The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-25
THE MARION COUNTY BAR In 1857.
Thomas ID. waIpoIe.

Quite a number OF the most successful
and distinguished members Of the old bar
came to Indianapolis after they had
achieved marked success in other parts Of
the State Governor Baker had been a
leader OF the Evansville bar; Thomas A.
Hendricks and Abram w. Hendricks, Judge
Roache, Joseph E Mcdonald. David Nc
Donald. Oscar B. Hord. Martin M. Ray.
Walter March, General Dumont, Thomas d,
Walpole and Oliver b. Torbet were
leaders in their respective circuits befo
they came to reside here. The rapid grow
Of the city and the increase In litigatiJ
and the fact that the United States courl
and the Supreme Court held their session
here drew to Indianapolis men OF ability
from all parts OF the State.
Thomas d. Walpole possessed some re-
markable characteristics. He had been
king of Hancock county for some years.
and occasionally went to Shelbyville. where
he disputed the primacy with Thomas A.
Hendricks and Martin NJ. Ray. He was
not at his best when he came to Indian
apolis, and In his new field he did not pos-
sess that almost absolute sway which he
was wont to exercise over the juries OF
Hancock, where he knew everybody. HIS
personal appearance was such as to at
tract attention wherever he might be- or
medium height hair reddish and inclined
to curl, face clean-shaven. ford complexion.
long-bodied, short-limbed. somewhat in
clined to corpulency, short stopper. wear
ing the regulation broadcloth dress suit,
ruffied shirt bosom, silk hat with brint
high, exposing his capacious forehead, and
a pair of eyes always twinkling with in
telIigence and mischief. He had habit in
his speech OF dropping the final "g" in
words ending in ling" Tom Corwin al
ways did II. and II is quite common now
with educated Englishmen. Some called it,
affectation, but with Walpole It was a
habit that had become second nature at
least. / remember an instance when Il
casioned great deal OF merriment IN the
court room. A criminal had come
here for trial from Hancock county on a
change OF venue. and the Hancock lawyers
came over with 1t. Judge David Gooding
and walpole were pitted against each
other walpole's client. Andrew ]. Denni-
son, was charged with shooting at the
prosecuting witness, and perhaps wound-
ing him with intent to commit murder. The
plea was self-defense and the shooting
occurred upon country road. A woman
transaction heard the firing Of the pistol
After her examination in chief she was
alton Rising from his seat at the end
of the long table furthest from the wit
ness stand and L., thrusting his hands into to
walked toward the witness while he asked
this question: Madam, whereabouts i'm
n Of the pistol did y yos s see Andrew
Dennison lastr Whole resumed his seat
and waited san;ss for .SS the wtnsss
Judge Gooding. interposeo, saying: Il do
not understand your question, Mr.. Wal.
pole, and do not think the witness does
Walpole arose again and said We'll.
madam, to bring myself down to the COM
prehension OF Judge Goodin', was he goin'
Governor Hendricks once told me that
when in his prime and on the circuit Wal
he had ever met before country jury. Nv
family. He knew what difficulties the
family n Hs baS % sha tner Teie,o ns
predictions. and every fact which ~Qie}
give an advocate a clew 10 49,
When a hostile witness
he would. in a supsar(
f.