The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-15
CALLED TO TIE BAR.
The Death OF Ex-Judge John j. Maher
Of Barnwell.
Especial to News and Courier.

Especial to News and Courier.
BARNwELL, Feb. 10.-Ex-Judge
John J, Maher died to-day at 130 P.
NJ. His health has been poor for some
time and for month his sight had
failed him.
AN HONORABLE CAREER.
The Hon John J. Maher was son of
M. D. Maher, a native of Ireland, who
emigrated to South Carolina in the
year 1922 and engaged in the mercantile
business. Judge Maher was born in the
county of Colleton, November 2, 1927,
and was in his 66th year. In his early
youth he began the study oflaw in the
office of Bellinger & Hutsop, at Barn.
well, and was admitted to practice in
7S49. Nature having been liberal in
her advantages towards him, aud he
being of that cast of mind to improve
these advantages, be speedily rose to
great prominence in his profession. He
was elected Judge of the I'd circuit in
1872, and served the term of four years.
He did not seek the Office, and was
elected Judge without his knowledge
or consent. When notice of his election
was served upon him be refused to
serve, and would not accept till his
friends of the Barnwell Bar prevailed
upon him to do so. In accepting the
office be was forced to sacrifice prac-
tice of $4,000. His election, however,
was God-send to the people of the I'd
circuit. It came at a time when the
Radicals ran riot in this State. At
well-known trial about the year 1873,
when hejury, composed entirely of
negroes, acquitted prisoner of the
charge of murder, where all the proof
was positive against him, Judge Maher
became so disgusted that he threatened
to throw off his mantle, and remarked
publicly "that justice has perished at
GuS IauuS vi q L1oo. lSci SAo1 S1h
be of no more good" But his friends
still prevailed upon him to bold on.
He resumed the practice of law in 1875,
and since then has quietly pursued his
profession until his election to the
House in 1884, when be served as chair
man of the judiciary committee.
Judge Maher's last public work was
perhaps the most noted Of his career,
although failing eyesight and later his
death prevented its entire completion.
It was the codifcation of the laws of
the State, to which he was assigned by
the General Assembly several years
ago. Parts /, 2 and had been COM
pleted and published, and the COM
missioner was at work on the fourth
part, when he was compelled by failing
health to give it up. The Code and its
annotations are generally admitted by
members of the Bar to be most COM
plete and satisfactory.
Judge Maher has a number Of rela-
tives and connections and a host Of
friends in Charleston. Indeed he was |
known and admired throughout the
State. He was devout and conscien-
tious member Of the Roman Catholic |
church and received the consultations
Of his religion before his death. He
came to Charleston during The month
of January last to consult specialists as
to his eyesight, and during his stay
here attended solemn Mass at the Pro-
Cathedral, where he heard a sermon
by Jesuit Father Smith, who was con-
ducting a mission at that time. He
afterwards said that although he Wa
nearly blind be would always relnem-
Der the solemnity of the service at his
church.
The death of this Christian gentle
man, upright Judge and patriotic citi-
zen is distinct loss to the State of
which be was so jealous and honored
a son. Requiescat in pace.