Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-21
JUDGE JOHN D. c. BROWN
DIES IN NEWPORT NEWS
Famous and WelI-Loved Police JUS
tice Succumbs After Linger.
ing Illness.
FUNERAL THIS AFTERNOON
lie Had Presided Over Police Court
Since Town Was Incorporated In
f80G-Fcw Men I'm Virginia Had
More Loyal Friends Than He.
Especial to The Times Dispatch. ]

lSpcc1dl 10 nc
NEWPORT NEWS. VA. January 90.
John ID. c. Brown. for many years
police justice of this city. and widely
known throughout the English speak
ing nations OF the world as the original
Of Walter Kclley's virginia Judge"
died ut his home here to-day shortly
before noon after a lingering illness.
His death had been expected for days.
The end was quiet and peaceful. Short
ly before becoming unconscious the
patient realized death was near, and
calmly whispered "Goodby" TO his
friends
Judge Brown was born In Hanover
County, Virginia. June IG, 1865. Ills
parents were Joseph Booth Brown and
Fannie l.. Taylor Brown. He was cdu-
Gated at Oakland Acadamy and the
University of Virginia. His early life
was spent In the county OF his nativity,
but he came to Newport News in 1893
To engaged in the practice OF law.
When the city was Incorporated three
years later he was elected police JUS
tice. and had held that position CON
tinuously since.
CONTEST HAD ARISEN
OVER JUSTICES POSITION
Under the terms OF the City Council.
Judge Browns term expired on Jan
uary last. and tho CITY Council had
i ).
position OF police justice. But the last
Legislature passed Il bill, known as the
Price BILL under the terms OF which
the Office OF police justice OF Newport
News is made elective by the qualified
voters OF the city. and the act pro-
vidcs further that the incumbent shall
hold over until his successor Is elected
and qualified. Under that act Judge
Brown laid claim TO tho office. notwith-
standing the election By the Council
OF Mr.. Christian. and the question had
not been adtudicated at the time Of
his death. Worry over this contest is
believed to have hastcned his death.
Judge Brown had gained a State wide
reputation as a lawyer and police JUS
ticc and was better known than any
poice justice in America, perhaps. be-
cause Of the impersonntion Of Walter
Kelley. II former resident OF Newport
News. who made a great hit on the
stage !n the character Of Justice
Brown"
judge Brown was also prominently
associated with the politics OF the city
and state. and counted many OF the
leaders OF the Democratic party among
his closest friends. He was very
strong with the people and It Is prob
able that no man III tho city could have
beaten him in a popular election Tor
the position he held. He was a thirty
sccond-dcgrce Mason, and had long
been an active worker In that order.
In October. 1896, the year OF his
election to Office. he was married to
Miss Nellie Grace Allen. OF this city.
and two sons were born OF the mar
riaEc, Allen Dudley and Malcolm Tay-
Tor. Mrs. Brown and the two boys
survive. Dudley Brown recently has
been appointed TO the Nava! Academy
at Annapolis.
FEW MEN STATE HAD
MORE LOYAL FRIENDS
Judge Brown was n man OF fine wit,
OF sociahlc disposition. OF personal mag
aciism and strong in his personal at
tachments. lie laid great stress on
personal friendship and was true and
loyal TO those who had won his ar
fcctions. Few men in the State had
more loyal friends than he.
The funeral will be held from the
Newport News Baptist Church to-
morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock, and in
inrtncnt VIII be In GrecnlaMu Ceme-