Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-03-21

Present, DANFoRTH, Associate Justice.
The members OF the Bar, at a previous
meeting, had reported resolutions sppro'
pirate to the occasion and appointed ID. X
Hastings TO present them to the Court.
REMARKS OF D. r. HASTINGS.
Ngy &c Please ne Court.
Alta meeting OF the Oxford Bar, held on
the first day OF this term al their rooms TO
take action upon the death, during the
past vacation. Of Bro. Alvah Black, one OF
their most prominent members, certain
resolutions were unanimously adopted,
aud was charged with the duty Of pre-
seuting them TO the Court for such action
a. your Houor might be pleased TO order.
These resolutions are a. follows
RESOLUTIONS OF OXFORD RNE-
R4>1'r,F. that in the death Of Bro. Al
,lh Black. - long q member OF Oxford
Bar. aud President OF this Association al
,h- time OF his dcCcSSe. we have lost one
OF our most prominent members hi> learn
ius. honorable practice. purity OF charac-
ter. sni social qualities have distinguished
bis life aud houorcd his profession.
EsS1Jrsi that a. q tribute 20 his men,
orv, the oxford Bar Association officially
communicate his death - the honorable
Justice now presiding az the March Term
afthe supreme Judicial Court, and respect
fully pray him 20 order these resolutions
- be entered upon the record.
R.salr.I. that the Secretary OF the OK
ford Bar Association De instructed 10 for
ward an oiil-jal copy % these resolutions
90 the surviving widow and family Of our
deceased brother As 4 mark or our respect
and coincidence.
Bro. Black was born 10 Limiugton, in
York county. this State Dec. 5ri, ISL,
and 80 his deceaSe was 81 years Of sge.
His father was respectable farmer, with
little land but with a large family. Alvah
was tav youngest 90 seven children. Iu
early life he determined 20 get 3 good ed-
uc2:ilu. and tv the most persistent efforts.
by his OWL personal labor. aided 5y no one,
ly worked bis way through his academic
.al college lie. and then through q
,loro1.l ,sa.uiug .uto h.S chosen pro-
,,,>.oa. lie therefore came 20 the Bar
"a. au ace older than those who were not
obliged Ike him, 70 devote years to ob-
;l.r means 20 This end.
he lifted for college II Yarmouth Acad-
,ay under Proc Well, a noted teacher and
>,iu-u.,l,J srsmmar,su. In Li> lifting
D.->> were Rev Dr. Mason now OF Frye
i..- Hon John VI Goodwin OF Bijdeford,
Hon. Moses NJ. Butler la;c Of Portland,
suJ Rev l.. e. CummiuS> aud William
wills. sou OF our legal historian. \; the
close oC their preparatory studies, Prof.
Weld remarked that these Young men were
the bc>; dtted FOR college OF any students
ucuaJ ever sent out. The four Grst named
went % BowJoin, and Cummings aud VIII
IS 90 Harvard
Bro. Black Was an excellent classical
scholar. aud had great love for Latin and
trek His fitting in the lss, study was
Jouc iu one year and s. half aud done
thoroughly. lie entered college 10 1871,
sud or graduation IN l>i5 was awarded an
Grafton. being ranked Is one %; the best
scholars in lii class
Af,cr leaving college. he taught some
Time 10 Gorham Seminary. and At Cornish
yulsse and there .u The office OF Hon. Caleb
d. Aver he commenced his legal course OF
',vjy which he completed at Portland in
the office oftie ldtc Augustus HsiueS, ESQ
The same c3-eCs'. a>s.du0uS. thorough
mode of study characterized lis legal, tina,
hat Usrkel bis academic aud college
course, sui when sIu,,t,J % ;he Bar q;
Cumberland. April co,h. IS4S, .thirty-four
yesrs ago DE was most admirably lifted
for his new life. To thorough prelim-
mary education he bad added a complete
knowledge OF the elementary principles OF
the Jaw which distinguished him during
his long practice.
lie Immediately opened an Office al Cor.
ham, Maine, and remained there but shor;
time. Hon. Charles Andrews, who then
was one OF the leading members OF this
Bar-a brilliant advocate and man OF fine
social qualities and great personal pOpu-
lar.,y-had been elected 10 the National
House Of Representatives from this Dis
'r.c:, and with him, 8; bis invitation, IN
,54., Bro. Black associated himself 81 the
oouDty-Seat o; Oxford county for the gen
eral practice OF his profession.
His clssSmate, Judge Waterman, relates
how that invitation was received; He met
Bro. Black as he wss coming out OF the
Gorh4m post-ofice with al unopened letter
in his hand, wearing As be thought an IN
usually sober face, when Bro. Black held
up the letter and said, Waterman, have
Us; received this letter, it impreSses me,
an don't know why know il contains
matter Of importance 10 me; hardly dare
open u. I; contained Col. Andrews's
invitation 70 him 10 go 10 Paris, and into
professional cO-partnership. aud was the
first suggestion he had had Of such 3
move.
This Invitation was accepted, and Bro
BlscS Immediately moved 10 Paris, and
tl.s business relation continued till the
uu,.mely death Of the senior member quite
soon thereafter.
In I>J2 Bro. Black was married to the
widow OF his deceased partner, and lived
he.e til his death, Jan'y "a, lSS2. One
son, Charles A. Black, esq, and the az
nic;ed widow survive him. lie kept his
Office here till lS77, when he formed part
nership, al Norway. with Bro. Charles Z.
Holt which continued 10 his decease.