The sun., 1894-12-20

MINNEsoTA,s CHIEF JUSTICE PASS.
ES AWAY.
after an Illness Lasting Several
Months He succumbs to Brfgh1s
Disease-A Sketch of Justice Gill;
aIIanss Life.

st Paul, Dec. 18.-After an illness of
D little over four months, Chief Justice
James Gilfllan passed peacefully
away at 6:04 yesterday morning. His
death was caused by Bright's disease
of the kidneys. Justice Gilfllan was
unconscious for some little time be-
fore the end came. There was no one
present when he died Tut members of
the family. DR. Senkler, who attend
ed him throughout his illness, was
with him until midnight, and was con-
vinced when he went away that death
would come before morning. The news
of his death spread rapidly among the
close friends of the family, and all
day yesterday they kept calling at the
residence to extend their consultations
to the surviving members of the fami-
ly and view the remains of their de-
parted friend. Justice Gilfillan was
an ex-commander of the Loyal Legion
Of Minnesota, the only society of
which he was a member. He could
| never be induced to join societies, be-
cause he felt that it would tend to
cast discredit on his impartial dispo-
sition on the bench. The commander
Of the Loyal Legion has issued call
for all the members to participate in
the funeral services.
James Gilflllan was born in Scotland
In 1920, and the following year his
parents came to this country and set
tied on farm in New York. The boy
attended common school for three or
four months in the year until he was
civ 800 - - I1<1<
the study of law. He was admitted
to the bar at Albany in 1850. In 1857
he came to st. Paul, and Immediately
began the practice of his profession.
But when the call for volunteers
came the young lawyer enlisted in tho
Seventh regiment, Minnesota volun-
teers, on Aug. 9, 1862 This was one
of the regiments that was ordered out
to defend the settlers Of the state
against the ravages of the Sioux In
dians.
He served with his regiment in the
campaign against the Indians in the
fall of 1862 and summer of 1863, and
was in the battles of Wood Lake and
Big Mound. He accompanied his regi-
ment to st. Louis and was in action
with 1t at Harrisburg ard Paduca.
Oct. 8, 1862, he was promoted to cap
tain, and on Nov. /, 1864, he was
mustered out Of the Seventh regiment.
Two days later, Nov. 3, 1864, he Joined
the Eleventh Minnesota regiment and
was commissioned colonel Of that regi-
ment Oct. 13, 1864, having been mus
tered in as colonel.
He was mustered out of the army
with an honorable discharge July 10,
1865. During the last year Of his SER
vice he was In command of the Third
division of the military of Middle Ten
nessee. His knowledge Of law came
into service even on the battlefield,
and he served at some of the most
notable court martial proceedings dur
| Ing the war.
At the close Of the war Judge Gil
| fillan returned to st. Paul and took
up the practice Of law again. In 1869
| he was appointed by Gov. Marshall
chief justice Of the state supreme court
to fill the unexpired term Of Justice
Thomas Wilson, and served on the
bench until 1870. He was again ap-
pointed to fill another vacancy in 1875,
and held the Office by election ever
| since
He failed to receive the nomination
and Judge Start was elected his sue
cessor. 1t Is probable that Justice
| Collins will serve as chief justice un-
til Chief Justice Start is SWORD iD
next month.