Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 12.pdf/268

 The Supreme Court of West Virginia. Nothing but strong reason and authority, having the force of stare decisis, could drive him from a position taken after due consid eration. "In the consultation room he was extremely tenacious of his opinions, and would only yield to reason, or binding authority. I have seen him carry his points many times in con sultation, by the force of his reasoning. But

he would yield quickly and gracefully if con vinced he was wrong. "As long as juris prudence shall com mand the admiration of the lawyer, judge and statesman, and have the respect of the people, the value of Judge Snyder's strong and convinc ing opinions will in crease, and their lus ter will never fade." No higher enco mium could be tend ered by one man to a fellow laborer than the above, nor one that more fully re ceives the stamp of approval that our people have awarded to Judge Snyder. ЯЛМГК1. It is needless to say more of the abil ity of this man or to even quote from special opinions to prove the estimate which has been placed upon him. The careful student and lawyer can readily follow the opinions themselves with profit. " By their fruits ye shall know them." Judge Snyder was tall, rawboned with clear cut features, wore whiskers short and well trimmed, was round shouldered, even stooped as if the weight of years or wisdom might have taxed his frame. He died in the prime of life, loved and admired by all.

241

Men are fashioned in different molds and their physical and mental development in early years leaves a marked effect on their latter life and on the lives of others. Judge Woods was a man well developed mentally, morally and physically. He was large and handsome, over six feet tall, weighed over two hundred pounds, had a pleasing and gracious manner, and his life has been an inspiration to many a young man who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. The writer from early manhood knew him well until the time of his death. He was a man of strong religious con victions and of pure Christian character, what he believed and professed he lived not proudly, but meekly, not apologiz ing for his faith, but showing his faith by his works. He was fond of his children and affectionate, and as tender as a wom an. I was at one time in court soon after coming to the WOODS. bar, when he was in of an important cause. theHis midst son,of athe young trial man who was a classmate of my own, hap pened in the same town just from his own and his father's home. The judge excused himself, reached over the railing and greeted his son with a kiss — such a man I could not but think was a good man. Judge Woods was of Irish ancestry, was borne in Beauce County, Canada, East, Sep tember 19, 1822. His parents were poor and in his early boyhood he removed with them to Meadville, Pennsylvania, where Al