New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-24
OBII UARY.
RICHARD L. MERRICK.

WASHINGTON, June 23.-Richard T. Merrick died
this morning. at 1915 o'clock, of congestion Of the
BRAIN at his residence in this city. e unconscious
for several days before his DEATH His eldest daughter
was the only member of his immediate family present
at his death-bed Mrs Merrick is very ILL., and not
aware of the critical illness of her husband, her
physicians deemed it nadysable to inform her. Last
night there signs OF improvement in Mr. Merricks
condition, but the apparent rally Of his physical powers
was of short duration. About q quarter to o'clock
this morning il observed that he sinking, and
then all hope abandoned. About o'clock he
scened to rally again, but the hope that the change
inspired was deiusye In q few moments he began to
sink again. and the decline continued until death lol-
lowed. lie passed away quietly, without resainDg
consciousness. Mr.. MerIck was a member OF tho
Catholic Church, and during his illness the Rev. John
D. Murphy >. D., oil st. Aloysus Church, an old friend,
was pre.ent great portion OF tho time The funeral
will take place on Thursday, from st. Matthews
Church.
In the Court in General Term Judges Hagncr and
james, this morning, A. u. Riddle announced the
death of Mr. Merrck and suggested that the court adj
joun. Judge hagner said that the members OF the
aourt well the members OF the bar were grioved
TO hear that Mr. MCrrick dead. The announcement
came to him with peculiar iorce Tor he had known ar
hcrnch probably longer than other members OF the
court or bar. The court thereupon adjourned. Mr.
Riddle informed the Equity Court OF the death oil Mr..
Merrck. aud Judge Cox at ad burned that court
In tue criminal Court, about noon, Mr.. '" A. Gopk
announced the death OF Mr.. Merrick. and moved the
adjournment OF the court The judge said that he had
known Mr.. MeIrck long and well. His wonderful
power and perular fascination and persuasive powers
ad vocate in many celebrated trials. mt citing
OF the liar OF the District has been called for p. M
20 morrow in the Circuit Court room to take action
expressive of the regret of the bar at the loss OF one OF
its most brilliant, successful and genial members
Mr. Mcrick was born in Charles County, Nd, in
1928 but he passed the greater part Of his life in
Washington. lie came from a well-knOwn Maryland
family. lis father William d. Merrick having served
in the United States Sela'e from 1888 to 1S45. When
The War with Mexico broke out Mr. Merrick al
though OF age raised company and under bis CON-
mand it did gallant serNi ice during the war. Alter the
conclusion Of his services in the field he began the
practice of law aud also to the State Legs
iatule Shortly ieiore the late lac went to Chicago
aud formed law cOpartnersbip with personal mend
who was "a leading member Of the bar Of that city lie
delegate from liiinOi, 10 the Democratic National
Convention OF 1850. and supported stephen a.
Douglas. In 1854 Mr.. Merrick married daughter OF
James g. Mcclure. Of tins city. and shortly afterward
removed from Chicago 90 Washington. lie became
prominent u counsel Tor the defence the calculated
trial Of John IL. Srrrait. IN which no was associated
with the Bradleys and IN the twenty years that lie
had practscd Law IN Washington he bad held All emf
place Mt the bar ard had been engaged IA counsel
Of The most important cases before the benoh OF
the district of Columbia well AS the supreme Court
OF the United states Ho one Of the principal
counsel before the Electoral COmmisson aud recently
was Tor months daily before the public IN his prosecu-
lion ol the star Route cases Mr. Merlok was also ire
qucnt applied to o conduc important eases before The
committees 81 Congress. Alter the War he was never
a candlate Tor am political place except when he ran
a. Democratic candidate tor delegate to Congress from
the District OF Columbia under the Territorial form oil
government. lie always maintained controlling M
1nace m the politics of Maryland, and his extended
acquaintance with the public of tho day gave him
some prominence in National politics. lie was
brother Of Judge William ID. Merrck.