Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-10
Death Oft. f. O,Conner.

Thomas Francis O'Connor, the we'll
known and popular Secretary of the Su-
preme Court of this State, died suddenly of
heart disease this morning at $50 o'clock,
in the Court building on Post street.
For the past year and half Mr.. O'Con-
nor has been sufferer from heart trouble
and in April last was compelled to take a
vacation by his physicians, in order to re-
build, if possible, his shattered health. He
remained away until few weeks ago, when
he resumed his clerical duties at the SUI
preme Court, apparently new man. This
morning he appeared in his usual good
spirits, to all appearances as healthy and
sound as any one. Shortly after o'clock
he went for the mail, and on his return
met Justice McKinstry at the door, and the
two proceeded up in the elevator together
engaged in commonplace conversation
They had alighted from the elevator and
were walking down the hallway toward
their respective apartments, when Judge
McKinstry, who was in the lead, heard a
peculiar noise behind him, and turned
around just in time to catch his companion
in his arms as he was falling to the floor
The dying man was quickly carried into
Chief Justice Searls' chamber and laid upon
lounge, while medical attendance was sent
for. This latter action, however, was use
less, for long before the physicians arrived
Mr.. O'Connor breathed his last.
The deceased was remarkably bright and
intelligent young man, and the loss by his
death to the Supreme Court is most seri-
GUS one. Nearly twenty years ago Mr..
O'Connor was bell boy at the Lick House.
At that time Judge William T. Wallace,
who was elected Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court, occupied apartments at the
hotel, and being keen observer soon dis
cerned the good qualities of Tommy"
the bright little bell-boy, and took a great
fancy too him. In 1872, while the Supreme
Court vast 1g in Sacramento, vacancy
occurred in e Bailiffship, and upon being
called upo. to choose some one for the
place the first person Judge Wallace
thought of was Tommy -" he did not
at the time know his surname. So
Tommy" was sent for and given the
position, which he filled more than salts
tactorily for five years. The elder Mr.
FInkler, father of the present Bailiff, was
at that time the Courts Secretary, and upon
his death in 1877 the Secretaryship was
given to Mr.. 0'Connor, without the Slight.
est solicitation on his part. This position
he has now occupied for about ten years
He developed Immediately taste for the
law, and while Bailiff OF the Court studied
it diligently. In April, 1876, after coming
out of vigorous examination with q very
high percentage, he was admitted to the
bar.
Judge Wallace was much grieved when
informed of the sad occurrence to-day, and
spoke at length of the many good traits of
his protege. Tommy was an extraordi-
nary man" he said, lone of those persons
whom you only meet once in lifetime. |
liked him the first time | ever saw him.
AS Secretary of the Supreme Court he was
veritable walking index / might say.
His memory was phenomenal. He could
almost repeat every decision rendered by
the Court, and could lay his finger upon
such portions of the authorities that the
Justices required in summing up their de-
cisions quicker than anyone ever knew"
The deceased was a native of Massa-
chusetts, and was 81 years of age. He
leaves a widow and four children.
The Supreme Court adjourned to-day out
of respect to the dead.-.S. T. Bulletin, Jan
udry 9TH