Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-17
Judge W/ilHam z. Nezvman
Passes AzvQy at atlanta
Home AJter Brief Illness
Jurist a Distinguish
ed Confederate Veteran
and Oldest District Judge
in United States

Judge William I. Newman, re-
vered and beloved Albanian, dis
tinguished Confederate veteran and,
in point of service, the oldest dis
trict judge in the United States,
died at 40 o'clock Saturday morn
ing at his home, "a Forrest avenue.
Atlanta.
Death came suddenly but quietly
to the man whose passing will be
mourned as far as his rame is
known. He had not been feeling
we'll for several days and had re-
manned at home, although not con-
fined to his bed. Saturday morning.
when he was called for breakfast,
he started to set up, when he was
seized with a sudden heart attack.
He died a few minutes later. with
out further pain, as though he but
went to sleep. Members of the fam
lily were with him at the end.
Judge Newman is survived by his
wife, who was Miss Fanny Alexan-
der, Of Knoxville, Tenn; by three
children, Mrs. John Patterson, of
Richmond, Va: Henry A. Newman
and Miss RANGES Newman, of At
lanta, and by one grandson, Lewis
Rucker, who lives at the Newman
home on Forrest avenue. Another
daughter, Mrs. Walter Howard. died
recently.
The death of Judge Newman will
cause more sincere and universal
sorrow than that of any Georgia
citizen who has passed away in
years. To the city of Atlanta as a
whole, to his thousands of personal
friends, to the legal fraternity of
the state and the nation, to hundreds
Of more humble folk-offenders
against the 1aw--it brings grief un-
measured.
Had Served "a Years
Atlanta loses one of her most hon"
ored citizens, pioneer Of the fast
diminishing "Old Guard" which has
ever been the city's strength and
pride. The Georgia bar will MICS
him as, the dean of. all United States
district judges, a pillar and shin
ing light of law. And those others,
the men and women who from time
to- time have sinned against the
statutes and 4. come before, Judge
Newman for judg1ne nt---rlany OF
them will mourn the loss Of their
"best friend" one who helped them
even while he condemned
Judge Newman was in the seventy
seventh year Of his life. and hau
served thirty-four years continuous
" on the bench--the longest period
the records show, that the office. or
United States district Judge has been
filed by any present occupant of such
Office in the country.
He was born June %. 1913. near
Knoxville, Tenn, and there spent his
boyhood. His father was the late
Mr.. Henry e. Newman, and his moth
er was the late Mrs. Martha A. NeB-
man.
a Record During Civil War
When the Civil war broke out.
fudge Newman was only, seventeen
wears. Although so young, he en-
listed in the Second Tennessee cav
airy, the Lookout Rangers, as a prl-
waite. After valiant service in the
field. he was promoted to the rank
OF lieutenant a year later. In the
latter part of 1865 he was wounded
and captured, a prisoner at john
SONS Island until he was exchanged.
Returning to the front, he was
wounded again near Jonesboro, Ga,
in the last year of the war. The
wound cost him his right arm, for
it was terribly shattered and he lay
for some time on the field. The man
who carried him off at last used to
visit Judge Newman i'll later years
at the federal building, and never
did that occasion arise but Judge
Newman invited him to a seat on
the platform and had him remain
there until court adjourned.
After the war Judge Newman took
up his residence in Atlanta. He be-
gan the study of law under the late
Judge John L. Hopkins, for years one
of the most distinguished jurists in
the state. He was admitted to the
Georgia bar in 1856, and Immediately
began practice. For many years he
was in partnership with Judge w. u.
Ellis, of the Fulton superior court.
Appointed by Cleveland
Judge Newman was first appoint
cd Judge of the northern district OF
Georgia by President Grover Cleve-
land in 1886. 1t was Cleveland's first
judgeship appointment, it is said,
and was made when a successor was
named on the death of Judge Henry
J. McCay. The United States senate
was in recess at the time so that
Judge Newman took the oath of Of
flee twice once OH August p, 1886,
when the appointment was first made
and he was sworn in to serve during
the recess, and again on January %.
1897, after the senate had reaSsem-
bled and confirmed the appointment.
Six years ago, when he passed his
milestone, Judge Newman
might have retired under the law
that permits a "2I>"A' judge 70 retire
on full pay after the age Of seventy.
The law permits three courses this
or continuance, or, II the judge is
unable TO perform al the duties OF
other Judge 10 assist him.
Judge Newman cEo@s the second
course until. last ysar. when the
press OF the circuit business grew
SO great that ne decided TO as; Tor
the appointment. O. another judge.
Judge Samuel T.. Siblsy wc& APP
pointed and took the oatn Of Office
August 3. 1919. on Judge New
mans death Judge S:b,cy automar-
ically takes NJ u" entire business OF
the court There VIII - 40 49,
cesso" appointed.
Although tie rt-..:, Id b.
judges aIt&" Ju[ge >iJi ! - -