Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-28

dari ng courage His first movement il
military life was in joining the Duquesn'
G-eys, the crack military company of the
city, first under the command of Col Baker,
of the United States Army, atterward Capt.
John Birmingham. When the Mexican wal
broke out, Col Black entered the service
and distinguished himself
A Familiar story in Pennsylvania.
His career in the service of his country
during the Southern rebellion is a familiar
story in ali Pennsylvania He fell in
front of his regiment, leading it to battle,
mimic ball pierced his temple. He
died when he would have chosen to
die. in the front of battle leading
his men Colonel Black was a much mis-
understood man. He was sometimes &C.
credited with loose views in morality and
religion. Nothing could be more falss. He
was SINGER, and earnest believer in the
theology and religious belief which his emil
nens father had proclaimed from the pulpit
for more than 30 years.
He came to the bar of Pittsburg at time
when it was eminent for brilliancy and
power. w. W. Fettermau, John D.
Mahon, W. W. Irwin, Cornelius Darragh,
Wilson McCandless, A. W. Loomis, Or
lando Metcalf and other men eminent in all
the departments of legal practice. At once
he attracted a large clientage especially in
the crimi nal branch of the law. He asso-
ciated with himself Thomas Liggett, Jr.,
who was fine lawyer and most admirabls
office practician. The firm of Black &
Liggett had a large and lucrative practice.
After the death of Mr.. Ligget. he was
associated with Reade Menhaiglin, ESQ.,,
an accomplished lawyer and true, good gen.
tleman. Again with John Mellon.
His Readiness at Repartee.
In the practice of the law he was distir-
guished for his quickness and readiness in
repartee In his criminal practice he had
for his adversaries Darragh, Mahon, Alden
Marshall, Magnus Eyster ct al. The dash
of his manner and character attracted clients
and patrona Up to 1S42 he was a warm
and popular Whig, but he passed into the
Democratic fold and thereafter did yeoman
service to the Democratic party. On the
stump he was a prime favorite of the
masses, brilliant, dashing, ready and full of
fire and daring audacity in his attacks upon
the opposition.
In his practice at the bar he was ready,
witty and full of that desperate resolve that
wins cases without much logic or fact to
sustain the verdict
In old Quarter Sessions more than so
years ago prisoner was brought from Jail
to the courtroom for trial. He had no
counsel The Judge assigned Sam Black to
defend him, saying they could retire and
consult, that the counsel might advise his
client. They retired. When Sam returned
to the courtroom the Judge inquired if be
had advised his client Sam replied:
''Your Honor, found upon consultation
that your friend had no defense to this
charge and that he had better give bail to
next term of the court" )" The learned
Judge inquired: "What bail can he give?''
'iSam," with unmoved countenance, re-
piled: 'I believe he has given leg bail,
your honor" The matter, which was of a
trivial character, passed without further
notice.
Colonel Sam Black was q brave, fiery
and gallant soldier. He was logical and
able lawyer. He was a warm friend and
good hater. But he was always o man to
stand for his acts.