The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-03-18

IN MBM0RIAM.

CllNt DuIl, WIS b'ih " ''"O'N'"' -
mont 18th September 1928, and died,
after short illness, of diptheria at
his residence in St Adams, December
26th. 1863, in the 39th year of his age. /
The death Of this gentleman, SO high
" endowed with mental gifts, in the
prime of life and in the midst OF n
brilliant professional career, has awak-
enod no ordinary degree of regret
among large circle of friends and
acuuaintances. One of tins number,
who entertained great regard for ms
many excellent qualities of head and
heart. must be pardoned if he furnish
as best he may, Il brief sketch of his
professional character
James 5. Burt was a man OF no or
binary stamp. He had the advantage
of an excellent academical education
and a careful professional training m-
der parental supervision. He attended
the Franklin County Grammar School
at ST. Adams while it was under the
charge of Mr. AlmOn Lawrence. Sub
sequentlv he became connected with
the Bakersfield Academy, while under
the superintendent of Mr. Jacob Spal-
I ding, with whom he fitted for college.
He entered the University of Vermont
+ in the spring of 1915, but never was
graduated He left the University at
! the first term Of his Junior year, to
commence the study of the law IN his
fathers office ut Sheldon He was adj
mitted to practice at the April Term
of Franklin County Court, A. ID. 1851
and commenced business as an attor-
ney at Sheldon in company with his
father A few years thereafter he re-
moved to St Adams and entered into
co-partnership with the Hon. Asa Owen
Adds, aiding him for about twelve
months in conducting large and profit
able business. Upon the dissolution
of such co-partnership, be continued
the practice of his profession until
November 1862 when he entered into
co-partnership with Myron Buck. ESQ,
of st. Adams, which expired by limit
alton in the month Of November 1868,
few weeks before his death The
life of a lawyer ordinarily presents
n summary of no remarkable incidents
from which a biographical sketch can
be prepared MIR Burt's life was no
exception to this general rule That
he labored for his clients with zeal
and fidelity, and prepared his eases
thoroughly and managed them witt
consummate adroiness and skill is wei
known in al parts of Franklin County
where his reputation was early cstab-
, lished after his admission to practice
He was an qbie advocate and prcsen-
ted his points to jury with great skill
and power In one Of the recent Jury
trials in which he was engaged, Hgb-
Jal1 u.s. Place, he evinced the keenness
Of his intellect and the force of his
logic to n remarkable degree. Before
the Supreme Court, he seldom failed
To command the attention and secure
, the admiration of both bench and ban
Z bv the luasterly manner in which he
] argued his cases Choice IN his Ian
guage, forcible in his logic. and tcrs'
and lively in his style. he was never
tedious, always interesting and Otter
eloquent His argument Of the Law
points arising i'll the case Of C0I2 rs
+ Foster is referred to among many 9th
ers as indicating q good degree of ne
search and learning and great keen
: ness Of intellect
p Mr. Burt was not only regarded ~
y n superior advocate but he WINS justly
t esteemed as IA prudent counsellor His
l. knowledge of the law was SO extensive
and accurate that ms advice upon i'm
portant questions was eagerly sough
and highly priced. He was remarka
bic for critical acumen, technical accu
i. racy and a thorough Acquaintance
with the science Of special pleading
u In fine, while possessing legal min,
IS endowed with great strength and acute
Il ness he became a superior lawyer boil
IN the knowledge of the theory an,
in the practice of his profession 7,
these he added a keen sense of tn
honor and dignity Of his calling an,
maintained courteous deportmen
t toward his brethren at the bar.
p He was a most genial and generou
If minded companion. Those who hes
g knew him viii longest deplore the los
n of Il gentleman whose attractive DUAL
e. tiles of mind and manner rendere
q HIM a general fayoritc as well rs
81 lawyer Of rare ability and promise.
His physical constitution was ex
NJ ceedingly delicate and he seldom en-
es ioyed robust health He fell, there
g fore, IN easy prey to the insidious dis
n, ease Of diptheria which baflled tn
" best of medical skill and died on til
At morning after Chlistmas-Day, 1865
I'd Mr.. Burt leaves wife, father, tw
IL brothers and four sisters to lalnen
his loss
His funeral was largely attended
Messrs Seymour, Edison, Buck an
rs Dewey, brethren of the bar, ofiiciate
le as pail bearers 1t may be proper
" add that his remains were conveyed t
o. Sheldon for interment. There, nea
g. the spot whore his mother and brothe
n repose, he sleeps the sleep that know
v; no waking"
IL We esteem it privilege to publis
the following extract from the sermo
@ of ,he Rev Charles Fay, d. d., 0hic
" was pronounced at Mr., But's funera
&c at st. Luke's Church, st. Adams, o
Ii. Sunday, December 9th, 1868 Wit