Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-20
THE MEMORIAL
And Resolutions Prepared by the Mem.
phis Bar on the Death Of Judge
L. B. HOrrigan.
A Beautiful Address by Judge John z.
Elippin-Remarks by aessrs.
Gillian and Douglass.

Yesterday morning there was meeting Of
the bar 10 the Circuit Court room to hear
the resolutions aud memorial on the death
OF Judge L. z. Horrigan. The meeting wac
largely attended and great interest was mani
tested in The proceedings. Several eulogies
on the late judge were pronounced by those
whose aCqualuIarce with him made them
competent to speak.
Ire meeting we called to order by Judge
Z S. Hammond, VINO called upon the Com
mi,lee on Resolutions for its report.
Judge J. w. Clspp read the resolutions,
which were as follows:
The committee appointed at a meeting of the
Bar OF Memphis to prepare and report e memorial
aud resolutions relative to the life and death OF
following:
Rarely does an event occur producing so acute
and painful sense of special as well as general
death, the l4th instant, OF the Hon. L. B. Hor-
rigan, judge OF the Criminal Court of shelby
cOunty-sn event that enshrouds our entire COM
manity In the gloom oil common sorrow, one
that the legal profession throughout the Slate will
deplore as loss Of no common significance. The
limits OF the brief memorial which is expected of
this committee will admit only OF very incom-
plete biogrsp hical notice OF the deceased.
Lawrence B. Horrgan was native OF New
Haven, Conn; born October 16, 1893. In his early
boyhood his parents removed to the State of
Michigan, where they soon after died, leaving him
TO swell the list Of that galaxy of men who by
their invincible energy have surmounted the bar
riers cast in their path by poverty snd other oD-
posing obstacles, ana achieved brilliant success
in life. In 1861 ne became member of the legal
profession as q graduate of the law department of
the Michigan University, and very soon thereaf.
ter, the war between the States being fragrant, he
enlisted in the Northern army as a member Of the
Second Regiment of Michigan infantry, and
during the pending Of hostilities performed with
such fidelity the duties of a soldier to secure
his promotion 10 the rank of captain. which he
held at the close of the war. In ls66 he became a
resident of Memphis, and embarked in his pro-
feSsion as a lawyer, devotng himself specially to
the criminal law which he mastered to such an
extent that at the time of his death, 1t is dis
para cement TO others to say that he was peril APPS
peer in Tennessee, and his reputation
had reached far beyond the limits of the State.
In 1867 as the nominee of the Republican party,
Court of Shelby county, and held the office until
J une 1870 when he voluntarily retired and very
soon acquired large and lucrative practice as the
leading criminal lawyer at a bar conspicuous for
the number and ability of its members. In Au-
gust, 1879, he was, upon the unanimous recon-
of the emphis bar, appointed by Gov.
Marks to fill the vacancy on the Criminal Court
berch, occasioned by the death of Judge j. Z. r.
Ray, and in 1850, the nominee of both the Demo-
this office by a majority vote approximating una
nimity, and was an monument of the ofice at
the time OF his death.
