The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-03
JUDGE JAMES KEITH
PASSES AWAY HERE
Was for Moro Than Score of Years
President of Virginia Supreme
Court.
FUNERAL WILL BE FRDAx
Abic Jurist Had Been ON Bench Since
f870--Was Veteran of Confederacy.
Having Served I'm Famous Black
Horse Cavalry.

Judge James Keith, prominent for
moro than forty years in the courts OF
the state and one time president OF
the supreme court of appeals of Viz
xinta. passed away early yesterday
morning in his home. lilo Cathedral
Place, ut the age OF seventy-nine. He
will be buried Friday morning In Hol-
lywood. funeral services to be held at
noon In st. Paufs Episcopal church,
Rev. DR.. Russell Bowie officiating.
James Keith was born in Fauquier
county. the son of Isham and Juliet
Chilton Keith. He was educated In
private schools and prepared for coll
legs In the homo OF the late Robert
n. Scott He graduated from the Uni
verwSty Of Virginia In 1859 and year
Later followed the Gag OF the Con-
federa1y ~ . private In tho famous
black Hesss cavalry. In 1883 he was
promotsd 10 adjutant OF his regiment
sud ~ served until the close OF the
~.
ustaniiahtng O law ONCE In warren
ton after the war MIR. Keith rapidly
Eainsd prominence ana tn 1859 was
elected TO the general assembly from
FauQuier. His merits were recognized
here sad In 1870 he became Judge OK
the Eleventh. circuit. In January.
1895, he became president of the su-
prsme court OF Virginia. He retired
about a year ago after over twenty
years of faithful service.
Judge Keith was twice married. In
1872 he married Mas Liliss Gordon
Morson who lived only FIVE years. and
in 1887 he married her sister. Miss
Frances Barksdaie Morson. who pre-
coded him TO the grave. Judge Keith
10 survived by two children of hts sec
ond wife, Miss Juliet Chiffon Keith
and Arthur Alexander Morton Keith.
now in training at the aviation schooi
1t the University of Texas in Dallas.
The following nieces and nephews
survive the distinguished jurist; Miss
Katherine Keith and MrE. Edward Nj.
Spillman, of Fauauier county; Mrs.
Robert Nelson. of Pennsylvania: Ln-
clan Keith, OF warrenton: Thomas X,
Keith, of Fairfax; Julian Keith. Isham
Keith. OF Fauauier. and James Keith
OF Anniston, Ala,
He was a cousin of Judge r. Carter
scott, Mrs. ArmIstead J.. Wexford. Mrs.
Henninsham spiiiman and hooers
Eden Peyton. Jr.. of this city. ana
closely related to the late General
scott Ship. former superintendent or
the Virginia Military institute.
Tribute of Governor stuart.
when Governor Stuart heard OF the
death az his friend he paid him the
following tribute:
II arm greatly sHnCkeb 6Hu AsStAeSS~"
at the announcement Of the sudden
death of Judge Keith this morning. I
have felt myself honored by hts friend
ship since my early manhood, and each
succeeding yearfhas served only TO m
crease my admiration for him.
fife was man OF superb mental en-
dowments and easily ranked amongst
she foremost of the great judges that
ytrgsaia has. produced. He vas per-
Of
old age, tn which he enjoyed the con-
seriousness as duty performed the state
~Ae loved 90 much and served so long
sand SO well
paiihearers Named.
The pallbearers for Judge Keith have
Been named follows:
Active--H. Stewart Jones. Bruce
Rowe, Colonel Warren +. TAYLOR NJ
n. watts Henry c. Rely. Jonathan
Bryan. Mayor George Ainsiie. Nelson
ingram, G.. Gray Garland and Meuten-
ant Foster witt.
Honorary-Judre John A. Buchanan,
Judge Richard II. CArdwell Judge
george NJ. Harrison. Judge s. @. Whit
tie. Judge Joseph T. Kelly. Judge r.
r. Prentis Judge F, w. Sims. Judge
Martin =. Burks. James r. Pace, III. r.
Pollard. Frederick S. Valentine. Judge
/. /. Lewis. Colonel w. Gordon Nc
cabc, Edgar III. Ferguson. w. w
scott, Governor Fl. C. Stuart, aJmes d.
Patton. r. walton Moore. Colonel
Thomas Smith. II II. Downing. Hugh
Hamilton. Moses NJ Green, William II.
white. wyndham r.. Meredith. Frede-
rick W. tcott. Eppa Hunton. Jr., Henry
Taylor, Jr,. Alfred +. Thorn. Bishop D.
+. OConneli and Harry S. Payne.
The active paiibearers are asked TO
meet at the residence at II 80 o'clock
tomorrow morning and the honorary
pallbearers will meet in ST. Paurs
church shortly before noon.