Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1923-12-20
DEATH TAKES
IDAHO JUR|ST
in PORTLAND
Wallace N. Scales Succumbs
to Pneumonia; Bring Body
to Grangeville for Burial
Not in Usual Health for Six
Years; Condition Critical
Only Two Days Before End

Stricken while at the height Of his
career, Judge Wallace Nathaniel
Scales, recognized as one OF the ablest
jurists in the northwest. and for al
most seven years a judge of the tenth
judicial district Of Idaho. died in the
Good Samaritan hospital, Portland,
Ore. Sunday night at 8 O'Clock.
Death was attributed TO septic pneu-
monia. and followed an illness OF
only two days duration. Judge Scales.
however. had for almost six years
suffered from the effects of an at
tack of influenza. and he had gone
to Portland month ago from Lew
iston, In hope that the change In elf
mate would improve his health. A
weakened condition of his heart made
it impossible for the judge to with
stand the added strain of pneumonia.
Wife Is at His Bedside
Mrs. Scales. who had accompanied
the Judge to Portland, was with him
when he passed away. Her sistee,
Mrs. A f. Parker, who had beers
summoned to Portland by telegraph,
arrived in that city on Monday morn
ing, twelve hours after Judge Scales
died.
Judge Scales, who for thirty years
had been a resident of Grangeville,
was a native of North Carolina. He
was born on a plantation in Granville
county, on June 10, 1866, and was the
son of Junius Irving and Effie Ham
ilton Scales. His was typical old
southern family, and for several gen
erations his antecedants mad been or
eratiOns members of his family had
been OF the legal profession and pub
lie officials
Judge Scales father was a lead
ing attorney of Greensboro, N. o.,
and his grandfather, Archibald Hen
derson Scales was chief justice of
the supreme court of North Carolina.
His uncle, A. M. Scales, was governor
of North Carolina, and afterward a
member of congress from that state.
Is Secretary to Governor
Judge Scales was reared in his ma
tive state. He attended Davidson
college, and later was admitted to the
North Carolina bar. In 1888, he was
secretary to his uncle, Gov. A. M.
Scales
Judge Scales came west in August,
1898, at the solicitation of his friend,
J. w. Reed. a practicing attorney in
Lewiston, and former member of
congress from North Carolina. The
young lawyer was to have entered into
a partnership with Mr.. Reed, but after
reaching Lewiston, he decided to come
to Grangeville, and practice his pro-
fession here.
Since locating in Grangeville in
1898. Judge Scales life was one of
rapid ascent up the ladder Of success
in his chosen profession, until, in
1917, he reached the judgeship Of the
tenth judicial district, comprising Ida
no. Lewis and Nez Perez counties.
First he entered into a law part
nership with Attorney Worth, under
the firm name of Scales & Worth, and
later Judge Scales and Atty. Hamp-
ton Taylor formed the partnership Of
Scales & Taylor.
Named Probate Judge
In 1895, he was appointed probate
judge, to fill vacancy, and removed
from Grangeville to Mt. Idaho, then
the seat of government in Idaho coun-
ty he was elected probate judge in
1896, and also filed the position OF
county superintendent of schools.
In 1898, Judge Scales was elected
prosecuting attorney Of Idaho county,
and in 1900 was reelected to this po-
sitiOn.
Continued on last page)