The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-15
THE OLD NORTH STATE.
CHEF JUSTICE A. a. MERRIMON, OF
THE SUPREME COURT,
Dies in Raleigh at the Age Of sixtx-Two-
His Distinguished Career-sJudge
Shepherd His Probable Successor.

RALEIGH. n. C., Nov. 1i-Speciai.-
Hon. A. s. Merrimon, chief justice OF the
Supreme Court OF North Carolina. passed
away this morning at 2.20 o'clock at his
home IN this city, where he has been ly-
ing very Ill for several weeks. The sad
ness that pervaded the city when this
announcement was made was deepened
by the knowledge that the death of the
loved and honored treasurer OF the State
was close at hand.
II was a coincidence of notable interest
that Chief Justice Merrimon died on the
same date on which Chief Justice w. y
II. Smith passed away just three years
ago to-day
Augustus Summerfeld Merrimon wa'
born in Pennsylvania county. then
part of Buncombe county. on Septembe'
10. 1890. He was son Of Branch H. Mer-
rimon. a local Methodist preacher OF the
Holstein conference. Young Merrimon
procured some education and entered the
bar. He was soon made county attorney
OF Runcombe and I'm 1850 was elected TO
the House Of Commons, where he first
became known generally for his fine
ability. The war coming on, he volun-
teered in the Rough and Ready Company,
of Buncombe, which was engaged in drill
ing in camp at Raleigh when Colonel
Johnston, chief commissary. appointed
him captain on his staff. Later he was
appointed solicitor OF the mountain dis
trict. In 1866 the Legislature OF North
Carolina elected him judge Of the supreme
court and he made his mark IN the
judicial history Of North Carolina. In
in
he was chairman of the Democratic State
committee. and he was nominated for
Judge OF the supreme court by the Demo
Gratis. Four years later he was nomi-
mated for Governor, but was defeated by
Governor Caldwell by a small majority.
That fall he was elected to the Senate
after an acrimonious contest with Sena-
tor Vance and the next year he formed
a law partnership with Colonel T. {.
Fuller and Captain s. a. Ashe, which
lasted many years. In the Senate ne
took q high stand. But on the expiration
of his term he retired to his law prac-
tice. being succeeded in the Senate by
Vance. He remained In the practice OF
the law in Raleigh until in 1888, when,
upon the resignation OF Judge Rufiin,
Governor Jarvis appointed him to the SUI
preme court bench and later, upon the
Fowle appointed him chief justice, to
which place he was subs 9quently elected
by the people.
Judge Merrlmon at the age OF twenty
two married Miss Margaret ]. Baird, OF
Buncombe, who, together with a large
and interesting family survives him. In
his death the State loses one of its most
able and distinguished citizens and pub
lie servants. The funeral will take place
tomorrow
Thomas Settle. Republican candidate
for Congress against a. II. a. Williams
in the Fifth district, arrived here to-day,
and confidently declares he is elected over
Williams by four hundred majority He
has in his possession certified copies Of
the election returns from all the coun-
ties which he claims shows a safe ma
jorty for him.
1t is stated here this evening that the
appointment Of chief justice Of the SUI
preme court will be rendered TO Hon.
James r. Shepherd now associate jus
tice on the bench, and that A. Burwell
Esq. a prominent lawyer OF Charlotte
will be appointed to succeed Judge Shep-
herd as associate justice.