Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-15
JUDGE llssEY DEAD.


...,l Away d 4. =. JhnFsdaY, Aiisr Shah
llleess VIII Paeumeaia.
-. ARENAS Libbey Of the supreme
... 4 Maine, whose critical illness from
.mouia has been noted in our columns.
IA 4 tis residence in this city It o'clock
ii, morning.
.lthoush . consciousness Of falling
...,,b and strength had been pressing
g, him for many months, his great
g, mower and high sense Of duty
.,,sd him to perform his accus-
.~,d duties with such apparent cheerful
q. that there was no thought among his
~..;.te, and friends that death was 30
-, Only Friday last. after the business
s.he d.y Wa done, and after a half hour
...d With members Of the bar, he re-
"a l4,om the Court House, which for full
~ century had been the principal scene
III. triumphs at the bar and his service
IN The bench, in the confident expecta-
=, ~ returning on the morrow. He has
ALLEN At the post Of duty. and died, a.
,.rh.leu be would have chosen to die, in
,n. midst of judicial labor. The announce
-.rt At his death will be received through
~ Maine with universal feeling Of sorrow
"a sincere expressions Of regret. The
e,.t. mourns the, departure Of distin-
,,;,hed citizen, and an able and upright
;,d.e. and the court will long feel the loss
Il m eminent and honored associate.
Judee ARENAS Libbey was born at Free
aom ia the county of Waldo on the Sth day
d January, 1925, and his early life was
n..ed IN the 3D. joining town Of Albion in the
couotv Of Kennebec. Here he was educated
n Inc common schools and in the law office
Ms.S. Warren, Esq .,who gave him pains
utiue instruction not only in the law, but in
o.ber branches of education; and 80 assidu-
ou,ly did young Libbey apply himself in the
pur,uit of knowledge that he was admitted to
The bar in this county at the age of twenty
one wears. A recompense for the loss of
college training was offered by his untiring
industry in self-culture and rigid self-dis-
cioliue. He had intellectual endowments
Of ligh order, and in early life manifestly
,cuuired habits of correct observation, and
consecutive thought, for he always possessed
10 remarkable degree that clearness of ap-
mehension which makes knowledge useful,
md that simplicity and force of statement
which gives its power. He possessed ex-
rsordiuary legal acumen, and all the
Qualities of mind requisite for mastering
the science Of the law. Upon his admission
the bar. his strong common sense and
power Of logical reasoning 1t once command
Cd the respect Of experienced practitioners;
and after his removal to this city in 1858
be promptly took rank among the able and
eminent lawyers of the State.
He wis induced to accept position a.
member Of Governor Wells Executive
Council IN 1856. and was prominent and
hhuental member of the commission ap-
pointed by Governor Ding.ey in 1874 to
nrise the constitution of the State; but
be had no taste for practical politics or de-
lis for political preferment. For him the
practice Of his chosen profession brought
with II it, own abundant and satisfying re-
vsrds, and be pursued it with that toll and
devotion which can alone bring success.
But the fame of the practicing attorney,
however eminent in his day, is. ordinarily
but transitory; the memory of his forensic
triumph does not long survive his living
heafen, but the record of an able and
upright Judge is made permanent in the
printed volumes of the State.
Judge Libbey's service on the bench of the
supreme judicial court extended from April
u, lS75,to the time Of his decease, with the
exception Of the brief period from April "a,
1852, to January IL, 1888; and his judicial
decisions published in the "Maine Reports,
comprising this period of is years, bear
fsiuony to bis accurate conception of le-
~ principles. his marvellous grasp of the
uue relation Of facts to the issue, the inde-
rtdence and strength of his convictions,
and the directness and clearness Of his
Mtsments. They are an enduring monu-
nens to his greatness a. q judge.
In bio nature was inwoven that integrity
Of thought and deed and purpose which
nan on pure sense of duty and absolute
hight.
In bic department in social life he was
naturally diguifed but uniformly courteous
ana afable. He was not demonstrative or
sausi'e in expression, but his intimate
nlends appreciated the sympathetic gentle
Rn Of bis nature and the kindness OF his
sait, and knew that under cold exterior,
1een sers.bilities and strong feelings were
sftea concealed.
devoted wife, q son and two grand