Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-07-06
THE JOURNAL.
CLEARFIELD, Pa, JULY G, 1859.
EnN.IAMEs BURNSIDE.


HON. JAMES BURNSIDE.
What can be more startling than the bell at
midnight or the quick and impetuous knock
ing at the door when all the inmates have sank
to rest. The sleeper starts from his slumber,
his heart beats rapidly, spasmodically, and his
breath is labored. An indescribable aptre-
hension of evil seizes the half aroused, who
knows that such sounds cnly omens of bad
portent. Shortly after midnight, on Sabbath
morning last, messengers reached this town
conveying to our citizens the sad intelligence
that his Honor James Burnside, President
Judge of this district. had been thrown from a
carriage, within sight of his own door, and in
stantly killed. The members of the CIearfeld
bar, officers of the court, and some of Judge
Burnsides intimate friends, were aroused and
informed of the casualty, and they at once
convened at the house of j. L. Cutie, Esq,
and made arrangements to send few of their
number to Belefonte, to pay the last tribute
of respect TO the memory of the deceased.
This informal meeting large one and did
credit to the living and the dead. Wordy and
meaningless eulogies were not resorted to.
All were awed. All felt that in tho midst of
life we are in death, and showed their loss and
the depth of their sorrow by gricf's truest and
most expressive badge-silence. The loss of
one of our most valued citizens. under circum-
stances as appalling, could not have caused
more gloom to overspread our community,
than has the announcement of the death of
Judge Burnside created. Judge Burnside was
in the flower of manhood, full of life, health
and hope. lie had just finished his labors in
attending court at this place and returned to
the bosom of his family, which he almost idol
lied, when this sad accident befel him. His
urbanity and many noble qualities had cndear-
him to our community, and his loss creates
void which cannot be filled.
The deceased was the son of the lamented
Thomas Burnside, first President Judge of
this district and one of the Justices of the Su-
preme court. He was born in Centre county
about the year lS0S-rcceived a collegiate ed
ucation, afterwards studied law which he prsc-
tised for some years with much success. He
was twice elected a member of the Assembly.
During the time he represented Centre coun-
~ in the legislature he became acquainted
with and married his amiable wife, daughter
or Gen. Simon Cameron. In 1853 he receiv-
cd the nomination of the Democratic party for
President Judge of this district and was elect
cd without opposition. As a lawyer Judge
Burnside enjoyed and deserved an excellent
reputation. As Judge he had taken his IA
ther for a model. Quick in forming conclu-
sions. possessed of prejudices which imper-
ceptably controlled him, he sometimes SEEM
cd too much the advocate whilst acting as
jndge-but all freely admit that whether right
wrong in the positions he had taken; he
was conscientious in the discharge of his du-
~ and that no venal influence ever swayed
him. His exemplary conduct, his fine attain
ments, his lively interest in all matters affect
ing the public veal, his warm heart and social
qualities must add TO the sorrow his friends
feel. To say that he was faultless would be
TO deny his humanity His friends wiz for
get his foibles in the remembrance of his
many virtues.