Evening journal., 1893-04-14
HIS LAST FIGHT ENDED.
Lawyer James H. Heverin's
Death in Philadelphia.
A POWERFUL CRIMINAL LAWYER

and Counsel for the Leading News
papers of That CIty-wsuId Have Been
40 Years Old Next Friday.
James H. aeverin, noted member Of
the Philadelphia bar died at his home
leOS De Lancey Place, Philadelphia, at
23O o'clock yesterday afternoon, of heart
failure, Mr. Heverin's health. had
failed for the past two years, but the
end has been rapidly approaching since
three weeks ago On Wednesday OF last
week his physic said he could live but
for few hours. Since then, however
he clung to life with a wonderful
tenacity The family physician DR.
Birney and the wife of Mr. Heverin were
the only ones in the apartment when
death came
He was conscious to the end, and only
about ten minutes before the end, spoke
to his wife about family affairs
James II Heverin was born at Dover,
Del, April 81, 1914. His parents were
James L and Priscilla Heverin He was
educated in the schools of Delaware. and
having in view a professional life, en-
tered Princeton College where he gradu.
ated in 1864 From Princeton he entered
the Harvard Law School where he gradu.
ated in 1866 He then returned TO his
native state and entered the law Office of
Hon. Joseph f. Comegys and in the
autumn of 1866 was admitted to the
Bar of Delaware
He practiced in Dover and made him
self felt; but the place was too small,
and he came to Philadelphia. He hung
out his sign in that city, and by indomi
table perseverance and hard work was
soon on the high road to fortune.
In 1S69 and 1870 he held the ofico of
assistant district attorney under Dis
trict Attorney Furman Sheppard, but
his private practice demanded his time
aud he resigned his public position He
was nominated and elected in 1872 as
one of the three Democratic delegates
at.large from the city of Philadelphia to
the convention for amending the consti-
tuition of the State of PENNSYLVANIA
This was a great honor. and was won
against a bitter opposition. Mr. Hevern
received the second highest vote before
the people
Though only % years old he was one
of the ablest leaders in the convention.
the youngest member, with one excep-
tion, and his speeches we're received
with enthusiasm, and had marked effect
in debating the policy chosen.
In 1888 he was appointed assistant
United States in the Court Of Alabama
claims, and occupied this position dur
ing the existence of that court, hearing
and representing the government In all
cases that came before him within the
provisions OF said position
While at Princeton he showed remark
able aptitude in his studies and in the
literary society ranked as the most bril-.
liant debater. 1t was here that he re-
ceived the first lessons in argumentative
oratory and laid the foundation for the
great success that came to him later at
the bar
When in the height of his power be
was almost matchless as an orator, and
he had marvellous success in the conduct
of cases. He had an admirable flow of
language, and was an adept in all the
resources which public speakers rely
upon TO create effect His sarcasm was
biting, his intellect was keen and no
one was better able to seize an example
and profit by it.
The most minnie thread of a case
never escaped him. His passion, when
pouring forth his thrilling speeches
before juries was overpowering, and he
excited all within hearing so greatly
that men and women could not control
their emotion, but laughed or cried at
the orators will Perhaps he was never
more effective than when bitterly ironi
cal, and then the opposite counsel,
though hardened to sarcasm, could not
endure his cuttingly polite words, 1t
has often been said that Mr.. Heveriu
could make jurors aud Judges believe
what he would regardless Of the evidence
of the senses aud the way he won
verdicts in weak cases proved, beyond al
ruaeffou fha frarnarHoun fuHupura n
his eloquence.
Among the leading cases in which Mr.
Heverin appeared were those of maj
named Brown, who was tried for murder
ing his wife in Fairmount Park, anC
who, Mr.. Heverin defended and sayeS
from execution, in spite OF the damag-
ing evidence against him. lie defended
Gerdemann, the Catholic priest who lef
his congregation, and WIS charged witt
embezzling church funds, and &C
quilted him. He was engaged to defenl
kew Waldo Messaros, in the trial II
which the pastor was accused Of
criminal assault and through Mr.
Heverin's able conduct of the case
was acquitted. He appeared a
prosecuting attorney against snothe
minister named Bott and ais
against Bliss, the Spiritualist. O
that of Charles Fails, stage manager
the Carleton Opera Company, who wa
accused by Louise Paullln, the oper
singer, of having stolen large sum c
money. Notwithstanding the damagin
evidence in the case, Mr.. Heverin s,
cured a verdict of not guilty for hi
client The case was brought before th
court eight times in period of two an
half years aud cost the commonwealt
and defense thousands of dollars
eliminated in the confession of Propert
Man weeks. who said that he had foun
tha money in Miss Paullins dressin
room.
The Madison Trial. .fr
Among the latest cases in which Al
Heverin appeared as counsel for the d.
fense was that of the commonwealt
against Josephine Madison for the mu
der of John Hobbs Mr. Hever
secured verdict in the second degree
and the woman was sentenced to tweli
years Imprisonment
Il o.fl that Nh Hawnrf, -,1