, 1886-04-03
an EMINENr Mas GONE.
Death Of Hon. John Baxter, One or the
United states Circuit Judges.

Death of Hon. John Baxter, One OF the
United states Circuit Judges
Capt G. W. Baxter yesterday received
a telegram announcing the death at Hot
| Springs, Ark, of his father, the Hon.
John Baxter, judge of the United States
Circuit Court for the circuit comprising
the states of Tennessee, Ohio, and Michi-
gan. The telegram conveying the sad in
telligence did not explsin fully the cause
of death, but it is supposed to have been
apoplexy, as Capt. Baxter stated that he
supposed his father to be in his usual
health, and had zone to the springs
more as a matter Of recreation than other
wise.
The news of the death of Judge Bax-
ter has been blow to Capt. Baxter and
his brother, Jotn A. Baxter, and they
are both nearly overcome at the loss Of
their honored and eminent father.
Judge Baxter was a man who possessed
a national reputation, and as already
stated, was one of the United States
circuit judges. A few words in regard to
his life and history will be Of interest
to all.
Judge John Baxter was born in the
state Of North Carolina in 1879, and was
therefore at the time Of his death up
wards OF CT years of age. He did not
long remain in his native state after at
tanning his majority, but drifted westward,
and eventually located at Knoxville,
in the state of Tennessee, where he has
resided for more than thirty years.
Prior to the war Judge Baxter was what
is sometimes called an "old line Wing,
and when the war of the rebellion broke
out he was found firmly and steadfastly
on the side Of the union.
On account Of his union sentiments
Judge Baxter (who at that time had be-
come one of the leading men OF the state)
suffered much persecution and great pecu-
mary loss, and was three times driven
from his house in Knoxville and com-
PEELED to fee for his life and seek protec-
ton farther north. Prior to the close OF
the rebellion he returned to Knoxville,
however, and when the war was over re-
sumed the practice of the law, but was
subsequently called to serve in various
public positions of trust. When the
present Judge Harlan was appointed as a
member Of the supreme court of the
United States, it will be remembered by
many hat through the press of Tennessee
and also of other parts Of the country,
President Hayes was urged to appoint
Judge Baxter to the position though that
gentleman was not an aspirant for the
position.
In December, 1877, Judge Baxter was
appointed by President Hayes to the posi-
ton which he has held and filed with dis
tinguished ability and credit to himself
from that time until the day of his death,
Had he lived, the far famed Bell tele-
phone cases would have come before
Judge Baxter in Ohio. During the time
when Judge Baxter was on the bench in
his circuit he formed the acquaintance Of
james A. Garfield, and the two we're ever
after and until the time when the latter
fell at the hands of the assassin, firm
friends. When Garfield became president
of the United States he rendered to Judge
Baxter a seat in his cabinet, offering him
the position of attorney general. Judge
Baxter declined this, however, preferring
to remain on the bench, but upon Gar
fields invitation he spent some ten days
with the president elect at Mentor and
had considerable to do with the formation
of Garfeld's cabinet.
The deceased jurist leaves seven chill
dren-two daughters and FIVE sons-to
mourn his loss, two of the latter, Capt. G..
w. Baxter and John A. Baxter, being at
present residents OF Cheyenne. The re-
mains of Judge Baxter will be taken back
to Knoxville, Tenn, for intermeut, and
will leave the Hot Springs to-day for that
place. 1t is expected that the funeral
will take place on Monday or Tuesday
next, Capt. Baxter being unable. how
ever, to attend on account OF illness in his
family.