The morning call., 1894-12-11

vtals until it was found too late to check
their course.
Acting under the advice of friends. he
was induced to come uD to San francisco
to undergo special treatment at the hands
of Drs. j. (. Morse and George Chlsm0re.
Careful examination of the patient was
had upon his arrival at the hospital. and
after close consultation the physicians
announced that the maady was too far
advanced for hone of recovery.
1t was thought that his lease of life
would extend perhaps until the end of the
year, but last Sunday a sudden change
came over him for the worse, and all day
yesterday he seemed to gradually fall off.
at times becoming delrious and appar-
| emily laborlng under great pain. AS nisht
came on the fever increased, and his
pitiabe struggles for breath gave more
forcihle indications that death was not
far off.
Mrs. Holmes. who had returned to
Fresno on Saturday. was quickly sum-
moned to the bedside of her husband yes
terdav morning and arrived on last even
iDg's train from the south.
When told of the true condition of Mr..
Holmes, she became frantic with grief and
refused to believe that her life-compau
was about to be taken away from her.
With kind words she was brought about,
however. and surrouf ded by few men,
bers of the family she watched over the
dying form of the sufferer throughout the
evening.
The name of Judge holmes is familiar to
the paper-reading world throughout
the land. Chris Evans, the notorious out
law, whose deprsdations aroused the in
dgnation of the entire country, was tried
for his life in the court presided over by
his Honor, and was sentenced by him to
Imprisonment for lie.
Dick Heath. who was accused Of the
murder of Louis C. McWhirer, and whose
two trials upon the same charge will 90
down in the criminal records of Call
fornia as perhaps the most cele-
brated case ever brought before a
jury on this coast. faced Judge Holmes
upon both occasions. and when, after the
second trial, the twelve jurors, like those
upon the first panel, failed to agree upon
a verdict the court granted the motion for
q change of venue to Los Angeles Coun ty,
where the charges were recently dismissed
upon motion of the prosecution.
A number OF other less celebrated civil
and criminal actions were tried before him
during his term of Office. but the rulings of
Judge Holmes were ever looked upon as
marvels of justice and equity.
The deceased was native of Washing
tor, North Carolina. In Ills early youth,
being deprived of the facilities for ac-
curing an education, he followed in the
line of farming, and assisted in the bust
ness of a profitable granary. Later on he
became seized with a desire for learning,
and applied all Of his earnings in that
direction.
After becoming versed in ordinary texts
he aspired still higher and secured a posi-
ton 10 law office solely for the purpose
of acquiring knowledge of Blackstone.
He proved to be an active and indefatiga-
| BILE student. which was soon observed by
+! his peers, who encouraged him until he
had finally reached that degree of perfec-
tin where his shingle was proudly dis
PLAYED.
When he had established liberal bust
ness he was called to the war. and served
! in the Federal army until 1867, when he
came to California as one of the prime
| leaders of the famous Alabama settlement,
which located in Fresno County.
In 1879 he was member OF the cOnsti-
tuti0nal convention that framed the
charter under which Fresno County Is at
! present governed. In the following year
the constitution was adopted and he was
f, elected the first Superior Judge.
| He served one term and then retired
| from the bench to resume his law practice,
which be successfully carried on until four
years!ago she was again nominated and re-
elected TO his former position, 10 which be
served at the time Of mis- death.
| Judge Holmes has always taken prom
] inent part Ia politics in the southern c0un-