Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/508

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

his "Guide and Alanual," which took him two years to complete. Much of his work was done with his own pen, and now he uses only stenographic help, all editorial work he does himself. The following is a list of the law books written by him, the -same being in general use by the bench and bar in the two Virginias: "Hurst's Guide and Manual," two editions, 600 pp., for mag- istrates, attorneys, etc. ; "Hurst's Annotated Virginia Digest," nine volumes, 900 pp. each, compressing one hundred volumes into nine; "Hurst's Complete Index to Vir- ginia Reports," 1438 pp.; "Hurst's Virginia and West Virginia Criminal Digest," 1013 pp. ; "Hurst's Annotated Pocket Code of Virginia," three editions, 800 pp. ; "Hurst's Annotated Virginia Constitution," 259 pp. ; "Hurst's Form Book for Virginia Attor- neys," 556 pp.; "Hurst's Index and Direc- tory of Virginia Law," 1050 pp. ; and he has now in preparation another work which will appear in 1916. Besides his law works, num- bering sixteen volumes, averaging about 800 pages each, and aggregating over 13,000 pages, he also compiled a "Biographical Mirror of all the Supreme Court Judges of \'irginia" from the first organization of the court in 1779 down to 1895; ^^^ "Sixteen Golden Rules for the Guidance of Courts," together with a historical review of the Su- preme' Court of Appeals of Virginia, and a "History of Law Reporting in the State," etc., prefixed as an introduction to the first volume of his "Digest." He has also, upon request, contributed an article on "Lincoln from the Standpoint of a Southern Lawyer," for a book not yet published. His first book, "Guide and Manual." was dedicated to Pro- fessor John B. Minor; the "Digest" set was dedicated to Judge Edward C. Burks ; while his "Criminal Digest" was inscribed to Pro- fessor Charles A. Graves.

As to his "Guide and Manual," his maiden efifort, his county pai)er (The "News-Re- view") in its issue of November 23, 1894, had this to say:

"At a rare young age in life, Mr. Hurst became the author of a law book in general circulation throughout the State, and thus became the first law writer of Southwest Virginia, and added his name to the honor- able list of \^irginia authors, the whole list, from the first organization of Virginia as a State down to the present time, being only about one dozen, as follows: Tucker,

Lomax, Henning, Robinson, Stephen, Davis, Matthews, Mayo, Daniel, Barton, Minor, Burks and Hurst. Pulaski county has just cause to be proud of the distinction he has thus, so early in life, won for himself and the county of his nativity, and should hope, with him. for greater usefulness and distinc- tion still."

As to this work, Hon. John Randolph Tucker and Professor Charles A. Graves, of the law faculty of Washington and Lee Uni- versity, said : "Mr. Hurst exhibits through- out a competent knowledge of his subject, thorough research, and great clearness and accuracy in his statements of legal proposi- tions. Nothing, it seems, has escaped his scrutiny." Senator John W. Daniel said : "Carefully compiled, exceedingly useful, and a book of great value." Judge Fauntleroy, of the Supreme Court of Virginia, said : "You have achieved a great and valuable work, and conferred a boon upon the State." Governor P. W. McKinney : "Your work is well arranged for investigation, rich with information, and a reliable authority. It should be in the hands of every good busi- ness man and attorney in the State." Attor- ney General R. Taylor Scott : "A monument to your industry, care and legal attain- ments." The "Guide and Manual" was also examined by a committee of thirty- seven lawyers of the house and senate and unanimously recommended for use by the magistrates and officials of the common- wealth. His subsequent works were equally well received, being recommended by the Supreme Court and the bench and bar of the state.

Owning his own plant. Rev. Mr. Hurst printed and published his own books, read- ing all the proof himself. In recent years he contracts the printing of his works. He personally conducted the sales by circular advertising, and kept his own accounts of receipts and disbursements. For a time he also owned and conducted a newspaper in his native county.

In June, 1889, Rev. Mr. Hurst united with the Primitive or Old School Baptist church at Bethel, in the neighborhood of his birth, his parents and most of his relatives being of that faith. Moving to Luray, Virginia, in 1901. he was in 1903 ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry. Elders T. S. Dalton, John R. Dailey and Reuben Strick- ler composing the presbytery. He continued