Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-30
DRAFH OF s1AJoR THAYER.
REsoLUFIoNs OF zee BAR
Speeches of RIessrs. Palmer, Wyman,
Wallace and Judge Bishop,

pointed Secretary.
On motion of F. J. Prentiss, committee
of Eve were appointed by the Chairman to
draft resolutions expressive of the feelings Of
the Members of the Bar. The Chairman ap-
pointed the following committee; C. ". Pal
msr, NJ. Barlow, Samuel Williamson, John
A. FOOts, and Judge J. P. Bishop, which
committee reported as follows:
RESOLUTIONS.
We, the members of the Bar Of Cuyahoga
county, convened upon the announcement of
the death of our brother and friend Major
Lyman C. Thayer, in view of the sudden
Providence which has removed him, and as E
tribute to his memory, do resolve;
l. That We would record in more enduring
form than our hseting memories, our testi-
mony to the worth, integrity and ability Of
our brother, in all the relations, professional,
social and public, in which for many years
We have been associated.
2. That we recognize in his death, prema-
turely caused by his jealous and unsparing
labors in the military service of his country,
another sacrifice to the many which are oon
secrating z our beloved land and institutions
to the love and homage Of all the good and
noble in ages to come.
s. That we mingle our sorrow with that of
the family and relatives more directly be-
rea7ed, and tender to them the consultations
Of our sympathy in this hour of their trial.
4 That we attend the funeral of cur de-
ceased friend and brother, in a body, from
his residence.
5 That a copy of these resolutions bo trans
mitted to the family of the deceased, and
that the Chairman report them to the next
term Of the Court Of Common Pleas Of this
county with the request that they be entered
upon the Journal Of the Court.
REMARKS OF NR. PALMER.
Mr.. C. W. Palmer spoke very feelingly
and in his usually fslicituus manner to the
resolutions, reviewing the professional life
of the deceased and especially referring to
the service he had done his country in organ
izing an important arm of the military SER
vice, and in giving his health aud strength
and even his life in that service. We only
regret wo have not full notes Of all he said.
REMARKS OF Mr.. wYNAS.
Mr. Wyman said: Ny Acquaintance with
the late Major Thayer dates from 1858, at
which time he removed from Berkshire
county, Massachusetts, to this city, and we
became associated together in the practice of
the Law. He was man OF apparently frail
constitution, but possessed extraordinary ac-
tivity Of mind and body, and whatever work
he undertook was prosecuted with energy
and enthusiasm. During the three years we
wore law partners, business called him once
to California and once to Eagland and
Wales. He was energetic aud prompt in the
preparation and trial Of his cases and up
right and honorable in his practice, ever
ready to forgive and equally ready to
acknowledge an error of his own. His chief
characteristics may be told in two words,
generous and impulsive." When the pres
ent rebellion broke out, ne laid aside all bus
iness of his own and engaged with his whole
soal il that Of aiding his government. His
efforts were untiring in recruiting and organ
izing the first regiment of Cavalry raised in
the Northern part of this State and when the
I'd Ohio Cavalry marched West he went as
it's Quartermaster. A winter campaign in
Western Missouri and Kansas was too severe
for such frsil constitution and he was OBJ
liged to resign from ill health. A short time
at home and the 10th regiment of
of ea9eisy uEna asSignad 10 this mart of the
State to be raised, and Major Thayer had a
large share in getting that regiment ready
for the field, and with it IS one Of its Majors,
he marched to the seat of war, and the regi-
ment finally found its field of duty in Ten
nessee.
The service Of this regiment was mainly in
guarding trains from attacks of the enemy
over large extent of territory, and was of
the most sTduOus kind. Major Thsyer's
health was not sufficient for the draft made
upon it, and he returned on a sick furlough.
No one who saw hin then could have believed
from such utter prostration, that Major
Thsyer could even partially recover. But
few weeks saw him again in the field with
his regiment, and so he remained with 1t,
not we'll indeed, but anxious to retain his
command while he had a remnant of strength
to serve his country, until few weeks since,
when he resigned his commission and came
hOme-returned but to die. And SO we offer
one moro victim to the grim Moloch of war.
We offer the sacrifice Of one more noble life
upon the altar of onr common country.
REMARKS OF MR. WALLACE.
Mr.. Wallace said: If it would not be
deemed obstrusive after the remark already
made, I would like to add a word Of respect
TO the honor and 10 memory of cur brother. |
first met him in l845, at the Berkshire !
County Bar in Massachusetts, where we we're |
about the same time admitted. We at that |
time not unfrequently congratulated our
selves and took considerable degree Of pride |
IN the fact that we had started professional |
life in that grand romantic old county, made |
famous for her Dwights, and SedgWioks, her |
Summers, her Bishops, and her Briggs, A |
Feakness, pardonsble perhaps, to the hope |
iul ambition Of youth.
The characteristics of Mr.. Thsyer were
aver the same, energy, activity and enthu- |
IiRsm. He seemed to have business the very |
lay he was admitted. Tried his case we'll to |
the jury, was often before Legislative Com
nittees at Boston, and was not timid in argu-
ng cases in error before Chief Justice Shaw |
md the courts in bank, to do which was
thought to require, in q young man, consid- |
'rable ability and nerve. In politics he |
Itarted out q Democrat and as such he went /
nto the great coalition movement which re-
Iulted in making the political fortunes Of |
Banks, Boutwell, and Wilson, if nothing /
more. He was always interested, while prac- |
Using law, in public enterprises, and with |
,qual enthusiasm would try cases, prospect |
or an iron ore bed, open a marble quarry, or |
demonstrate by figures and statistics the |
,raeticability and value of the Hcosac Tun
lsl. In 1852 he emigrated to Cleveland, and |
lis name came back to me through the pa
,ers as prominent actor and friend of the /
Lake Shore Railroad lines in the "War Of |
he Guages" at Erie.
In 1855, ten years from the time when first |
re met, tho oOurse,pf events brought me to
his city, and it was from him then, at my
irst looking inupon the court and bar, in the
I'D Court House in the Square, that re-
eived my first and pleasant impressions of
he Cleveland Bar.
had hardly learned the streets Of this
,ity, much less knew its men, when he, after
! days consideration and an evening to ar
-ange his satchel, Whizzed of by rail and |
tesmer, across the Isthmus, to California.
The Golden Gate was passed and San Fran.
,isco, in very brief time, was explored and /
ts suburbs visited; the Sierra Nevada
were approached. He possessed
himself of much knowledge of the great
yold6elds and other mineral regions learned |
much about men and little Of almost every |
-hinn Harino avnidad III hnrrnrs q & I'd