The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-01-17
Z. Rlt HARD shINNIE.

Richard skinner. the seventh governor of
Vermont was 4 native of Connecticut, having
been born IN LrchtieId in that state on the
Both day Of Nav. l1.> Early in life he was
employed in a store in New Haven, in his
native state, and thus in part. procured the
means which enabled him TO obtain a legal
education, at the celebrated Law School in
his native town. then under the direction Of
hat able LAWYER and profound uriSt, TAPPING
Reeve; LID. Having completed his stud
ieS at that school. he was admitted to prac-
tice in I.itchtic.d county in $500. and same-
time during the same year. removed to VI an
chester w.. where he continued 10 reside ill
his death.
In lSnl, being then but TWENTY-FIVE wears
Of age. aud having been in the state but a
single year. he was elected stat, attorney
for the county OF Bennington. \, this time.
says one OF our able lurstS. speaking of On-
Wttr. the office OF states attorney was ex-
pectes TO be given to one who would be able.
to sustain himself, and to carry his cases St.
curel y withou, aid against the combined tai
ent and Skill OF the bar. a>. in important cri-
mlnal prosecutions, the prosecuting officer
was very likely to encounter an imposing ar
ray "t legal force on the part OF the defense" :"
That the people did not msjudge their nan
IS evidenced by the fact that he continued fo
nil TINS office by successive annual elections
till 1873. and was again called upon to dis
charge the duties thereof in lNl9.-and also
from the fact. that while still state attorney.
he was IN 1906 elected ldge of probate for
the northern or Manchester district of Ben
nlngton county, and was reelected to the
latter office in 1907. 0S, %. 10, II. AM.
l..
In 1913. he declined being a candidate f,i
re election 10 either of the ;.!oremen,!0ne..
offices. and was elected one of the six mem
bers OF Congress from Vermont He served
only one term IN Congress, and at the expira
lion thereof in 1915, he was chosen to repre-.
sent the town OF Manchester in the lesi>a
ture OF Vermont and during that session Wa.
elected second associate Judge of the supreme
court.
In 1916 he was elected chief justice. and
was reelected in 1917. bat declined on ac
count OF the state OF his health, and re
sum"d the practice OF his proft ssion at Man
chester.
Among the numerous trials in which h,
was engaged, it may not be unin,eresting tc
mention the celebrated trial of Stephen ant
Jesse Bourn for the murder of their uncle
Russell Celvin. They were ably defended
by Judge skinner, but without avail The,
were fond guilty and sentenced to be hung
but on the morning o. the day appointed 10
the execution. the murdered man.C Colyln him
self. appeared in Manchester alive and il
perfect health.
In ISIS, Judge Skinner was called tion
his retirement again to serve the public, be
ing that year elected to represent the towr
OF Manchester. for the second time. in th
legislature of Vermont, and on the assem-
bling OF that body was chosen their speak
er.
ln lS20 he was elected by the people gov
ernor of the state. with great unanimity
there being less than one thousand vote
polled against him, and, with singular una
n!mity, was reelected in 1921 and %. |,
his message to the legislature in 1922, he de
cl:ned ret election.
In 1898 he was again elected chief justic
nt the supreme court, and was reelected il
1924, %, 26, - and 2S. Upon being offici
ally informed of his election to this office i
1928, he Immediately declined. aud upon tn
meeting Of the joint assembly, to fill the va
cancy, thus created. he was again elected
Such rare and unexpected compliment h
did not feel at liberty to decline, and there
, fore continued on the bench during the yeal
and at the close thereof retired to privat
life.
, In addition TO being an officer and me mbe
8 of various local societies, he was president c
the northwestern branch of the America
Education Society, and was also one of tn
trustees Of Middlebury College from $50
till his death,-ffom which college he recei,
> ed, in 1917, the honorary degree of Maste
of Arts.
I Whilst crossing the mountain, in tn
d. spring of 1888, he was thrown from his cal
riase, and died,from the injuries then recei,
i, ed, at his residence in Manchester, May 23
\ 1888, in the 10Th year of his age.
= COPARTNERsHIP PIG.-We extract the 70
e lowing funny coparlnership transaction, fro,