The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-07-07
CHARLES O'CONOR.
Extraordinary Career of Americas
Great Lawyer.
New York Cor. Cincinnati Gazette.

New York Cor. Cincinnati Gazette.
An interesting man whom l occasionally
meet on Broadway is Charles O'Conor. He
has for many years stood at the head Of
the New York bar, and in some points has
never had a rival. His father was an Irish
refugee, and as he came hither poor, his son
was Obliged to make bis own way in the
world. He worked his way through many
difficulties to the bar, where his talents were
at once acknowledged. From that time
until the present his life has been an unbroken
success. Amidst the vast range OF his legal
practice three cases may be mentioned as
having special interest. These are the For
rest divorce, the Jumel land case, and the
defense of the parricide Walworth.
RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE.
Thirty years have elapsed since the Forrest
domestic troubles resulted in the most exclt-
ing divorce case ever known in America.
The great tragedian, who was of q Jealous
disposition, had for some years been estrang-
ed from his wife, whom he accused of impro'
per intimacy with N p. Willis and other
men of similar character. His own life, how
ever, had been so irregular that 1t was open
to attack, and hence his action for divorce
was exceedingly ill-advised. Forrest how
ever, being under the full power of the
passions, was determined to make the
attempt. He was suffering the bit
terness of disappointment Having
built castle on the banks of the Hudson, in
lonely and gloomy spot he soon became
weary of his solitude, and removed to this
city. His wife was Of gay and social turn,
and often had company at her house, where
Willis was frequent and welcome guest.
These convivial scenes were made the basis
of the action which was conducted by John
Van Buren,. The defense was a masterpiece
Of legal warfare. The case was pro-
longed for month, during which
both lawyers were under the
greatest effort. O'Conor surprised even
his admirers by his untiripg energy and
adroit management. The defense soon
changed into an attack, and Forrest found
himself on trial instead of his wife. His
character was exposed in all its vileness by
the testimony of his own associates, and Tom
Hsmblin left the city to escape subpoena.
The verdict was in favor of Mrs. Forrest,
whose alimony was fixed at $4,000 year.
The sragenian made every effort afforded
by the laws deley. Hhe prolonged the fight
twelve years, and was beaten at every
step until the finale was reached, by
which time he had paid $4,000 in costs
alone. To make matters worse he assaulted
Willis in public and was mulcted $500 and
costs. This was the best days work Willis
ever had. Not one of his books, indeed,
ever brought him as much as q half dozen
cuts of the tragedian's rawhide
[ cannot give the details OF this famous
action, which in its various stages, demanded
every phase of legal ability. O'Conor was
retained by Nelson Chase, who was at one
time plaintiff and at another was defendant
In either of these positions, and through
nearly half-dozen actions, he was equally
successful. The first process was a suit to
contest Madame Jumels will, which was ad.
verse to Chase, whom the madame indeed
thoroughly detested. The plea was insanity,
which, though utterly absurd, was
in O'Ccnors hands successful. The
last was defending an ejectment suit
brought by Madame JumePs illegitimate son
Ia native of Rhode Island), who under our
law could bring such claim. There could
be no reasonable doubt of the recttude OF
the claim, and the case was fought with an
enemy worthy of the property at stake, when
was worth three millions After a trial,
which lasted three months, OConor, as usual,
succeeded The Jumel case is the most inn
portant action of the kind ever known in this
country, and it is probable that O'Conor's
fees were not less than quarter million.
wALwoRTH.
The third extraordinary case in which
O'Conor has borne an important part was
that of the parricide Walworth. As | have
recently referred to this in some detail, il
need not be repeated. | may add, however
that O'Conor was led to espouse the defense
of the unfortunate young man by his long
and intimate acquaintance with the grand
father of the latter-the late Chancellor
Walworth. The tragedy was sufficiently APP
pslling in itself, but the horror was intensi
fed by the social and professional distinc
ton Of the family which had been thus
polluted by parricidal blood. OConor was
so interested in the case that he attended the
coroner's inquest as volunteer counsel.
was present on that occasion, and was struck
with the keen observation of the veteran at
torney, IS we'll as his courtesy. He saw that
1 (scting as member of the press) was
writing under difficulties, and he at once re-
uuestsd that better Accommodations be offered
me. This at once indicated that politenes'
which forms one of the striking features O.
hio chor nto