The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-08
He Was One of the BeSt-KnOWn
Men in the County of
SOnoma.
PARTICULARS OF HIS DEATH.
A Heart Attack Near the Hour of
Dawn-His Last Words We're:
$50 Let 1t Be-"


lords department of the Superior Court
Saturday. Judges Dougherty and Craw-
ford occupied the bench, and the following
attorneys were present: Thomas Rutledge,
A. b. Ware, J. A. Barham, John Brown.
NJ. Whallon, w. F. Russell, A. G.. Bur-
nett, c. S. Farquar, D. r. Gale, W. F.
Cowan, Ira jerks, J. c. Sims, ]. w. Oats,
A. Johnson, J. R. Leppo, w. E. Neon
nell, A. E. Bolton and others.
The formal announcement of Judge
Pressley's death was made and Judge Rut-
ledge moved that a committee be ap-
pointed to draw up resolutions on behalf of
the bar, expressing deep regret at the
death of the eminent jurist. The follow
ing compose the committee: ]. A. Bar
ham, Thomas Rutledge, J. w. Oates, A. G.
Burnett, J. C. Sims, A. B. Ware, W. E.
Mcconnell.
The members of the bar decided to attend
the funeral in body.
The funeral of the late Judge Presley
took place this morning at IL o'clock from
the First Baptist Church on street. Rev.
S. A. Taft of Alameda, who was an init.
mate friend of the late Judge. conducted
the services, assisted by Rev. DR.. Avery
Shepherd. All members of the local
bench and bar and many friends were
present at the ceremony.
The following persons acted as pail
bearers: Judge Thornton, Judge J. K.
Law, Judge Jackson Temple, Judge
Thomas Rutledge, Judge W. w. Porter, ].
0. Cooper, DR.. R. P. Smith, Captain G.
Watson.
The church was crowded to its utmost
capacity and hundreds could not get in
side. 4 long line of carriages ana vehi-
cles followed the remains to the Rural
Cemetery, where they were buried with
appropriate ceremony.
The relatives present were: Mrs. J. G.
Presley, widow; Mrs. W. w. Phillips of
Fresno, a daughter; C. B., B. c., L. A. and
w. B. Presley, sons; w. B. PRESLEY of
Rio Vista and Harvey Presley of Shasta,
brothers; Mrs. E. G.. Dozier, Rio Vista,
sister; Mrs. E. W. Presley, sister-in-law;
Miss NJ. ]. Bars and Miss L. w. Presley,
nieces; DR.. Dozier, Napa; DR.. Anderson
and James F. Presley, Santa Rosa, and
FL. E. Footman, Oakland, cousins.
Judge PRESLEY was one of the best
known men in Sonoma County and one of
the most highly esteemed. At the last
election he was frequently spoken of for
the Supreme Bench and would no doubt
have been nominated had he wished or if
Judge Jackson Temple had declined.
His death occurred IN his summer camp
near the coast. R. P. Legro has returned
from Cazadero, where he went camping
with the late Judge. A CALL reporter
asked Mr.. Legro as to the particulars of
the Judges death and learned the follow
ing facts:
Judge Presley and his grandson, Willie,
arrived at the camp near Cazadero last
Tuesday night. R. P. Legro and family
arrived there Wednesday night at 6
O'Clock. Fred Clark and his family and
John Baum were camped near by.
On Thursday (the Fourth) it rained all
day and the campers sat around the
fire and talked. Judge Presley was in
good spirits. Mr.. Legro, his friend and
camp companion, was a veteran of the
Blue Judge Presley of the Gray. The
drift of conversation was their war expert
ences Judge Presley said he honored
alike the soldiers OF both armies; each was
true to what he believed to be right. AS
for himself, he buried all the feeling that
led to the struggle. and he added, address
ing Mr.. Legro, II think just as much of
you as though we had fought under the
same flag"
AS usual, the Judge had some good
stories to tell, which enlivened the camp
in spite of the rain, and about 10 o'clock
he retired to his tent, bidding his compan-
ions Goodnight"
About AIS A. NJ. one of the ladies of the
party, whose tent was close by, heard q
cry, Come, come quick"
Mr.. Legro and Fred Clark arrived al
most together at the Judges tent, not
more than three minutes after the call was
heard.
The Judge was sitting on the side of his
cot. AS Mr.. Legro entered the Judge ex-
claimed
ooh, friend! My heart my hearth"
He had been trying to get mustard
plaster, which he had prepared for such an
emergency and had with him. Mr.. Legro
assisted him, and when ready the Judge
applied the plaster himself to his breast.
He still sat on the cotside, breathing heav-
lily, but there was no evidence of pain. He
then said: "Let me lie down."
AS his head touched the pillow he ex-
claimed, at is the end !" and folding his
arms upon his breast, added $50 let it
be-" And with the fast coming light of
day almost in the arms of a companion of
the Blue, the spirit of the ex-Confederate
warrior took it's fight, without pain, with
out fear, as it had walked in it's mortal en-
vironment upon the earth.
His brother, w. B. Presley, and sister,
Mrs. Dozier, who were on their way to the
camp, and later on Judge Rutledge and
Lawrence Presley, younger son, met and
returned with the sad cortege from the
coast hills to Santa Rosa. where many
mourning hearts awaited its coming.
MARE ISLAND NOTES.