The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-12
DEATH OF CHARLES M. CONRAD.


On Friday lost. In the presentation Of TIL
important case of the United States VS.. Bel
loco, Nobloln n Co. among other witnesse
Tint respected and distinguished ctizo
Charles M. Conrad WINS summoned Mr. Con
rad was present when his name was called
and took the stand rs q witness and proceeds
to give his evidence He had not proceedo'
far before It became evident that the vene
rable gentleman was suffering from
exhaustion and debility, and at TIL
suggestion OF tho attorneys he wa
conducted into the judges chamber
where he reclined on o lounge A physician
was scnt for. who decided that he was suffer
ing from paralysis and must be removed
home. Taken to the residence Of his son, II
the Fourth District he was attended by sew
eral distinguished physicians. who pronounced
his case US ono Of paralysis, from which, OF
account of his great age. there was little hope
of his recovery.
Yesterday morning. the eleventh Of Febru
airy. he departed this life Mt the advanced age
of II.
Louisiana loses an eminent citizen, patriot
and faithful public servant in the death Of
Charles Magill Conrad The bar also loses a
veteran member who for forty years has stood
prominent among its ablest members. He
had survived nearly NIL his contemporaries,
and rivals In the profession to which he was
always warmly attached, and which he had
served with such great SUCCESS and dis
tinction; even after the great losses Of the
war, and with the pressure of years and
\ feeble health he continued to the very last to
prosecute Its duties with tho zeal and ardor
which characterized his curly career In the
profession. #aa.
Charles NJ. Conrad was born In Frederick
county. Virginia. His father was Of that
sturdy German race who settled moro
than u hundred years ago the beautiful
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and have done
SO much to cultivate and develop that beauti-
rul country. When quite a boy, he came to
this State where u sister had previously mar
ried u planter, and resided In the Teche coun-
try. Sent to school in this city. he was a
pupil Of DR.. Hull, the founder of the first Eng
fish school in this city, where he WAS the class-
mate Of others who afterwards became promi-
nent In the history of our city, and Of whom
there arc few survivors. Among these, how
ever, we may mention Gen. John L.. Lewis, J
l.. Lavilebeuvrc, w. G. G. Claiborne. who. we
are happy to say, still live, venerated and
beloved by tho whole community. Charles
NJ. Conrad was regarded by his associates
asa young man OF the first order Of talents and
,,,.,...,,, ..."',te and of marked promise, He
was especially distinguished as a ready
speaker, student and young man Of great
ambition. From Dr. Hull's school he passed
into the law office of Mr.. Abner L. Duncan,
one of The most successful and prominent law
vers az the State. After a thorough course Of
law studies he embarked In the practice OF the
profession as junior partner OF Gen.
Ripley, who, having resigned n high position
In the army after the war OF 1912, settled
here and engaged in the practice Of
law The firm of Ripley & Ctnra l
continued for several yw.rs, until Gen,
Riplcv removed to the Felicianas, embarked
in politics and was elected to Congress
from that district. Mr.. Conrad pursued his
profession in this city, and soon secured a
large and lucrative practice. It was impossi-
BILE, however, to restrain his natural ardor and
ambition within the strict lines of professional
duty and business. He was soon attracted to
the political arena, and engaged warmly in
the cam paigns OF that era, first as supporter
OF jackson, but separating froma the party OF
which Jackson became the chief on the bank
question lie cspoused the Wig cause and
became one OF the most honored and efficient
Chiefs of thato party, to which he was
warmly attached until the great seces.
sion movement engulfed that and all other
political parties, and united all the sons
of Louisiana in the defense OF their State
In that great contest Louisiana had NJ
truer or drawer son than Charles NJ. Conrad
He had previously held high positions in tht
Federal and State governments. As member
OF the Legislature and Of the State Conven
tons he had always shown the highest
= ability and the most sturdy patriotism anoSln
to rrityS. Elected to the House OF Representa-
tiyes from the Second Congressional District
of this State, he sustained his high reputation
for ability, industry and consistency in the
national councils From the House OF Repre-
sentatives he passed into the Senate, where
he worthily represented our State and dis
played his high powers as statesman, de-
batter and legislator. o
On the accession of Gen. Taylor to the presi-
dency Mr. Conrad was appointed Secretary o.
War, aud held this office during the admlnls-