Arizona citizen., 1878-05-03
Something of the Life of Coles
 Bashford.

it is right and fit that some review of his life be made Too late for remarks of consequence thereon last week, Eve were adviced of the sudden death (by heart disease) of Hon Coles Bashford. He was chiefly knoxn 10 us as a pab- lie man. Careful inquiry enables us to recount the leading points in his public, and some features of his pri- vate life,
 Coles Bashford was born in the small town of Cold Springs, State of New York, in 1916. His early ad. vantages were about those of the aver age country youth of his day sand place. His early and rapid advance meut in public affairs, was due to his natural ability and indefatigable ap- plication to study, and in fact to what ever he undertook to accomplish. He read law, and at about his smajority, became noted in his profession. He was elected district attorney of his district which then s.contained far more inhabitants than Arizona now, and many distinguished lawyers. He carried cases, as prosecuting3 officer, to the State Supreme Court, and his conduct Of them was complimented by Wm. IT. Seward and other equally eminent lawyers. His first office, how ever, was that of notary public At an early age he emigrated to Winconsin; {; at that time in: :the far west. He then determined to avoid public office, but his recognized ability as a man and lawyer, induced the people to elect and re-elect him State Senator, in which capacity he exhibited his talents SO as 10 be immediately Thereafter nominated and elected Governor of that important State, an office he ably filled for the term for which he was chosen. In 1863, his westward disposi- ton led him to Arizona. He came here as citizen to take his place and chances with others in the organiza tion and building up of the new Territory. Governor Goodwin finding that the laws of New Mexico must govern here until a legislatures con- vened and enacted others for Ari- zona, recognized the want of an able comcelor, and so appointed Gov. Bash ford Attorney General. As such he was the legal adviser of the Territorial officers, and prosecutor of all cases on behalf of the Territory, and at that time the Territory was but one judi cial district, and he of course had all criminal business in the higher courts in charge He was the first lawyer admitted 10 practice in an Arizona court; his admissionsoccuring in May, 1861, in Tucson. He was then. as we believe he was to the day of his death, garded the ablest lawyer, and most 0N -hle counsel in the Territory, and
 eneraliy consulted or took an ac-
 art in the more important cases
 district and Supreme Courts.
 twice elected to the Territorial
 sil; was chairman of the judi
 committee, and the records show
 his share in framing a system of
 s for the Territory of his future
 me, exceeded that of any other
 ember In this connection it may sroperly be said that in 1871, the legis Ature chose him to compile the va ous session laws in one volume
 Us difficult duty was performed with Pctness and intelligent regard for
 evcnlent reference. He was chosen
 egaie in September, 1866, served
 ugh one Congress, and ever after ined to be candidate for the of \ In 1869, he was appointed Ter irial Secretary, and reappointed in 1eS;, and resigned late in 1875, but was not relieved by the arrival of a successor until July 8, 1876. His rap. idly increasing business demanded his whole attention. He often said in later years, that he was tired of the vexa- tions inseparable from public life. In attending to his public business in the early days when the hostile Apaches were active in three-fourths of the Ter. ritory, he took risks and endured hard ships, which, If truly related, would seem incredible to majority of our citizens today
 Some years ago, he permanently located his family in Prescott, where his largest interests were. He had strong hope for many more years of a quiet, happy and prosperous life, and his apparent health seemed to justify hls hope. We are informed by those who saw him Q few days prior to his death that he looked sp.endidly, and never appeared more hopeful and cheerful. He was a good friend to- his deserving acquaintances. He often repeated that remarkable advice of Polonirs to his son Lcertes, dwelling upon these liDes:
 The friends thou hast and their adoption
 tried5
 Grapplc|Shem to thy soul with hooks of a-s,--.S.eel."
 His mind was richly stored with past and current history and literature. His taste and judgment for the fine