Mr. Bradshaw: The sketch of Mr. Henry Armand London will be read by Mr. Walter D. Siler. Mr. Siler read as follows: HENRY ARMAND LONDON Henry Armand London was born at Pittsboro, Chatham County, on March 1, 1846, and died in the same town where he always lived, January 19, 1918. He was educated at the State University; read law under the late Dr. John Manning; secured County Court license in 1867, and a year later obtained a license to practice in all the courts of the State. For more than half a century he was an actively engaged practitioner at the bar, and throughout this long stretch of years took a prominent part in all public affairs. A learned lawyer, a wise, safe, and cautious counsellor, an eloquent advocate, aided by diligence and industry, led to a long and successful career, which might well be envied by any member of our profession. In the practice, as in all the other relations of life, he was distinguished for his unbending integrity, his unfailing energy, his continued diligence, his indomitable courage, and his straightforward conduct. He was thorough in the preparation of his cases, courteous, kind, and considerate in his dealings and relations with his fellow members of the bar, and with unfaltering loyalty espoused the cause of his client with all the strength and power at his command. When once employed, his client's cause became his own, and regarding every case he undertook a call to duty, he always found the work before him an inspiration to his best endeavors. But in his zeal for his client he never lost sight of his love for justice and fair play. "He sought the shadows of no by-path to attain his goal, and the dust of no nigh-cut ever felt the weight of his footfall." As a soldier, a patriot, and a citizen, his career was as conspicuous and successful as was his record as a lawyer. In his youth he left his studies at the University to serve in the armies of the Southern Confederacy, and remained at his post of duty until the last shot was fired at Appomattox. No son of the South served her with a more unselfish devotion or loved her cause with a deeper affection. He at all times took a deep interest in the Confederate veterans; delivered many notable addresses at the reunions of his comrades, and rendered the State a patriotic service in helping to record and preserve North Carolina's glorious record in the War between the States. In every movement that had for its purpose the moral, educational, or material advancement of his county or State, he took a prominent and leading part. He was at all times deeply interested in historical research, and at the time of his death was president of the North Carolina Historical Society. For more than thirty-five years he was a faithful and efficient trustee of the University, and was at all times an enthusiastic supporter of educational advancement and the cause of temperance. In 1900, and again in 1902, Major London was elected State Senator from his district. As a legislator, he was faithful, watchful of the interest of his constituents, devoted to the State's welfare, and ever alert to protect and preserve the institutions of our country. In the esteem of his colleagues he stood high, serving upon important committees, and in the Legislature of 1903 he was, by unanimous vote, elected President pro tem. of the Senate. In the deliberations of the body, as the Journals will disclose, he took a leading part, and was justly regarded as one of its ablest and most useful members. For upwards of forty years he was the able editor and successful publisher of a country newspaper, a record unrivaled in the history of journalism in the State of North Carolina. His paper was always an exponent of the best thought; advocated the highest ideals, and sought the promotion and advancement of our social, moral, and material welfare. Though published as the organ of a political party, he never lost sight of his country in his zeal for the success of his party, and nothing mean, little, unfair, or sordid ever emanated from his pen. Among his fellows of the press none was regarded with more honor or esteem. He gratefully received and worthily wore all the highest honors within the gift of his associates, and was justly regarded as one of the State's ablest and most patriotic editors. In politics, he was a Democrat, and throughout his long and useful career his efforts were always engaged in advancing the interest of his party. He was for more than forty years a member of the State Committee; was active, wise, and useful in the counsels of the party; eloquent and effective upon the hustings; powerful and convincing with his pen, and served it loyally from the time he cast his first vote until the hour of his death, but there was nothing of the demagogue about Major London. He never pretended an interest in the people which he did not feel. He never sought to rise in the estimation of the people or to advance his