occasions have
oeen printed and quoted far and wide.
Major Conrad was born in Winches-
ter on January 81. 1870, and was edu-
Gated at the old Winchester Academy,
the virginia Military Institute at Lex
fngton. and at the University of Vir.
ginia. Upon the outbreak of the Civil
War he enlisted as private In Com
pany a, First Virginia Cavalry, and in
was transferred later on to tho
Z Eleventh Virginia Cavalry, becoming
adtutant. and in 1864 he was made
major and inspector-general of tho
cavalry division commanded by tho late
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