Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-15
MEMPHIS APPEAL
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1873
DEATH OF JUDGE l.. b. HoRRIeAN.


THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1873 |
DEATH OF JUDGE l.. b. HORRIGAN.
The Hon. L. B. Horrigan died at his rooms
at the Peabody Hotel, yesterday about l |
o'clock, adding another to that group OF
able public men and useful citizens who have
Of late been 60 rapidly called away. The
a announcement of his death gave the people
OF the city genuine shocs, "a the event was
unexpected. This surprise was followed by
cling of sincere grief, as Judge Horrigan
Was greatly beloved and respected by all. He
raised himself yesr by year, to an elevation
which made him a central figure in the
community. Judge Horrigan was sud
denly taken with pneumonia on Saturday
evening. The attack was violent from The
first. The deceased was born ia New
Haven, Conn, ia October, 1888, and was
therefore in the fory-6fth year OF his
age. When a small boy his parents re-
moved to Michigan, where he was
reared and educated. Four yesrs after
he had procured license and com
mencsd the practice oil law, war
was declared between the Stste', and
young Horrigan was among the first to enlist
az Federal soldier. He was gallant Off
Ger, and rem aimed at his post until the close
OF the contest. In 1865 he located in Mem
phis, and al once took high rank at the
bar. The mad passions born in war were
still cherished by the soldiers of both
armies, and it was not surprising that Judge
Horrigsn identified himself with The Re-
publican party. During The era of recon-
struction he wss nominated by the Republi-
cans and elected attorney general of the
Criminal Court OF Shelby county, and he
discharged the duties of the Office
with great ability, TO the salts
faction of the public and the terror
made himself conspicuous as criminal law
yer. Bullock, Sale and Yerger had gone
down 10 their graves, and Horrigsn took
their plects. He was most successful in the
de tense of criminals, ard Trey never failed
to secure his services. His practice was Luz
crative, and it is understood that when
he ascended to the bench in he had accu-
mulaled near $4,000. The death of the
Hon. J. E. r. Ray in 1879 made vacant the
Office Of Criminal Court judge, and with
singular unanimity the bar and the public
united in recommending L. B. HorrigaD, and
Gov Marks appointed him to the place. To
the meantime he had gradually drifted
into the Democratic party. Time had mel
lowed his war prejudices, and he exerted
himself TO promote kind feelings between
the sections and the races. He was nomin.
ated by the Democrats, and afterward by
the Republicans, as Criminal Court judge
in 1880, and SO efficient had been his admin
istration aud 60 great his effort to enforce
the law and to suppress lawlessness, 10 put
down vice and promote virtue and the
good of society, that he received the vote OF
both PARTIES. AS judge of the Criminal
Court he has made a national reputation.
The people of other States have held him up
as an example to be initiated by their own
Judges. Judge Horrigsn was the able law
yer, the model iurist. He wss terror to
the lawless, because he was memorable in the
discharge OF his duty. Conscieniiorsuesi
was the star that directed his footsteps. His
convictions of right and duty, when once
formed, were perlinaciously adhered to
and no opposition, however stub
born, corld overcome his heroic firm
nssq, nor could reproaches or APP
peals su6due his s.oical fidelity to law and
Justice. He was sublime in his 6rmness
With the fierce light of public scrutiny
shining upon his official career, he has gont
to his grave with spotless integrity and The
reputation of one of the ablest judges tina
ever adorned the bench. By his intim att
friends Judge Horrigan was most appreci
ated. 1t was not given to every one 10 sym
pathize with his gifted nature and sweet dis
position. But those who knew him best un
derstood the softer, shining qualities Of hi
warm and glowing heart. He was evel
modest, psiufu ly difident. His sensibilitie
were extreme, resulting in reserve anC
and delicacy that he could not shake of. l
was only in the warmth and unreservs o
familiar friends that this reserve and mod
esty melted into genial fellowship
Almost womanly soft in his inter
tercourse, when trencbed upon he wa
quick as lightning and hard as steel. Hi
moral courage was sublime. He was one o
that class of martyrs ever ready TO die for
principle. He would have sacrificed hi
blood ON the bench which he honored AM
elevated in the discharge of the law as b
INTERPRETED it. He would not dominate him
sell nor would he submit TO domination
Absorbed as he was in an active, busy LIE
and occupied by public csres, he was domef
tic in his feelings and habits. Home ws
indeed his home, his. refuge, his citadel. Hi
recreation was there. There he replume
his wings and strengthened himself for tn
discharge Of his duties. He had NJ children
but baking in the smiles of loving wifi
he had little paradise all his own. III
death of Judge Horrigan is deep and abiC
ing loss 10 the whole community. The ia,
paying people feel that they have lost the
tower of strength, and the social circle is d.
prived of an ornament. Yesterday the Sc
wants OF the Peabody Hotel in every d
putment wept over the death of the ma
thew had learned to love, which was an Ell
quent tribute to the gentleness OF his cha
acter. Our people will ever be tender
the memory L. B. Horrigan has left b
hind him. Almost before the rosy flush
promise had frightened into the new di
that was 10 record greater things for tn
man, this community and for the Rigt
there fell upon it the shadow Of that ecliP
which yesterday darkened into an etern
night. His heart and will were consecrat'
to grand purposes, but he was cut off in b
usefulness. Honor will encircle his memor
Strong voices will long falter in telling Il
touching story of the man who eighte'
years ago came to Memphis stranger, b
died incurred by united and loving peopl
ARE THE PEOPLE TO BE BE
TRAYED?
Ii is strange that men who are go puncti
Gus in their private transactions, faithful
the Observance OF their pledges, and mt
bidly loyal in complying with their promiI
In commercial transactions, should be rec
ant to their party pledges. 1t seems th
there are Bate Democrats and RUSSELL Dem