party's cause by any appeal to prejudice, self-interest, passion, or by any pretenses of sympathy which he did not sincerely feel. In all political matters or discussions he was fair, candid, and sincere, and his political life was as far removed from that of the time-server or demagogue as the clearest sunlight is removed from utter darkness. In the family circle all the tender traits of nobility, generosity, and chivalry found their fullest utterance in his domestic relations. As a husband, he was faithful, devoted, and loving to his noble, good wife. As a father, he was kind and affectionate to his devoted daughters and his worthy sons. His home was one of sunshine and joy, and he surrounded it with an atmosphere of culture, refinement, and purity that might well serve as an example to every American home. As a man, he was honest, sincere, genuine, fearless, and candid. No one ever doubted his sincerity. He never rang false or hollow; never attempted to pass for what he was not. He hated pretension, sham, and concealment; he despised double-dealing, trickery, and deception; he abhored hypocrisy, cowardice, and deceit. He was outspoken. What he said he meant; and what he meant he said. His bond needed no seal, and his word was as good as his bond. He never deviated from the path, which his heart impelled him to walk. He never turned back from the course, which his judgment and conscience marked out for him. You always knew where he stood upon any public question. His faith once plighted was never violated; his word once given was never broken. Loyal in his friendships, true to his convictions, he commanded in the fullest measure the respect and admiration of all who knew him. For more than fifty years he was a faithful communicant and regular attendant upon the church of his choice. He was devoted to its ordinances; faithfully followed its precepts, and throughout his long and well-spent life lived in constant, not fitful, accordance with the maxims of the gospel. He met death with that same calm fortitude with which he confronted the trials of life; he looked into the Unknown and was unafraid. While he has gone from his accustomed place among us, his memory will abide in the hearts of his associates, and will inspire them to higher and nobler lives. WALTER D. SILER. Mr. Bradshaw: The last sketch ready to be presented at this meeting is that of the late Judge Albert L. Coble, which will be presented now by Hon. Mark Brown, of Asheville. Mr. Brown: This was not prepared by me but by the Chairman of the Committee on Memorials, Mr. Bradshaw. (Reads as follows): ALBERT L. COBLE The sudden death of Judge Albert L. Coble, from heart failure, at his home in Statesville on the morning of January 1, 1918, was a great shock to his family and friends and to the community at large. A week's slight illness beforehand did not give cause for alarm. Twenty-five years ago, follow ing a long illness, it was known that his heart was affected, but for years it had not been considered serious, as his general health seemed to improve with his age. Judge Coble was a native of Alamance County, and a son of W. L. Coble of that county, and was born in that county sixty-two years ago. Judge Coble was descended from Duncan McRae and Anna Cameron, who came from Scotland and settled in North Carolina shortly before the Revolution. Their descendants lived mostly in Fayetteville and Wilmington. The late Judge Cameron McRae was one of these descendants. Judge Coble was prepared for college at Graham High School; entered the University in 1876, and graduated in 1880 with the degree of A.B. During his last year at the University he was tutor in Latin. From 1880 to 1883 he taught school in Halifax County, Va., and in Graham High School. In July, 1883, he married Miss Carrie F. Patterson, daughter of the late Rufus L. Patterson, of Salem, and granddaughter of the late Governor Morehead. In the fall of 1883 he returned to the University as assistant professor of mathematics, and remained two years, during which time he prosecuted the study of the law in the University Law School. He obtained his license to practice law in the fall of 1885. In the same class were Mr. James H. Pou, Hon. Josephus Daniels, the present Secretary of the Navy, Hon. Thomas Settle, and others who have achieved prominence in the State. In January, 1886, Mr. Coble located in Statesville, N. C., for the practice of his profession, and formed a partnership with Hon. David M. Furches. In 1884, Judge Coble was elected Judge of the Superior Court, and Judge Furches was nominated and elected a Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. This was the first public position ever held by Judge Coble, and the honor came to him unsought. After his term of eight years as Judge expired, he was appointed Assistant United States District Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, holding that office for more than |