Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-04
JUDGE MERRICK DYING.
The Distinguished Jurist Not Expected
to Live Throughout the Day.

The condition of Judge Merrick, who has
been lying i'll at his home, 1716 street, for some
weeks, was considered hopeless to-day. II was
not expected this afternoon that he would live
through the night. His physicians are in con-
slant attendance upon him.
Judge VIM. NJ. Merrick has twice satlupon
the District bench. His last appointment was
by President Cleveland May 1, 1856, when Judge
Merrick succeeded Judge Wyiie. His physical
condition to-day was attributed by an old friend
Of his, with whom STAB reporter conversed,
to overwork on the bench.
Judge Merrick is about seventy years old, and
q native of Maryland. His father, the late
VIM. ID. Merrick, was q. s. Senator from Mary
land from 1888 to 1845. He was q leader at
the bar of his state, and he gave three sons to
the legal profession, Judge VIM. NJ. Merrick,
the late Richard T. Merrick, and Mr.. Geo. G.
Merrick, of Prince Georges county, Nd.
Judge Merrick studied law and began his
practice in Frederick, Maryland. He was ap-
pointed by President Pierce as a
Judge on On. the old circuit court court
and sat on the bench here until the court was
legislated out OF existence in 1868, the present
Supreme Court of the District was established.
Judge Merrick then went to Baltimore for q
while, and then removed to Howard county,
Md, resuming the practice of the law.
From 1873 to 1875 Judge Merrick represented
the fifth Maryland district in the House OF Rep
resentatives, serving on the credit mobilier in
vestigating committee and making the princi-
pal report against the accused persons.
Among the first appointments to Office in the
District made by President Cleveland was
that of Judge Merrick to succeed Judge Wylie
There was considerable opposition in the Sem
ate to his confirmation, as it was stated,
on account OF his age, and the nomination
was not confirmed until January following.
Judge Merrick has no children. His wife's
maiden name was Miss Mary Wickliffe. She is q
daughter of Gov. Wickliffe, of Kentucky. One
of her sisters was the wife Of Judge
Acknowledgement Holt and the other of Sena-
tor Yulee. Another sister, Mrs. Beckham, is
now living in Kentucky. Judge Merrick's
household includes beside his wife, two nieces,
of whom he and his wife are very fond, Miss
Beckham and Miss Wickliffe.
Judge Merrick has been suffering for some
time with gastric trouble.
At the outbreak of the war, when Judge
Merrick was ON the bench here, an appiice-
ton was made to him for a writ of habeas
corpus for boy who had enlisted in
the army. General Andrew Porter in
command of the forces here had the person
who served the writ arrested. Before the court
is stated by Secretary Stewards orders before
Judge Merriok's house.
The sentinel remained at Judge Merrick's
door for four or five weeks, the Judge in the
meantime refusing to leave the house. he was
then removed by Mr.. Stewards order.
He then resumed his seat, and held 1t until
the court was reorganized by legislation. No
charge was made against his loyalty.
Judge Merrick is resting easy at 8 o'clock.
Father Chapelle, of st. Matthews church, is