Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-20

was feeling OF deep sadness among the men,
bers OF the bar and others when il wac an
nounced that the venerable clerk Return JON
athan Meigs. had peacefully entered into his
hnai rest. The event occurred at his residence
No. 500 New Jersey avenue southeast, at 7.05
O'Clock last evening.
Mr.. Meigs lad reached the ripe old age Of
ninety years, and up to Saturday last had filled
his place almost daily at the court house in
writing up the minutes of the General Torn
and attending to other duties Of the Office
Yesterday morning before the hour Of leaving
Tor his duty he had sinking SPELL
but in a little time revived. His family deemed
1t better, however. that he should not return to
ms work and he remained in his room. About
0 clock he had another spell and his family
hastily gathered, but he continued 20 sink until
his breath ceased in a passing away as peace
fully as that OF a babe.
The deceased left five sons surviving him.
James l.. Meigs, a well-known civil engineer,
Return j., who has been an assistant clerk since
1865, when his father was appointed, John
Meigs OF the Post Otfce Department, Joe "
weil-known inventor OF Lowell. Mass, and
over a dozen grandchildren.
ACTION OF TIE COURTS.
All the courts were adjourned this morning
Judge Cox briefly announced in the Equity
Court that the court would adjourn on accoun.
OF the death Of the venerable and respected
clerk.
Judge Hagner in the Circuit Court said on
the opening of the court: The venerable
clerk has departed from among u.s. and al
though certain business renders IL highly mex
pedieut TO take an adjournment, vet this honor
the part of the court and bar Of the sorrow
that We feel that he is no longer among Us"
He added that he had concluded to suspend
business I'LL after the obsequies. Though this
would inconvenience some, he said, they could
not help taking this action, and they regretted
that the event had happened.
Mr.. cLAGETrs TRIBUTE.
On the Criminal Court converting at 10
O'Clock Mr.. H. c. Clagett. the assistant Dis
court had designated gentleman as clerk OF
the court and he had served continuously as
such with credit TO the court and to himself
and alter associating with them till he had
reached his nlnety-tirst year. last evening, as
peacefully as he had lived he died. The city
is minus one of its best citizens Christianity
one OF Its upholders and the court one OF its
valued officers. and as a mark of respect move
an adjournment 10 Thursday morning"
Judge Bradley said that the court had heard
OF the death of Its venerable clerk His death
was not surprise because of his ripe old age.
but the suddenness was surprise. The court
was left without clerk Ii Was well to show
a mark of respect and he directed an adjourn
ment till after the funeral.
When the Court in General Term met at 10
o clock there was O large attendance and when
Chief Justice Bingham and Justices Cox and
James took their seats the former said: ''Me
have heard Of the death of cur venerable
clerk. and not oLiy a matter of propriety
put OF respect, The court viii adjourn tn after
the funeral"
The Adjournment was thereupon entered.
A meeting of the bar to tahe appropriate
action touching his death viii be held Mt 2
O'Clock P. m on Wednesday in the Circuit Court
room, City Hall.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
Return Jonothan Aeigs was born on the l4th
day of April. 1901. in Clark county. Ky.. near
the town of Winchester. He was educated by
George Wilson, South Carolina Huguenot
AT the age Of twenty-one be received a license
to practice law. ana removing 20 Tennessee
soon established most lucrative practice
His ONCE was In a little two-roomcd house near
the capitol, and Andrew johnson, when gov
ernor OF the state. made it a daily practice t.
stop IN TO consult Dir. Meigs upon legal matters
While thus engaged M. Meigs published a
clgest OF the laws OF Tennessee. and as it in
ciuded much o. the western law his digest was
used to great extent in taat section, particu-
larry in Missouri and Illinois. On the break
lag out of the rebellion he removed from
tennessee TO New York. There he remained
until summoned to Washington to accept the
appointment to the clerkship of the Sul rene
SSN-As VI shS bAhlIlCb Vi upon It's re-
organization March %. 1868. This appoint
meat was made upon the direct request
and suggestion of President Lincoln, who
WIS reminded Of DIR. Meigs' fitness by Charles
Sumner, then chairman OF the judiciary com
mittee of the Senate. President Lincoln ha..
become acquainted with Mr.. Mei;,s' abilities
through a reading of his digest. 4 seat Ola the
bench OF tine District Supreme Court was ten
dered Mr. Meigs by President johnson. but The
honor was declined because a friend Of has was
an applicant for the position and because such
prominence was far from his taste.
Eeturn j. Meigs was man of highest honor
OF genial. companionable disposition. and one
who commanded at all times the greatest re-
spect and consideration. As lawyer mis- learn
ing ana talents we're of the highest order dis
death. therefore, is a loss which will be deeply
deplored and most seriously felt.
The name of Return Jonathan Mcigs was first
borne by the great uncle of the Return Jona-
than who has just died. This original Return
jonathan was a native Of Connecticut achieved
distinction as en- officer in the revolutionary
army and subsequently became a pioneer IN
ONO. bis father when a young man became
enamored OF Quakeress, but though he was
repeatedly rejected persisted in his suit On
his last visit as he slowly mounted his horse 70
ride away detected the lady. relenting,
beckoned to him to stop, crying out: Return,
Jonathan! Return, Jonathan" These words.
which gave him SO much happiness, he gave as
a name to his first born son.
JOHN n. YOUNG APPOINTED CLERK.
The death Of Mr.. Meigs made not only a va
cancy in the Office of the clerk, bat absolutely
stopped the wheels Of justice, as the name of
the clerk Ia required to all writs and papers
from the Office, even the marriage licenses.
therefore 1t was imperative that
the Office should be tiled at once
and after the adjournment Of the public ses-
SION OF the General Term the justices in con-
sultation selected Mr.. John IL. Young TO il
the position, and he was appointed and took
the oath OF office az the hands OF Chief Justice
Bingham and entered upon his duties
HIS flrst official act was 70 reappoint Mai. J..
z. Williams and NJ A Clancy assistant clerks,
and during the day he reappointed the other
assistants who we're in the office. Mr.. Young 10
q native of Illinois and has served fifteen wears
In the clerk'e Office in charge Of the Law bust |
ness.
He served in the onion army during the war |
and came here about twenty years ago, en- |
barking in business az a patent attorney, and |
on July I, 1876, he was rendered and accepted |
the position Of assistant clerk, and took charge
OF the Law branch of the office.
He has conducted his branch that he has |
the respect and confidence Of the entire bar 1
and there ID but one sentiment ss to the APP
pointment and that is it would be difhcult 10 /
ind better one.
Lady Somerset To Talk Tonight.