The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-10
w. j. WALLACE DEAD
Aged and Well-KnOwn Pioneer
Resident Passes Away.
Sheriff of the COunty-Shetch
of His Career.

Wallace during his residence here, for
many years held a prominent place in the
business and political history of Indianapo-
lis. He was born in County Donegal, Ire
land, in March, 1914, and had he lived until
his next birthday would have rounded out
the measure Of four score years He came
with his parents when but four years old
to this country and settled at Madison, this
State. In his youth, together with his
brother, the late Andrew Wallace, he
learned the business of paper-making with
John Sheets, at Madison, afterward work.
ing in the paper mill of William Sheets. a
brother of the former, in this city.
Mr.. Wallace early showed a prediction
for politics, and was for some time a depu-
ty sheriff in jefferson county. He removed
to this city in 1850, and engaged in general
merchandising. He built up large bust
ness and soon became very popular. Differ
ing from most men of Irish BIRTH he cast
his fortunes with the Whig party, and when
that organization went to pieces he be-
came first a free-soiler and then Repub-
lican. being one of the first to join the new
party.
With no advantages of education, he was
a close observer of men, and his admirable
tact and untiring energy soon made him
y
and no man ever achieved higher popu-
larity in that party in Marion county. 1t
was this popularity that soon made him
the center of celebrated political case one
that has been much quoted during the past
third Of a century in political contests in
Indiana
In 1856, a few weeks after the Presidential
election of that year, Henry F. West, the
Mayor of the city, a Democrat, died in
office The Republicans nominated and tri-
umphantly elected Mr.. Wallace as his sue
cessor, carrying the city by a large major
ity. The place was not congenial to Mr..
Wallace, and after time he resigned,
having been nominated for the Office of
sheriff. He was elected, defeating the Dem
ocrauc candidate, John Gulick.
The defeated candidate interpoSed the
constitutional objection that mo person
elected to any judicial office SHALL during
the term for which he shall have been
profit under the State other than a judicial
office" John c. New, then county clerk,
would not issue commission to Gulick'
who then brought suit to compel him to do
so. The county commissioners assisted by
County Clerk New, had held an early-morn-
canvassing board. obtaining the GER
Wallace Obtained his commission
it was decided that he was ineligible to the
office. Mr.. Gulick rendered his bond to the
clerk, who refused to act in the premises,
and MIR. Gulick was prevented from enter
ing on the discharge of the duties of the
office.
The county clerk had taken legal advice
and was told to put all papers for the
sheriff in a pigeoh-hole labeled ''for the
sheriff" This was sufficient, and Mr.. Wal
lace kept his eye on the pigeon-hole for the
papers.
Mr.. Gulck appealed to the Common Pleas
Court for mandamus. This was refused,
and the case was appealed to the Supreme
Court, where the opinion was rendered
that Mr.. Gulick was not elected sheriff A
compromise was effected between Mr. WAL
lace and Mr. Gulick, and the former con-
tinued to act as sheriff Notwithstanding his
ineligibility.
Mr.. Wallace was again elected in 1850,
After retiring from the sheriffs office he
took an active part in the war for the
Union, and greatly aided in stimulating en-
listments. He was trusted friend of Gov
ernor Norton who time and again sent
him with messages and bearing supplies to
Indiana troops in the field. He not only did
tnlS service without pay, but spent many
thousands of dollars in aid of the cause
In 1864 and 1865 he was one of the three
draft commissioners appointed for this dis
trict.
He made a good and efficient officer in
every position in which he was placed AS
s shenld b ne in aug. reform which
ceSsors. The Criminal Court was quite as
popular in that day now, but he en-
IOfcSu q RUE maze Dy Judge COburn, that
there should be no more persons In the
conrt room than there were chairs for
seating them, and there was standing
room only" under Sheriff Wallace
He was warm partisan and enthusiastic
Republican TO the last and while never
known TO make a set speech from a plat
form, was a. ready talker and Frequently
the center OF group Of sidewalk listeners
who were given the issues of the hour with
convincing force. He was a warm-heartad
generous man, positive in his convictions
but with hearty friendliness that brought
him in sympathetic touch with all classes
OF people. His courage was unuuestioned
active in body and mind TO the last His
interest in public affairs was keen and un-
abated to the day of his death
For several years he engaged in the COM
mission business on South Delaware street
but his last occupation, given up seven or
Washington street, a short distance east of
the city.
He was a charter member of Marion
Lodge +. and a. NJ, and also a charter
member of the Ancient and Accepted Scot
fish Rite, though OF recent years not affil-
iating with the last named society.
MI Wallace was in religious belief a
UniverSalist, holding to his religious belief
with the same tenacity that characterized
all his opinions and delighting in an ar
gunent on religious topics, in which his
keen wit and droll humor had adnlira Bile
play.
He leaves a widow and five children. all
Of whom live in this city, as does his sole
surviving sister, Mrs. Sarah J. Foster the
mother of Gen. r. s. Foster ard his BROTH
eTs. He will be buried from his late resi-
dence at l p. m. tomorrow, the funeral
TO be in charge of Marion Lodge and the
sermon to be preached by Rev. b. F. Fos-