Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-24
THE LATE JUDGE WRIGHT.
Early Life and Fight with the Govern
ment-Incidents from His Career.

The life ofJudge Jno. ". Wright, whose recent
death at Berkeley Springs was announced in
TIE SrAR, was q busy and eventful one. He
was well known in this city, where he resided
for many years. His STRONG individuality and
| the controversies in which he engaged made
him conspicuous figure.
Judge Wright was the son Of Rev. John
| Wright, one Of the pioneer settlers of Ohio,
| and was born at Lancaster in that state in
October, 1911. He graduated at the Ohio
| university in 1882 and after reading law with
Judge Irvine Of the supreme court in the fol-
lowing year started out to make his own way
in the world and, locating in Logansport, Ind,
| in 1888, established in q short time lucrative
practice. He, however, after two years hard
work, was taken ILL., and in 1885 his brother
Williamson Joined and entered into partner
Ss MIsb ana 0f as firm
firms of the state. Judge Wright was at that
period democrat and as such was elected to
| the legislature, the prosecuting attorneyship
and a circuit 1udgeship, serving in the latter
for five years.
HIS RELATIONS WITH CHIEF JUSTICE cAarTKR.
1t was when serving as q judge that he be-
came acquainted with the late Chief Justice
Cartier, with whom in the last twenty years Of
the latter's life he was on the most intimate
terms. The chief justice, then in his prime as
lawyer, rode from his home in Ohio. dis
lance of 300 miles, to defend a man charged be-
fore Judge Wright with counterfeiting and sue
ceeded in acqultting him. After the organize
ton Of the Supreme Court of the District the
chief justice was one day accosted by Judge
Wright, who said: Judge Cartier, how are
youT "Pretty we'll, Mr.. - responded
Judge Cartier, hesitating to pronounce the
name.
Wright" said the owner Of that name.
"Mr. Wright, how are you?"
Judge Wright" said Judge Wright, cor
recting the chief Justice again
"How are you, Judge Wright"
Don't you know me?" asked Judge Wright
Don't you remember the case of - you tried
at Logansport before Judge light"
Why! exclaimed the chief justice, "is il
possible you are the same Judge Wright"
In that way they renewed their acquaintance
and a friendship that lasted for twenty years
or more was formed.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT IN INDIANA.
Judge Wright after serving as Judge retired
to his farm, few miles from Logansport, but
was too active a man for the confines Of farm
and it was not long before he engaged in the
public improvements of the state, and it was
chiefly through him that the Logansport and
Fulton plank road was constructed. In 1853
Judge Wright took the lead in an effort to ex-
tend the Wabash railroad through Logansport
and called and presided over the first meeting
for that object and this resulted in the extern
sion Of the road through the state Judge
Wright about the same time contracted for and
constructed the present Richmond division of
the Pan Handle railroad, and the first locomo-
tive ever seen in Logansport he took there by
canal For time under the free-banking law
he engaged in the banking business, having
houses at Rochester and Logansport, and he
also served as mayor Of Logansport In 1858
he was elected as democrat to the legislature,
out refused to serve as such.
WHY HE WENT TO KANSAS.
He was the agent of the government for the
removal of the Miami Indians to homes west Of
the Mississippi, and this work he accomplished.
So pleased was he with Kansas and SO interested
did ne become In the contest between the anti
slavery and pro-slavery factions that he set
tied in that state and used his influence
against the pro-slavery party. He served as a
member Of the constitutional convention of
the state and was elected to the house of dele
Owing to the Wabash railroad becoming en-
barrassed he returned to his old home at Lo-
gansport and remained there till the inaugural
ton OF Mr.. Lincoln, in 1861, when he came to
Washington, and was shortly after appointed
an agent ofthe government to disburse money,
&C., to the western Cherokees.
HIS CONTROVERSY WITH THE GOVERNMENT
Judge Wrights accounts were disputed by
the government, and the result was the bring
anoes. He always claimed that the government
was indebted to him and on the trials he was
successful Secretary Of the Interior Delano
was active in the prosecution of the cases
against Judge Wright and Attorney General
Williams also, and finally Judge Wright deem
ing himself wronged by the Secretary assaulted
him on the street, striking him with q cane.
For this he was tried, convicted and sentenced
to thirty days in Jail and to pay fine of $500.
After serving few days he was brought out
under writ OF habess corpus aud discharged
from imprisonment. When some Of the effects
OF the Attorney Generals office were sold Judge
Wright bought the landaulet used by Mr..
Williams and paraded 1t to show the official
extravaganza OF the Attorney General. For a
number OF years he had made his summer resi-
Washington at 18th and NJ streets
northwest For few years past, however,
he resided continuously at Berkeley
He delighted to have children around him and
IT was no uncommon occurrence for him to
gather those of the neighborhood, give them a
ride on the street cars, ending with a treat at
his spacious house, 18th and NJ. At Berkeley,
his home, Laurel Hill was often filled by
the young people Of that section and once or
twice each year he was wont to offer prizes to
the mothers of
THE HANDsoMEsT AND HoMELIEsr BABIES,
when he would entertain as many as could find
room in his grounds. Somewhat brusque in
manner, very emphatic in speech, strong in
his likes and dislikes, he was in many respects
a rough diamond, and the large attendance
when the body left the cottage at Laurel Hill
embracing about every person, white and
colored, OF the neighborhood, showed in what
esteem he was held
MasOns of High Degree.
The annual session of the Supreme council of
OF sovereign grand inspectors general, thirty
third and last degree of the Ancient and Ac-
cepted Scottish Rite.of Freepasonry for the
United States Of America and their territories