The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11
Is THE CIRCUIT COURT.
March Term 1871.

William ". Floyd. Esq, in an appropriate
address announced the dealh of the Hon. Fe-
lix l.. Batson, late member of this bar and
Judge of this judicial district. to the court,and
ed that the following preamble and reso-
lutions, adopted at. II meeting of the Clarks-
Vile bar, be placed upon the records of the
courts:
WHEREAS, Judge Felix /. Batson, late a
member of the bar, died at the residence of
his son-in-law, the Hon. Jordan T.. Cravens.
on the llth instant in this city, after a pro-
tracted illness; and whereas, our deceased
brother was the Oldest member OF the bar,
having adopted this city as his home, and be-
gan the practice oflaw here, in the year 1910
and having been repeatedly, by a people con-
scious of his merits, promoted to many posi-
tiOus of honor trust and profit serving them
with credit as a circuit judge, and afterwards
on the supreme bench OF this State where his
eminent ability and bearing created record
more durable and imposing than monumental
stones and whereas, his private and public
life was so beautiful, ornamented with char
ity, tolerance and becoming dlilidence. all Of
which appeared but the more attractive, when
viewed in contrast with his sterling ability
and success in business. He was ALWAYS kind
and urbane yet firm aud digniticd, holding in
contempt the schemes and tricks of pettifog-
gers, hc fashioned his lie after the caste of
Blackstone Kent, and Storey, and threw him
self in line with the loftiestand purest spirits
of the profession; therefore,
ReSOlred, That in the death of cur brother
the entire State has suffered a calamity, the
bar has lost one of its brightest members, the
community at large weepS for a patriot and
iurist, the church friend and supporter and
we, brother honorable and true. We will
cherish his memory, revere his name and emu
late his virtues, that our end may alike be
honorable.
ReSolred. That we bow with submission to
the decrees of the Almighty Judge, but de-
plore the Providence that removed our broth
er from US.
ReS0lUed, That while we can but deplore
the loss OF brother, so genial and worthy I'VE
do rejoice that the evening of his life was
made tranquil with his Christian graces.
ReS0lred That we tender the afflicted fam-
ly of our deceased brother our hearty condol-
ence in this their time of sorrow. and that
they be furnished copy of these proceedings.
ReSOlred, That these resolutions be present.
ed to the honorable circuit court now in ses
sion, with the request that they be entered
upon the records.
! Resolced, That these proceedings. with the
action of the court herein. be published in the
Gazette. Little Rock Republican, Ozark Tab
let and Dardanelle Chronicle.
| L. NJ GIBSON,
JOSHUA W. TooMER} Committee.
ELISHA MEERs,
To which the Hon. William n. May, pre-
siding, responded:
The court was not surprised by the sad an
nouncement of the death of Judge Felix
Batson, to whose memory his surviving asso
ciates of the bar have paid but a we'll merited
mark of respect in the resolutions offered by
Judge Floyd. For more than two years last
past, we have observed with anxious solici
tudc his declining health. and have been i'm
pressed with the painful convstion that ON,
so gifted in his profession was gradually
passing away. Possessing n quick. active anc
retentive mind. peculiarly adapted to the
comprehension of legal principles, With hab.
its of industry and a laudable ambition, he
accomplished position at the bar which any
of US may be proud to attain. We have beer
intimately acquainted with the deceased some
i twenty five years and well remember tn,
dignitied and impartial manner in which he
presided over the court; and we are pleased
also. to learn that, receiving timely admoni-
ton of his approaching fate, he wisely availed
himself of the opportunity afforded him to
prepare for his appearance at another bar. be-
fore an AHtciSe and merciful ,Judge, and that
he fell asleep with the comfortable assurance
that he had an advocate before the tribunal
vino would secure for him merciful judg-
mcnt--a happy Immortality beyond the tomb
Let us who survive him remember that in
youth, In mature manhood, as well as in ad-
Yanced age, we are alike subject to be sum-
moned before that tribunal-that neither
| learning nor wisdom can clude the summon
of death--and that we may he found with a
| like opportunity 10 prepare for our departure.
| The preamble and resolutions adopted by the
| bar will be entered upon the of the court, aud
| in respect TO the memory of the deceased this
court will now djourn,