The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-12-01
RECEIVED HIS MANDATE.
Death of William Penn de
Normandie, Clerk of the
Supreme Court, Aus
tin Brar l.
AFTER LiEe's FItfuI Fever. He sleeps
Well"

die had been u sufferer for many years
with asthma, the disease frequently in
capacltating him from attending to his
duties. Possessing wonderful constitu-
ton and an iron will, he soon rallied from
the facilitating effects of the asthmatic
attacks, and resumed his place ameng his
family and associates. How little they
thought, when, less than ten days ago he
was taken sick, that in so short time
hence they would be called upon to follow
him to the grave. lie died as he had
lived, peacefully, while around his bed
side were grouped his weeping children,
relatives and friends. To them the pangs
of distress over the loss OF him they loved
SO well were the more keenly felt, be-
cause his death was so unexpected. All
through the long hours OF the three days
and nights preceding his death, those
who watched and nursed him had built
hopes for mis- recovery upon what they
thought. each succeeding morn. was u
change for the better. On Sunday even
ing they felt, and so expressed them
selves, that he hal safely passed the dan
ger hne, aud that his recovery was only
the question of a short tine. But an ALI
wise Providence, In His Inscrutable ways,
had decreed otherwise the mandate from
the High Court above was issued and its
Judgment said, "Come." The sun which
on that sabbath evening illumined the
ierer's couch with bright hopes, rose the
next morning upon household of mourn
ing. Their friend hau passed away.
VIM. Il. deNurmandie was born in Yard
leyviile, Bucks county, Pa. Sept. 81, 1924,
SO at the time of his death, he was fifty
seven years, two months and eight days
old. lie was endowed with remarkable
natural talents, and his father bestowed
upon him high order OF education,
which SO eminently fitted him for the
battle OF lite before him. He first came
to Texas In 1916, during the Mexican
war, us a member of Humphrey Mar
shall's regiment of Kentucky volunteers,
and entered Mexico with that command.
lie was taken prisoner on the night be-
fore the battle of Buena Vista, and was
confined in Jail in the City OF Mexico.
lie, and six others, made their escape,
and by travelling entirely at night, max
ing forty aud fifty miles night, without
u guide or "A road, finally reached Vera
Cruz, and returned to the United States.
Maj or deNormandie returned to Texas,
to live In the winter of 1880, and
located in Austin. On the 18th of
February, 1854, at Schodack Landing,
New York, he was married to Miss Cath
crime 5. TenEyck. His wife died many
years ago, we believe In Philadelphia,
whittier she had gone for medical treat
ment for the malady which ultimately
terminated her life. Col. Ed. deNOr-
mandie. Miss Sarah den. Durham. wife
of Major w. b. Dunham), and Miss Mary
deNormandie, are the surviving children
of the deceased, all of this city.
Before the late war between the states,
Major deNormandle was elected mayor of
Austin, filling the office most creditably
for the full term. He was afterwards
clerk of the federal court under Judge
John G.. Watrous. In politics, he was
ha IN no m N
fortunate question ofsecession distracted
this country, he espoused the cause of
the Union, his oft.repeated sentiment be-
ing, 81 can never desert the old flag of my
country" While he could not take up
arms against his government, neither
would he enlist in any army to wage war
on his kindred and friends I'm the south,
the north and south, he went away from
Texas, aud remained absent, pursuing the
even tenor of his way, until that unhappy
struggle ended. He returned to Austin,
and Just after the war acted, for u
short time, as United States district
attorney. He was appointed postmaster
here. and served as such during the adj
next appointed clerk of the supreme
court, in December, 1869. which position
he h Id continuously until his demise.
How we'll he performed the duties of
that office let the bar of Texas say. The
breath OF neglect of duty has never been
uttered. We should have stated before,
that soon after the war, Major deNOr-
mandie and Hon. VIM. NJ. Walton enter
ed into partnership for the practice of
the law, and continued in that relation
several years.
In all the relations of iife-husband,
father, neighbor, friend aud an officer
he stood sans pear ct sans reProehe While
I'm questions of public moment he was
an Independent thinker and talker, ever
tenacious of his own opinions, he always
conceded to others the right which he
claimed for himself. His views were
broad and catholic. Bv his candor and
magnanimity he won friends and retained
then-and they are legion. With the
STATESMAN they will say, "A good man
has fallen"
Immediately after the opening OF the
district court of Travis county yesterday,
formal announcement was made 10 that
tribunal of the death OF Major deNorman-
die, who, Tor many years, had been Il
member of the Austin bar. Where1pon
the court, upon motion, appointed the
following members of the bar as a COM
mittee to draft suitable resolutions to be
presented to the meeting of the bar of
the city OF Austin, called to give express
sion to the sense OF the bar on the Oeca-
sion of the death of their late friend and
brother: w. Nj. Walton, John A. Green,
+. w. Chandler and N. G. Shelley. And
thereupon the court, out of respect to
the memory of the deceased, adjourned
until this morning at nine O'Clock.
MEETING OF THE BAR.
Subsequently, ut meeting OF the bar
of the city of Austin, called to give ex.
preston to their estimate of the life and
character of their late friend and
brother, Major w. p. deNormandle,
Judge Joseph Lee was selected as chair
man, and Alex Nj. Jackson, Jr., as seere-
tary
The committee selected by the district
court to draft.an submit TO the meeting
OF the bar suitable resolutions on the oc-
casion of the death OF Major deNOrman-
die, through w. NJ. Walton, its chairman,
submitted the following report and reso-
buttons:
ResolVed, That the sudden, yet not
wholly unexpected, death of our brother,
William y. deNormandie, on last night,
fills us with great sorrow, and calls forth
our deepest sympathies for his family.
Res0tged, That our associations for
many years with our brother have left
but the kindest remembrances. His ma
ture was gentle, generous and chival
rous in all the relations of life. AS the
incumbent of the office OF clerk of the SUI
preme court for long period OF time, he
was ever affable, polite and careful, hav-
ing the full confidence OF the court, and
the respect and esteem OF the BAR
ResOlped, That in his death the state
has lost an upright citizen and faith
ful officer, society genial member, his
family fond and aneetionate protector,
and his companions devoted friend.
ResOlred, That the foregoing resolutions
be presented to the supreme court of
Texas, now In session Mt Tyler, with the
request that they be spread upon the
minutes OF said court, and that the secre-
tary Of this meeting do also furnish a
copy of the same TO the family of the de-
ceased.
10 is requested that Jno. b. Costa, A. NJ.
Jackson, sr., Thos. Il. Sneed, N. q. Shell
ley, +. W. Chandler and Joseph Lee,
Esqr's, act as pall-bearers.
IL Is requested that the members of the
bar will attend the funeral OF our deceas-
ed brother In body.
W. NJ. WALTON,
JNo. A. GREEN,
Il. W. CHANDLER,
NC SHELLEY,
The report was unanimously adopted.
The chairman, upon motion, appointed
Major W. NJ. Walton to present the fore
going resolutions 10 the honorable, the
district court OF Travis county, Texas,
and request that they be spread upon the
minutes OF said court; and also appoint
ed Hon. A. w. Terrell TO present the
same to the honorable, the United States
district and circuit courts, for the western
district OF Texas, at their next session at
Austin, and request that they be spread