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Judge James W. McBroom, soldier, lawyer, and jurist, a prominent citizen of Abingdon, Va., died there on January 12, 1916. He was born April 10, 1835, in Prince George County, Va. He attended the University of Virginia and afterwards graduated from the Law School of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., in 1858. Volunteering in the State troops May 6, 1861, he was commissioned by Governor Letcher as first lieutenant in the Prince George Rifles, which afterwards became Company C, 6th Virginia Battalion, C. S. A. He served with this company until January, 1862, when he was elected captain of a battery of artillery and stationed on James River, where his command was engaged in planting torpedoes in the river to prevent the enemy's gunboats from coming up to Richmond. He was in this branch of the service until 1864, by which time General Grant had flanked his way around General Lee's little squad of dauntless heroes, crossed to the south side of the James River, and laid siege to Petersburg. He was appointed captain of scouts by Gen. Henry A. Wise, as he was familiar with all the roads and bypaths in the swamps in that region, and by his fine judgement, cool and deliberate courage he kept General Lee posted on every move the enemy made, for which he was highly commended by his chief.

On one of his scouts he came upon a squad of Yankee marauders who were annoying a family in Sussex County, Va. As he approached from the rear of the house, the enemy being in front, a young lady stepped out on the back porch and warned him of the presence of the enemy. He was in no way discouraged, but opened fire on them, and, being taken by surprise, they were soon routed. This young lady was Miss Henrietta Jackson; and the family records show that on the 12th of April, 1865, she became the bride of Captain McBroom, and from that time she was the sharer of his joys and sorrows. Six children blessed their union, three sons and three daughters. Besides his widow and children, he is survived by and aged sister.

[From a tribute by his friend and comrade, Thomas W. Colley, Commander of William E. Jones Camp, U. C. V., Abingdon, Va.]