Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-12-20
'GILFILLAN is DEAD.
MNNEsOTA's CHIEF JUSTICE PASS
ES AWAY.
Atter an Illness Lasting Several
Months He cum to Brighfs
Dise"se-A Sketch of Justice Gil
fiian's Life.

st. Paul, Dec. 1S.-After an illness Or
o little over four months, Chief Justice
james Gilhllan passed peacefully
away at 604 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 10 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-
vince when he wen 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
20 the surviving members of the fami-
ly and view the remains Of their de-
parted friend. Justice Gilfllan 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 h Loyal Legion has issued a call
for all the members to participate in
the funeral services.
James Gilfllan was born in Scotland
In 1879, and the following year his
parents came to this country and set
tied on a farm in New York. The boy
attended common school for three or
four months in the year until he was
sixteen years Of age, when he began
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 the
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
dams.
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 it at Harrisburg ard Paduca-
Oct. s, 1862, he was promoted to cap
tain, and on Nov. 1, 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. IL, 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
fllan 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 our
to fill the unexpired term of Justice
, Thomas Wilson, and served on the
bench until 1870. He was again APP
pointei to fill another vacancy in 1875,
J 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 sworn Ill
next month.