Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-07-12
Death OF ". Outerpridge spates.

on summer day in the year Of 1897 a
country lad of stalwart brain and Drawn
came to Rockville of his own volition with
the fixed purpose of becoming an entrant
in competitive examination to be held
on that day by the public school authori-
ties by which the successful competitor
was to be rewarded with free scholarship
IN st. Johns College. at Annapolis. He
was of highly respected farmer father and
domesticated mother. That his fellow
man might identify him he bore the first
parental gift Of the name of William Out
erbridse Spates, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Rich
ard F. Spates, of Poolesville district, this
county. He left behind him his father
mother. sisters and brothers. his school
mates. the joys Of his country school days,
as yet his only school days. his dogs. guns
and horses. These he loved throughout
life as well as he did the morning that
he parted with them. But he took with
him the practical lessons that he had
learned on his fathers farm; he took with
him gentleness, manliness and religious
thought that had been indoctrinated by
careful, loving father and mother; and
with him, determination to win exalted
position in his career, presumably in the
profession he then had in view, the law,
as he adopted that upon graduating from
college.
He took the examination here, and at the
finish of the review of the papers Of the
class Of competitors he was found to be in
the lead. Ultimately he was awarded the
scholarship at St. Johns, making his en-
trance therein the succeeding fall From
there he graduated. and later became q
graduate of the University of Virginia. In
the course Of his attendance he became a
recognized expert in the popular game
known as foot ball and led the representa-
tive teams of the two institutions to many
glorious victories
He was admitted to the Rockville Bar
in 1906. From the beginning his business
was remunerative. and increased in vol
ume with each succeeding year. In 1912 he
was elected by the local Democratic party
States Attorney for this county for term
Of four years. He did not aspire to a Sec
ond term. The duties of the Office were
discharged with unusual credit to himself,
with dignity to the position, justice to the
State, and mercy to the unfortunate ones
whom he was sworn to prosecute His
professional life was full of promise He
reached the proud distinction of leadership
with other members of the Bar at which
he practiced.
His wide knowledge of the law, his power
OF oratory, and his keen understanding of
human nature made him an attractive
parsonage when he arose in court to speak.
The latter two attributes brought him
many cheers as he spoke in behalf Of the
tenets Of his party, to which he was al
ways ready to give honorable assistance
toward making it dominant. In the tone
OF his mind there was something imperial
He viewed objects from the greatest height.
and his reflections acquired sublimity in
proportion to their profundity, as In deep
wells Of water we see the sparkling of the
highest fixed stars.
At his home here on Thursday night,
July 8. 1918. the young. brilliant, earthly
life Of William 0uterbridge Spates, embrac-
ing SO years. was suddenly closed by death,
happening that shocked the entire COM
munity. His demise was the result of
heart disease. The funeral services were
conducted at his late home by Rev.
Willard F. Minnick. pastor of Christ Epis-
copal Church. Rockville, in the afternoon
Of Sunday last. A large concourse OF per-
sons attended and the floral tributes were
many and magnificent His remains were
inferred in Monocacy Cemetery, at Bealls-
vile, this county
He is survived by his wife, Ethel W.
Spates, who is a daughter Of Mr.. Horace
D. Waters, of Germantown. and a son, AL
fred W. Spates; father. three brothers and
two sisters.