Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-10-26
COURT PROCEEDINGS.
The Last Weeks Work-Memorial Ex-
ercises-Adjournme

session. The attention Of the court was called
to the matter by A. W. King of Ellsworth,
who said
May 1t please the Court: 1t is my sad duty
formally to annouce to this court the death OF
one of the members OF this bar, our young
brother Charles n Higgins.
| At the last April term OF this court while
nearly all the members of this bar were present
In this room, active and ready for action, the
mournful message was passed among US that
our brother was dead in a distant State.
Mr. Higgins was admitted to this bar at the
| April term 1891. The period of his labors as an
attorney was brief, but in that brief period he
won for himself a most enviable reputation. lie
| possessed. think, in marked degree, those
| qualities which would have soon placed him in
the foremost rank of his chosen profession.
| He had clear. strong, penetrating mind: was
natural student and thorough Investigator. lie
was honest in all things. When brother Higgins
made statement of fact we relied on It when
| he presented a proposition OF law, we believed
he found authority for It, He was careful
cautious, painstaking and conservative in bust
ness. His judgment was sound and reliable. He
was pure In speech. and above reproach In con.
| duct In all his relations with US he was a model
| OF poiiteness and courteousness. Those who
/ knew MIN Dest ADMIRED ana esteemed MIN most.
| In the death of brother Higgins almost at the
| beginning of his work. we solemnly reminded
| that we know not how soon our work may cease.
| think 1t behooves US, your honor, to stop in
our work while that may reflect upon the
lesson his brief life teaches. and emulate 40 far
as we may. his worthy example.
! therefore move this honorable court that the
| following resolutions, which have been unani.
mously adopted by the members of this bar In
token Of their respect and esteem for their de
ceased brother. be accepted and ordered placed
on file with the records Of this court
| Rtsolrtd-That In the death OF our young friend
and brother, Charles \. Higgins the bar has
| lost one OF Its worthy and most promising mem
| bers, whose sincerity, integrity, high sense OF
| honor. and gentlemanly bearing had won from
| u all regard esteem, and appreciation.
Resolred-That though we are -a,idened by hls
death We shall cherish In our hearts the memory
| OF his frank and honorable career as member
| Of this association, as well that of his
| emplary character
| Resoired-That tender to his and our
/ brother. John T. Higgins. and each member OF
| his family our heart felt sympathy in this great
| sorrow and affection.
| Following Mr.. King, remarks were nsie by
the following members OF the bar: Elmer L.
| Spoford, George B. Stuart, Charles II. Wood,
| John A. Peters. jr., c. II. Drummey, T.. $.
/ Clark, l.. +. Giles, +. l.. Mason, John b. Red
man. and l.. b. Deasy. Mr.. Higgins law part
ner. MIR. Deasy spoke as follows:
| May 1t please the Court There are some
thoughts that compel uttcrancc, but there
others that reprcss and almost forbid speech
such are the thoughts. such the memorlc-.
with which the mind clothes SORROW, ! would
fain to-day speak only Ia the hearts language,
! but having known Charles y Higgins better
than any other member OF the bar present being
! closer to hla family and friends. II perhaps lie
hooves me TO say something. II only To express
my and their spprcc iaiion OF your Kind and era.
cious words
Whist has been said Of Charles y. Higgins
ability Is true. Is deserved. lie Young
OF far more than ordinary promise. And yet
Ike better to hear, because more characteristic OF
him. Of the -potes- purity OF his life and CONVEX
-ation. During the years that knew him, meet
lng him every day In business relations. having
him for portion OF the time member az my
household. never hcarl from hi. lips one pro
fame. obscene, angry unkind word. not one
word that might not have been htiy spoken ia
any place or In any presence, not one word that.
/ lying In the shadow Of impending death. he
could have wished to recall
The circumstance cf his death were Indeed
sad-ha-tening 70 distant state 10 Ind health.
anu iltrc ] am TON tbat nc sN
pressed but regret. and that was that he
could not return 10 die at home Town Fiil
where he was born. Three OF four loving facc-
around him could not shut out from him the
Of the scene, the lack OF sympathy IN hi
surroundings, and he ngerci and thlr-tcd for
the familiar scenes that hal greeted and glad
dened his childhood'- eye.
But itcould no, be Strange hands performed
oh -rra ftin al
hymn. And after brief rest. a. 1t were, Ia that
distant STATE he wen; upon his further Journey
- stranger country.
Again lie, me say that your Kind worls will be
grateful 10 HE family and friends And may ID
not he that your Kind words, nay tina, your kind
loving. unspoken thoughts, pur-uing him across
that vast nd charlie sea. may have
"softened the surprise
OF his rapt gaze ON unfamiliar skies"
Mr.. Deasy's remarks were followed by those
OF the presiding justice. l.. A. Emery, who
said:
Brethren OF the Bar We belong to a labori-
Gus ariuous and exhaustive profession, The
proper performance OF our duties calls for the
constant exercise Of our beet powers. W. are
often thought To lie "A harsh profession, pro.
fes7ion WHERE the finer sentiments OF sympathy
and affection have no place. | think this
today mus, ASSURE all who 1t hear OF ii.
that even with our arduous and exhaustive
duties still have in large degree those
qualities OF sympathy and affection that maze
life sweet and worth living.
Ordinarily these occasions we have con.
-idered the life and character OF one who has
lived his life. has do his work. had his rewards
and gone to his rest. At those tunes have
gathered from the life and work Of departed
brother. lessons for ourselves in our work. At
this time have such lessons 10 learn Our
young friend and brother had not lived his life,
So far could see he had yet done his
work he had been guide for u. and It may
be for that reason that lament his untinely
death the In other had the life
and example. here only had the promise.
Ny personal acquaintance with Mr.. Higgins,
of course was limited. recall the time when
be was examined for admission TO the bar which
before | then impressed with these
apparent qualities In him He answered hi-
questions mode-tly. clearly and conci-ely, with
no effort whatsoever TO make any show Of learn
ing, to impose upon anybody. He answered the
question well = he knew. quietly, and then
stopped. At that time it seemed TO that he
was young man who did not regard this world
OF ours, beautiful : IL Is a mere play ground,
that he had come into it merely 10 enjoy Il, its
trees Its flowers. its hills and valleys and rivers
but that the world seemed to him to be a work
shop where there Is work TO be done, and good
work TO be DONE and that he must fit himself for
work and not for play. He seemed sincere; he
seemed serious he seemed impressed with a
sense Of the responsibility of living; he seemed
TO be impressed with the importance of the
duties that he was undertaking,-impressed with
the dignity OF his new profession.
l reeolect the alluded to by one gentle
man, tried before me l think. And | recollect
with great pleasure his simple, unaffected man
nef in opening his case to the jury, explaining
the law. what he proposed to prove, and what
points he relied upon. He did 1t quietly. in com
| paratively few words, and therefore persuasive
| ly. know that / felt myself a sympathy for
him, that hoped he had good case, and that
| would be able 10 rule in his favor. And one of
| the jurors, who old friend OF mine told
me afterwards that the jury felt the way;
| that he them by his quiet, modest de
meanor that they felt the hope, he opened his
| case before them, that they would be able find
| in his favor. There was no ranting, no talking
| to the crowd; he seemed to be obliyious of every
| thing but his case and the tribunal.
| To me he seemed full Of promise of this, that
he going through life in the profession of the
| law n simple earnest worker irving 10 do his