Coming AMONG us, as he did not only as youth
and a stranger, but obnoxious TO all the preudices
entertained by tn Southern people
against their victorious invaders the record of his
successful life and lamented death is the highest
possible testimonial of his pre-eminent worth
Assum ng the office and duties OF attorney-gen
eral at a time when the Generalization resulting
from the war was general, when crime OF every
grade was rampant in our midst, and life and
irmness and signal ability INDICATED the majesty
of the law and compelled Its yiolators to yield ODE
dience 10 its mandates or seeE safety IN fight, and
very soon the people among whom he haa cast his
lot, with their pToveTbial generosity and magma
nimity, became oblivioqs as to his place of natv-
haiF a
AS an advocate, while IL may be that he exhib-
tied none of the scintillatone OF gen us graces
OF rhetoric, he was distinguished for masculine
vigor of intellect and earnestness and sincerity OF
purpose that wrought conviction in the minds of
his hearers. No higher proof OF the general con-
fldence and regard in which he was held could be
given than was afforded by his election to tine
bench, above referred to, by the combined vote of
the two great political parties, which occurred not
only Without his solicitation but against his
known inclination-a rare and veritaple instance
Of The office set king the man. His unblemisbed
judicial record affords am pie evidence that this
was not misplaced. To say that, sub
ected he was to the manifold and peculiar yex-
atoms of his official life he betrayed no weakness
and committed no error, would be to exempt him
from the railtes and infirmities insepaTable from
humanity; but 1t Is certainly no overstrained en-
comium to pTououpce him model judge. Never
did the judicial ermins grace more consci
entious, honest, laboriOus and fearless occupant
Of the bench. II he had aspirations outside OF his
official station, he never betrayed them. To the
arts of the demagogue and popularity hunter he
seemed to be total stranger His personal friend
gTi6V2OCeb
ance of his official duties and in his rulings the
integrity of the Judge triumphed over
alt the disturbing elements of psrtialty prejudice
and passion. Cautious, cireumspect and learned
in reaching conclusion, he was immovable in
it, and II Was only in the rarest in
stsnses that his judgments were reversed by the
pie of this community declare that to him more
han to any other man-to his WISE just and in
aexible enforcement of the penal laws-are they
indebted for the suppression OF violence and
,rime and for the security OF person and property
hey enjoy.
AS man he was distinguished for his modest
quiet department and unobtrusive habits. To
natural timidity and reserve WAS liable to be mis-
AIKEN for lack of sociability, and upon the bench
lis manner savored at times of sternness and aus
erity, but those who enjoyed his intimacy can
estiiy that within his bosom was u heart sensi.
lively alive TO every kindly impulse a disposition
and gentle as that of woman
In 1870 he was united in marriage to Miss Addie
Walker, of Michigan, and while we forbear to lift
he veil that hides from the outer world the sane
itY OF domestic lie, we may remark that this
ady, who lives to mourn her great bereavement,
was until they wer eseparated by death the object
Of his devoted affection, as she now is of the ten
ieTest sympathies of the people among whom he
lived and died.
We here close this meager and imperfect sketch
1t one whose private and public life were alike
for the virtues that adorn and en-
noble human character, who stamped the impress
Of his individually upon public opinion, and
who has left 10 his successor in Office whoever he
may be, an example worthy of reverent imitation,
and taught the lesson deserving OF remembrance,
that the people do not al says bindly bestow their
favOrs and confidence, but are capable of wise
of character and Just spprecia-
ton OF public services that confer great and endur
ing public benefits.
10 u.s. as his professional brethren, and especi
ally to the younger members of the bar he left an
legacy. Falling he did at the post
of duty with his official armor on, though his sun
went down ere 1t reached its meridian hight, it
was obscured by ne cloud and left horizon
ruddy with the effulgence OF its DEPART g glory.
All that remains TO US now is to pay tribute to his
IN o q r fpar q
the tide of public grief that will bedew the grave
of one who was admired and houored as the able
lawyer the firm and upright judge, the pure man
and the patriotic citizen.
AS expressive of the sense OF the Memphis bar,
the committee report the following re solutions,
and recommend their adoption:
ReSOlred, That in the sudden and unexpected
death OF the Hon. L. B. Horrigan, judge of the
Criminal Court of Shelby county, the State has
the legal profession member that reflected luster
upon the bench and the bar, the community one of
It's most useful and valued citizens, and society
feels that one of it's strong pillars has fallen.
and sorrowing relatives OF The deceased the assr-
snee of our profoundest sympathy and condol-
ence upon an event that is TO Them private grief
and to the public grave calamity.
Resolved That the SECRETARY OF this meeting be
instructed to furnish copy of its proceedings to
Mrs. Horrigan, and to request the publication
thereof in the city press.
ReSolUed, That the chairman of this meeting ap
point N embers OF this bar to announce the death
of Judge Horrigan to the various courts held with
in the city, and the Supreme Court at Jackson
and request that these proceedings or at leest q
copy OF these resolutions, be spread upon their
minutes. L. 2. COOPER,
Nv. CLAPP,
S. p. WALKER,
A. WRIGHT,
G. p. NJ. TURNER.