The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-03
OBITUARY.
Judge Joseph Holt, Prominent in
Antebellum Days.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-Judge Joseph
Holt, one of the prominent figures in public
terday, in this city, aged eighty-seven
years. He had lived in quiet here for many
years, having retired from active pursuits
shortly after the close of the war. His ca
reer was interesting. and he enjoyed the
rare distinction of being a trusted adviser
of both Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln.
He was one of the men Of Southern birth
who remained loyal to the Union through
out the war, and he did much TO put WASH
ington in a state of preparation for the in
evitable conflict by taking the office of Sec
rotary of War, vacated by Secretary Floyd,
a Southern man, and aiding General Win
field Scott in his work of organizing the
Union armies on a war footing.
Judge Hollis death was no doubt FASTENED
by a fall which he sustained a few days
at the lower steps. he stumbled and fell
heavily to the floor. No bones were broken,
but he sustained internal injuries which led
to his death. 1t is mentioned at the War
Department as a startling coincidence that
all persons connected with the trial or Mrs.
Surratt died from other than natural causes.
General Holt, the last of the historic CO.
terie. met with the accident mentioned
above that unquestionably- FASTENED his
death. Mr.. Holt was regarded In the prime
of his life as an orator or the f1rSt rank.
Some of his admirers declared him the finest
orator since the days of Webster. On the
day on which Mr.. Lincoln was assassinated
Judge Holt delivered an Grafton at Charles
ton, S. c., on the occasion of the raising
of the stars and stripes over Fort Sumter.
He had an extremely happy of
language. He sometimes gave way to his
fancy and his wonderful diction in his off,
cial reports, and there is one report Of his,
made when he was acknowledgement, that
contains some extremely eloquent passages.
In personal appearance Judge Holt was
tail and of commanding figure. His heavy
iron-gray hair, smoothly shaven face and
strongly marked features was such as TO
attract attention to him in any gathering.
He was placed upon the retired list in 1875,
and since that time he had resided In a
niQa gant home on New Jersey avenue He
was married. his last wife being Margaret
Wickliffe, daughter Of Governor Wickliffe,
of Kentucky. She died many years ago. The
funeral of Judge Holt will be held at the
old home, in Breckenridge county, Ken
lucky. where the remains. Will be buried:
Acknowledgements Ruggles issued a general
order this afternoon announcing General
Holt's death to the army and paying a high
tribute TO his memory as a man and as a
soldier.
Joseph Holt was born in Breckenridge
county. Kentucky, in 1907. and was edu-
Gated at St. Joseph's College, Bardstown.
and at Center College. Danville, Ky. In
1928 he began the practice Of law in Eliza
bethtowr, Ky. He moved TO Louisville in
1892 and to Port Gibson. Miss, in 1885,
where he won prominence in his profession.
He returned to Louisville in 1872, and
after a trip TO Europe was appointed Com
missioner of Patents by President Buch-
anan in 1857, from which office he was
promoted to that of Postmaster-genera in
1859. In 1866. when John w. Floyd with
drew from the Cabinet. Mr.. Holt assumed
charge of the War Department. He active
ly co-operated with Scott in providing
against hostile demonstration at the in
auguration of Lincoln in 1851. In 1862 Pres
ident, Lincoln made him judge advocate
general o. the army, with me rank OF
colonel, and in 1864 he was put at the head
OF the bureau Of military justice, with the
rank of brigadier general. He had previ-