The National tribune., 1883-08-23
DEATHS SHINING MARK.
Death of the Great Lawyer. Jeremiah S. Black. Of
York. Pa.


Judge jeremiah s. Black died at his resi-
dence, "Brackie,n near York, Pa, at ten min.
utes past two o'clock Sunday morning IN his
seventy fourth year. The illness which cul-
minated in his death began about week ago.
Operations for structure Of the urinary organS
were performed Monday, Tuesday, and
Wednesday Tor the purpose of affording tenn
porary relief and the final operation On Thurs
day morning. Notwithstanding the favorable
bulletins In regard TO his condition, it was the
opinion of those best qualified to know that be
could not survive. The direct cause of his
death was tax8mia, a poisonous condition of
the blood, caused by absorption OF retained
urinary constituents prior TO the final opera
ton. he -sas conscious 10 within few mo-
lnents Of his death, and passed away without a
struggle. Mrs. Judge Black, Lieutenaut-ooy-
ernor and Mrs Black, Mr.. Henry Black, of
Franklin county, Air. aud Mrs. Horasby, A. B.
Earguhar and DR.. Meisenhelder were with him
at the time OF his death.
Shortly before Judge Black died he said to
his wife: How / can fear to cross the dark
river when my father waits for me on the other
Shore and added, Would I were as comfort
able about ali 1 leave behind unfinished in this
world, and then breathed the following earnest
prayer: Oh, Thou beloved and most raerciful
heavenly father, from whom I had my heing,
ana in whom l have ever trusted if is be Thy
vi, grant that my suffering end, and that /
speedily be called home to Thee And o, my
Ged. bless and comfort Thee, my Mary.
Judge Black was born in the Glades, Son.
erset county, Pa, on the 10th of January,
1910. He was therefore IN the seventy-fourth
year of his age at the time of his death. He
was admitted TO the bar in 1880, and, while
following his profession, took an active part in
thestOrmy politics OF those days, when the name
of jackson was the rallying cry of Demo-
cratic politicians and Judge Black was a Demo-
/ eynf 6FfeFlao WIN of Of
sturdiest jefferson and Jaeksonian type. In
1872 he was appointed presiding judge of the
court of the district in which he resided and
in 1852 was elected judge of the supreme court
of his State and chosen chief justice, being re-
elected TO the same high position liz 1854. On
March 5, 1857, the day after Mr. Buchanan took
hls seat as President, he appointed Judge Black
Acknowledgement of the United States. and
three years later, during the stormy period
that preceded the outbreak of our civil war, he
held the portfolio of Secretary of State contin-
uing in that position until President Buchan-
ans term OF office expired, on the 4th Of March,
! ISL
| Judge Black was in 1873, elected member
Of the Pennsylvania constitutional convention
| on the Democratic ticket Of delegates-at-large
| Professional engagements compelled him to
resign his seat before the convention finally
adjourned.
Since then Judge Black has not held Office.
but, until recently, was more or less actively
engaged IN the practice of his profession. He
argued many cases before the Supreme Court
of the United States, where his legal ability was
| held IN very high esteem. Although he did not
during this period Of his Efs enter actively into
| politics, yet, as a writer ON current political
topics, and especially as a controversialist, he
| had no superior.
Judge Black was about five feet eleven inches
| III height, with shaggy gray eyebrows that in
cfar s.af
sion, which was quickly melted away n the
humorous twinkle Of his eyes or as the ANNA.
ton or expression stole over his 9ace which
i had never worn a beard. He was of ruady.
healthy complexion, strong bodily frame and
erect carriage, In 1868, while going TO Calves
/ ton, Texas, in company with some other law
| yers and Justice Swayne, to argue railroad
case, a wood car that had slipped from its place
| on the siding of a Kentucky railroad, bumped
/ against the side Of the passing car, in which
! his right hand was lying on an open window.
he was very severely injured, and after care
| full nursing at Louisville, during which he was
4 the object of much solicitudc and attention
from the citizens the arIn was saved from am
patation at the expense of its future useful
mess. When he was told that he would never
! use that arm, his characteristic reply was
> Then u never enter the prize-ring" For
| time owing to this disability, he travelled with
a colOred body-seryant but he grew irunatien+
a. otl~AA tIySi4ACAASST hUulAH De u6peuu-
ent on any fellow TO shave aud write" SO In a
few weeks by persistent efforts and will-power.
he learned to shave himself with his left hand
and 10 write clear, beautiful back-hand.
Cut OF respect to Judge Blacks memory the
| Departments OF State and Justice were draped
in mourning and closed on the day of the fu-
neral-Iuesday. The Pennsylvania Legisia-
| ture on Monday passed concurrent resolution
appointing q committee of twelye-six from
each brauch--to attend the funeral of the late
Jndge jeremiah Black at York.