The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-07-20

His Death Last Night--Sketosa al
Has Life.


HIS Life.
At twenty-six minutes past 6 o'oIeck
last night George Ellis Pugh breathed his
last. His death was not unexpected,
as he had been attacked weeks since ~
a threatening case Of paralysis. Thus
the life-work Of one Of the ablest ul
Ohio's sons is ended at the compare
lively early age Of fifty-four years. Ha
leaves three children This wife, Whose
maiden name was Theresa Fraaoes
Chalfant, having died some. years exS1
to mourn his departure. q.
DIR. Pugh was born in this city NovesuS
Der 2s, 1922. He graduated at Miami Unk.
vsrsity in 1S4O, and embraced the pro.
fession of the law. He was Captain la :
the Fourth Regiment OF Ohio yoiunkesfS
In the Mexican war; Reprsse atatiys IA
the Legislature in 1S48 and 40: was an.
pointed City Solicitor Of this cItV n
1850; was Attorney General OF the Statn
In 1851, and elected Senator in Coa-
gress from March 4, 1855, for six yesxa.
and was appointed meMber Of fAs
Committees on Public Lands and on the
judiciary.
In 1850 he was candidate for re-eleu-
tton, but was then defeated in turn hv
Mr.. Chase. Mr.. Pugh was chosen hea1
OF the OHIO delegates to the Charlestont :
Convention In 1850, where he took Q Ter@..
prominent part, and made q speeuh
which was considered the finest oratsrsl
ical effort OF his life. On this oooHsicA'
he voted for all Of Jefferson Davis resu.
lutlons but one. Afterward he secande6
John j. Crittenden's compromise mess.
ures In the Senate, advocating them in
an eloquent speech, which ranked nexk
to the one made at Charleston. Duriar
the war Of secession Mr.. Pugh defendssk
Clement L. Vailandigham ON his tyisa.
and made application for the writ Sf
habeas corpus In his case. In the Dsms.
cratic State Convention OF 1863, de
largest ever held in Ohio, he was stza
champion OF tree speech and a free presa,
He was. at that Convention, nominats6
tor Lieutenant Governor OF the stats.
and at first declined the candidacy, bnS
recognizing his defeat certain, he xsa
simply to carry the flag of hIs party. Il
In 1864 he was nominated at the haaa
OF the Democratic electoral ticket II
Ohio, but declined 10 serve. In the samn
year be was nominated for Congress.
but was defeated by Benjamin EyelesI
ton. In 1873 he was elected member sE
the State Constitutional Convention, bat
subsequently withdrew. After the data,
last mentioned Mr.. Pugh retired from
politics, and devoted himself entirely 10
his profession. The practice OF law iyaA
his favorite theater Of action, and fs@
men ever appeared in any Court q
greater advantage. A born lawyer anG
advocate, careful study only developed,
his natural qualifications. In all pre-''
liminary matter he always prepared hte~
self with admirable method and prG,
cisiOn. His alertness was such thaf 10
could almost divine the course Of bse
adversary before he had spoken. anzl
his answer seemed to present itset3
spontaneously.
Quoting from decision, he always
knew the very page and paragraph, and
read no more than what applied 70 hia
No one SO seldom damaged
his case By erroneous ideas OF the appak
cation Of authorities, and he Instantly
perceived his advantage over an adysf.
sary who had blundered in that respecA
His reasoning was logical and lumiHsua
and his criticisms and replies were falt
OF caustio and courtesy. His appeals q
reason, passion and sentiment were 1FA
propriate, torcible, and efsctual. lie
was oopious, but not tedious, and, afAse
perfectly dsvelop,,ng his argument e
made il bis habit TO close before losia3
his own intensity or the attention Of "a
Judge and jury. Mr.. Pugh's written
briefs were models In that line Of cos.
position. As public speaker he hna
great ability, though he was more sas-
,essiul IN the open air (0n tho stumpa
nan in the senate. He commanded 80
;rowd, and established a. once farsa
'ble relation with II. Ms speeches wsxT
sell-lnformed, easnest, atisspsivs. aszN
powerful. - ~
The intelligence Of the death C. e
nan In this city will be learned w1rk
pore regret TAR aua ~a'.s than THAI q
aeorge Ellis Pugh.