Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-07-17
ROHANTIC CAREER.
The Late JHdge McCunn-Frsn q Pen
ailess CsbiR-Boy to a Millionaire
Judge.

rom the New l0rk sun.
Judge McCunn was born in Coleraine,
IN the county Of Derry, Ireland, in 1925.
He received a fair education and became
impatient, while yet boy, Of the con-
fined sphere Of Irish peasant life. At the
age Of fourteen he ran away to Belfast,
and induced the captain Of ship bound
for the British provinces Of America to
receive him as cabin-bOy. He tossed
about for eight months, and was ship
wrecked twice, once on the New Jersey
coast. In the hardships consequent
upon the last shipwreck he had two OF
his fingers frOst-birten, necessitating
their amputatiOn.
McCunn found his way 70 New York
in lS4l, as rich as be left COleraine.
Charles 0'COnOF was at the time Il
member Of the firm of Benedict & Board
man, and in their Office young McCunn
found employment in the position Of
offlee boy. He rapidly developed a
proficiency that attracted the attention
Of his employers. BE WIS noted for the
determination with which he followed
up any one on whom he had been in
structed to serve papers. On one occa-
sion be spent two weeks in pursuing q
slippery customer to Canada, and thrust
the papers in his face while the fugitive
was enjoying secure nepOse IN Toronto
hotel or course the service was void.
On attaining his majority McCunn
was admitted to the bar, and shortly
afterward entered into q law partner
ship with the late ex-Judge Moncrief
In 1851 McCunn was nominated FOR
City Judge by Tammany Hall. He
was elected, aud at once retired nom
the ective practice of bis profession.
On the outbreak Of the war he raised a
regiment, the Thirty-seventh, known
as the "Irish Rifies.p He ioined the
army Of the Potomac, but soon after
ward resigned and returned home on
account Of q dispute with fellow OFF,
Ger.
In 1864 Judge McCunn was elected
20 the Superior Court for six years, de-
feating the present Police Commits
siOner BOswOrth. At the end Of his
term he was rejected by large ma
jority.
AT the time Of bis death Judge Me-
Cum was p0ssessed Of property valued
at from one million TO one million two
hundred thousand dollars. This was
founded on the handsome property
brought him by his wife, Miss Jennie
Warlng, and on subsequent successful
real estate speculatiOns. Judge McCUnn
was extremely sensitive 10 public opin-
lon, and dreaded unfavorable criticism.
The ability which raised him from the
position OF cabin-bOy to the Supreme
Bench was Of no common order, and
In the management Of bis large estate
be eyinced q prudence which showed
him to be possessed Of good business
qualities. Judge McCunn leaves a wife,
but no children, His mother resides Ia
Ireland, and was supported by the
Judge, who visited her once a year.
MT. Samuel Clemens Mark Twain
Is a journalist, and journalist Of abili-
~. One begins 70 wonder, however,
where he has been sehooled when he
reads that it Is Mr.. Clemens's idea that
/" the great trouble with editors Is sub
iects-the dresry lack Of them, L mean.
Given the subject and the work is done
there is no trouble 70 write 1t up.p The
newspaper man is not surprised when
he receives, as he frequently does, a
long, prOsy article from some innocent
outside contributor, who kindly sends
it 20 I'll up with, !" but he is surprised |
TO read such words from a felleW-jOurnal- !
Isl. We may not have quoted Mr. /
Clemens exactly, but we have given (
his thought substantially. To tell the !
world that st this day any editor who I
is at al fit for bis position ever lacks
subject matter for editorials IL the very
hight of absurdity. The trouble is, on /
the contrary, not the lack but the 1
Of matter which demands the I
journalists attention, and the waut oil
time to well consider and properly write /
up. The average journalist never sue /
eeeds In putting into writing one-half
the thoughts which suggest themselves I
to him. They die before they can be
OF use, and are succeeded BY others more
apEopOs and Of immediate interest
The divorce system Of England APP
pears 70 be quite as bad as that which
prevails In some Of our Western States.
" am assured. y writes Justin Mccarthy
T" BY lawyers who practic IN the divorce 1
court that there Is hardl Y a case comes /
up which Is not supported on one side
or the other by the perjury Of a string Of
and professional witnesses. |
In a single week there were three |
prOsecEtions for perjury, arising out
of three different cases, and In each case
a cluster Of male and female wretches /
were convicted and punished. Now
at last the dreadful fact is made known !
that a regular profession of perjury, like |
that which existed IN R0meis worst
dayt, has been created and fostered
amCng u by the peculiar temptations
and facilities which 0ur System Of DR.
vVss ofsaS.