Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-07-14
DEATH OF JUDGE RAY.


member, having been associated with
the DeSoto Lodge, the Cyrene Com
mandery, and the Knights Templar of
the city, Judge Ray died at seven
minutes after nine clock in the even
ing, on the seventh day of his illness.
Judge Ray was attacked while occu-
pying the bench in the Criminal
Courtroom Of the Shelby county
courthouse, on Monday last, and ad-
jOurning the court, he went home to
take his bed, never to rise again in
life. His sickness from the start baf-
fed the skill of our best physicians,
and in spite of the most careful and
watchful nursing on the part of nume-
rous friends, the death monster forced
him to succumb. 1t was on the third
morning of Judge Rays illness that
his medical adviser discovered the
case had developed into yellow fever,
his son Charles, boy Of u years, dy-
ing on that day of the same malady.
As soon as it was known that yellow
fever was really his ailment, every
possible exertion was made to carry
him through successfully, but without
avail Skilled nurses were engaged
by the Masonic fraternity to attend
his sick-room the wife Of the Rev.
DIR. Landrum, whose sad experience
has rendered her most accomplished
and tender nurse, participated in ad-
ministering to the stricken and dis
tressed family; Miss Mary Boddie took
part and shared in the bedside yigils,
while General G. W. Gordon and nu-
merous other friends, including his
fraternal brethren, gave unremitting
attention to the demands of the occa-
sion. Nothing was left undone, even
to calling in consulting physicians
Death had marked Judge Ray as his
victim, and for more than rty-eight
hours previous to his demise the case
was regarded as hopeless. His life
went out calmy and peacefully in the
presence of his sorrowing family and
others. A committee of the Masonic
fraternity at once took charge Of the
remains and during the night con-
veyed them to their final resting place
in Elmwood. Prudential reasons
caused the master Of his lodge to omit
calling the fraternity to the funeral, but
at the proper time Masonic honors will
be paid to his distinguished memory.
Judge Ray was native of Henry
county, Tennessee, and a. the time Of
his death was ffty-seven years Of
age. He resided for a period at Dres.
den, and represented Weakley county
in the State legislature for severa
terms. He came to this city in
1855, twenty-four years ago, and begar
the practice of law in company with
the late Judge w. i. Harris. Under
the first gubernatorial term of Ishan
G. Harris, Judge Ray was secretary o.
State. and in this capacity he acquit
ted himself of the delicate duties
involved with marked ability, winning
encomiums from all classes OF citizens
throughout the State. During thu
war he served in the Confederate
army, and at its close he resumed thu
practice of law in this city in compan!
with the late - Smith. In 1870 h,
became identified with the Bart
lett political movement, and wa
chosen as a candidate for the position
Of Judge of the Probate Court o
Shelby county, to which position h,
was elected by a decided majority
This position added largely to Judg
Rays distinction. The judge wa
known to the community as one o
the most conscientious and uprigh
Judges that ever wore the ermine. 4
man of mild temper, generous disposi
tion and extreme tenderness Of heart
at the same time firm and able in hi
opinions, he won an enviable reputa
ton in all circles. General regre
was openly expressed last fall whe
Judge Ray was defeated bya comb
nation Of the opposing elements c
the Democratic party, Of which h
was always a consistent and honore
member. In the race referred t
Judge Ray ran far ahead of his ticket
but the ground swell was too formid
able for even his great personal popu
larity to overcome. Judge Ray wa
subsequentlyappointed to the Crimini
Court bench by the then GOverno
James D. Porter, in place of Judg
P. T. Scruggs, who died Of yello'
fever in October last, position fC
which he was not an applicant. II
believed by some that the judge owe
his death t6 the foulodors arising Will
inthe wallsofthe Criminal Court ,adde
to the stencil without. The evil wi
often mentioned by Judge Ray an
was a source of constant annoyance
him, as well as others who are Gblige
to frequent the hall of justice, oyC
which he presided with so muc