Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-09-26
NO.. 36.
Death of chief Justice Murray

Hugh C. Murray, Chief Justice Of the Supreme
Court of California. died at his residence on l.
street, near Third, in this city, on Friday morn
ing, Sept 18TH at a quarter past twelve o'clock.
For long while Judge Murray had been suffer
ing TO considerable extent from an affection OF
the lungs. and often has occupied his seat upon
the Bench when his health scarcely justified that
proceeding. About ten or eleven days since his
disease suddenly assumed more violent form.
and confined him entirely to his room. Frequent
ly during this confinement the symptoms were 50
favorable as to warrant the hope on the part Of
himself and friends, that all Immediate danger
had passed but as often from some apparently
trivial cause backscts would occur, which, for the
time, prostrated those hopes \ few days before
his death, he was believed to bo out OF danger,
when sudden revulson took place, which led to
u critical examination, and by sounding Of his
lungs, The discovery that the left lobe was do
stroyed by The disease. His physicians Drs.
Price aud Proctor with Dr.. Blake, consulting
physician. at once pronounced his case hopeless,
as has heretofore been announced. By the force
Of WILL Judge Murray, however, bore up against
the workings of his disease until the evening pre-
ding his deccase, when the consciousness Of his
situation was first fully manifested to him, and
he calmly resigned all hope Of lie. From that
hour he rapidly, though tranquility sank into
death. A post morton examination held yester-
day afternoon, fully developed the correctness Of
the previous Investigation. 1t was asccrtalned
luOb luc lUlltNlNlt tNuNc Nl uculu WAS tNt pclLu-
ration of the left lung by the rNvages of disease.
\ small cavity, of the size of the head Of pin,
was discovered, which permitted the passage OF
air into the chest. producing inevitable Death
For weeks he has been hanging, US it were, be-
tween life and death. and violent Gt of cough
ing, with which he was first attacked caused
rupture of the tegumcnt, and the opening above
| referred to.
Hugh c. Murray, although of Scottish descent,
was born in ST. Louis, Missouri, ON the 22d Of
April 1925, and was therefore, about thrty-two
years aud five months Of age at the time of his
death. While yet an infant, his parents removed
to Alton, Illinois, whore his widowed mother, II
woman of strong intellect and estimable charac-
ter, now resides with her son--the only living
relations Of the deceased Judge Murray rcceiy-
ed his education ut Alton. aud there studied tho
profession Of the law, under the supervision Of
the Hon. n d. Strong OF an ardent and ad-
ycntarous disposition, Judge Murray sought II
position in the army OF his country during the
war with Mexico. aud received the appointment
Of Lieutenant in the l ih Regiment Of Infantry.
Ho served during tue war on Gen. SCOTS line.
aud upou the conclusion OF peace, returned to
Illinois, The discovery Of gold IN California
opened new field TO his restless spirit aud he
was among the first TO leave the home of his youth
for the shores OF California. lie came by tho
way OF Panama. bat not having secured n through
passage, embarked at that point on the brig Two
Friends for SAN Francisco This was au old and
adverse that occurred Mt that period. lie was
six months in coming from Panama TO San Fran
cisca, and in company with a number of his com
panlous, left the vessel at Cape St Lucas, and
walked the entire distance from that point to hls
place Of destuation--sultrng innumerablc hard.
ships and privatOhs.
He arrived at San Francisco In September
1910, and at once commenced the prnctice of the
law. AZ that early period, Judge Murray was
distinguished for his social and conyivial quali-
tles-in which were conferred all the faults he
possessed ms well as for his keen perception of
points Of law and great legal acumcn. Even
then, his perccptive powers were noted and com
mentcd upon by his associates in the profession
aud upon the organization Of the Superior Court
OF the city olSau Francisco, by the first Lcgsla-
turc OF our State in 1850, he was Immediately
GXcd upon os one particularly qualified for the
position Of Judge of that Court. lie was accord
lp2ly elected one Of the Associate Justices, with
}. Caleb Smith Judge Morse having been ap-
pointed to preside. The manner IN which the
functions Of this Office we're performed, satisfied
every one Of his judicial capacity, and in 1851,
upon the resignation Of Judge Bennett he was
appointed by Gov. McDougal as one Of the Asso.
ciate Justices OF the Supreme Court, lu place of
that gentleman. His term Of Office having eX-
pted, in 1868 he received the nomination OF the
Democratic party for the same position, and was
elected by the people. Upon the resignation OF
judge Lyons, during the year. he became Chief
elected having expired in 1850 he was, during
the fall of that year, nominated for the fnll term
Of six years, by the American party, and after
desperate contest, in which every appliance was
brought to defeat him, he was again elected by II
small majority. Judge Murray has been the pre-
siding member Of the Court up to the time of his
death, and has, with the exception Of few
months absence in the summer or 1858, on WIS.,
it to bis mother and brother, devoted oil the en-.
erges o.! his mnd to tho discharge Of bis judicial
duties
As q man, judge Murray has always been noted
for his extremely positive character No one in
the state possessed more warm and devotedly
attached friends, aud probably no one more bit
ter enemies. lie sought no disguise OF his pre-
leronccs or dislikcs nor did he strive to conceal
the faults Of his nature. lie was consequently
subj cited to severe criticism--as much so, per
hap4, as any man who has occupied so exalted
position. The violence o. assault had on the
other hand. the effect Of drawing to him more
closely his friends, and we doubt not that the
tears she'd at his grave will flow directly from
the very depths Of the heart Sac. Union.