Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-07-01

William h. MoOrillis.
BANGoR's MILLIONAIRE LAWYER.
TnB RECONCILIATION BETWEEN HIN AND
HANNIBAL HAMLIN.


THE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN HIN AND
HANNIBAL HAMLIN.
Bangor Letter to Lewiston Journal.
Hon. William II. McCrills has been a
strong character on the Bangor stage for
half a century. When | called at his office,
a few days ago, there was litter Of papers
on the floor and hodge -podge Of law books
on the sofa and table. The room looked
more like college students den than the
sanctum of millionaire. Mr.. McCrillis said
he had recently given up his law practice, af-
ter nearly so years in the harness and now
uses his office chiefly for writing few let
ters, drawing checks and taking maps after
dinner.
Mr.. McCrillis is probably the richest
lawyer in Maine. He was born, poor, in
New Hampshire. A lucrative practice and
fore-sighted investments in timber lands
have made him worth a million or more.
He has meddled little with politics, but has
had an unusually large acquaintance with
public men, enjoys giving from his treasure
Of "reminiscences and is most agreeable
companion. Indeed, although he is y years
old, there is no man in Bangor whose society
is better reished by people Of all ages than
his, or who is more welcome visitor at the
club.
Speaking of the poverty and adventures
Of his boyhood. Mr.. McCrilis told incident
ally the story Of the way in which he man
aged 10 hear a case argued by those two
legal giants, Jeremiah Mason and Daniel
Webster.
Il lived at Great Falls" said he. Web
ster and Mason we're to speak IN the Ciliey
will case at Exeter, 20 miles away. This
Cilley wa. a relative Of that Jonathan Cilley
who fought the duel with Graves, He
left a large property and there was great
fight over it. Ny chum and were very anx-
lou. to hear Webster and Mason. Ny
chum was Gus Hale, brother Of John r.
Hale the whites, statesman ofhis gener
alton. We had no money and the question
va. how 10 get to Exeter. My father would
let me have a horse, but being 4 poor
doctor, had no carriage but a gig. Gus
found a wagon to 90 with my horse and we
started out. Where to stay after we ar
rived in Exeter, was a still more vexatious
question. We knew nobody IN town but
Judge Smith, who had married a Hale and
was a distant relative to my chum. We
concluded to try him, although he was a
man Of high position and We were somewhat
in awe OF him. sha! never forget how
cordially he welcomed US two BOYS and how
Hospitality he entertained u.s. The trial was
held in the meeting house. There was a
great crowd, but Judge Smith took Us under
hi. wing and secured good seats for US.
Mason argued in the forenoon and made i
mastery plea At dinner, Judge Smith
said, Daniel is sacred. He IS not going TO
spread any flowers over his course TIN, after
noon but he i. gong % make desperate
fight The Judge was right Webster
fought like lion. Mason had warned the
jury to hevar. Of the danger Of being blind
ed by lis opponents etoquence, With one
compljmcntar, sentence Webster parred
this stroke and pitched in. lie won the
case. 1t wa. the greatest treat Of my youth
-witncs,ing this battle ofthe giants
Though now 8 Democrat, Mr.. McCrllus
was delegate to the Republican national
convention 4, Chicago that nominated Lin
coin and Fiam!in II. and Mr.. Blaine were
the two nsn who first congratulated Mr
Lincoln in person, II was appointed on the
committee to 20 to Springfield and formally
notify Mr.. Lincoln Of his nomination" SAID
Mr.. McCrillls MIR Blame was not a dele
gate, but wished 10 see Mr.. Lincoln. He
and took train IN advance Of the com
msuse and enjoyed pleasant interview
with him. | could not help noticing the
plannes Of Mr. Lincoln's surroundings.
On going out remarked to Mr. Blaine that
had taken an inventory Of the furniture in the
par.or while We had been taking, and did
not believe that the whole Of It would fetch
$50 at auction Mr.. Lincoln wa. grea,
man. Mr.. Hamlin, have always respected
a. an honest and able man, although have
differed from him politically Ii was MIR.
Evarts, now Senator from New York Who
made Mr.. Flamlin Vice President His votce
turned the tide in the convention from Banks
to Hamln."
Twenty-one years ago, Mr McCrl.... and
Mr.. Hamlin had personal difference, and
although the bitterness Of feeling soon
passed away they did not speak to each
other in all that time till one day la,t spring
when reconciliation was effected by a
mutual friend in a dramatic and affecting
scene at the Tar,atine Club, which was
pictured viydly FOR me by a prominent cltI-
zen Of Bangor, during a recen, visit.
Hon. Cha.. Y. Whitten, a Boston mer-
chant, came to Bangor on business, and was
entertained By Mr. McCrlllis, who took him
to drive in the forenoon, and in the afternoon
escorted him 70 the GarratIne Club, where a
reception 10 him had been arranged. Dur
ing the day Mr.. Whltten Indicated to an
other man his wish to meet Mr.. Ham,ln, and
had been told Of the alienation existing be
tween the two venerable citizens. Before
going to the club, Mr.. Whltten planned in
his mind the scene that followed. A large
mn m nj Ra- M ,iaJ a.