The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-08-13
DEATH OF JUSTICE JACKSON.
A VACANT CHAIR ON THE FED.
ERAL SUPREME BENCH.

DhAIH Of- -JUSTlUE JACKSON.
A VACANT CHAIR ON THE FED
ERAL SUPREME BENCH.
The Distinguished Jurist Passe
Away Quietly at His Suburban
Home Near Nashville Sketch ofHi
Life and Public Services.
Hon. Howell e. jackson, Associat,
Justice of the Supreme Court of tn,
| United States, died at his residence
| West Mead, six miles west of Nash
vile, Tenn, on the Sth inst, in ths
64th year OF his age, of consumption
Judge jackson had been in failing
health for the past four years, but il
has been only in the past eight or ter
months that the progress of the dis
ease caused his family and friends any
uneasiness. Last year he went on q
l.ngth trip to the far West in search
of health. Later he wenU to Thomas.
vile, Ca, where it was hoped the mild
and yet bracing climate would restore
his one-time vigorous constitution.
The trip did him little good, and after
time he was brought nome. AT his
old home Judge Jackson seemed to i'm
prove slightly, until he went to Wash
ington to sit in the second hearing of
the income tax cases. He stood that
trying trip only fairly we'll, anu after
his return home appeared to lose
strength rapidly. Nevertheless Judge
jackson never took to his bed until
within week of his death. Since that
time his family and friends realized
that the end was near, and his death
was not unexpected.
Howell Edmunds jackson was born
in Paris, Tenn. April 8, 1882, so that
m in his ot~ f,,-t Ia. Al,
time OF his death. Justice Jackshn
was a classical scholar. graduating
from the West Tennessee College in
1913. He studied law two years at the
University of Virginia, ar q in jack son,
under his kinsmen, Judges S. A, WUt-
ten and $. ~. Brown. He graduated
from the Lebanon Law School in 1856
in which year he located in jackson
and engaged in the practice of his pro-
fesslon: removed to Memphis in 1859
where he continued tho practice of
law; served on the Supreme bench by
appointment on two occasions, and was
once IL prominent candidate for Su-
preme Judge before the nominating
conventions; relocated in Jackson in
1876: was elected to the State House Gt
Representatives in 1880 on the State
credit platform; was elected to the
1881 and served until April r. 1856 ;
was appointed United States Circuit
Judge by President Cleveland and
nominated for Associate Justice by
President Harrison was confirmed by
the Senate February Is, 1893, and en-
tered upon the duties Of the office
March !, 1893.
Judge jackson was twice married,
the first time to Miss Sophia Miller.
daughter of David b. Miller ban.
ker of Memphis, who did in 1873
OF this union four children were born,
as follows Henry, Mary, William H.
and Howell jackson. Henry jackson
is at present soliciting freight agent Of
the Southern Railway. with head.
quarters at ATLANTA: w. II. jackson is
district attorney OF the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad, at Cincinnati; !;
Howell is manager Of Jackson Cotton
Mills, at Jackson, Tenn.
In 1876 Judge jackson married Miss
Mary E. Harding, daughter Of Con.
VIM. e. Harding. OF this union three
children survive-the Misses Elizabeth
and Louise Jackson and Harding A.
Jackson. With the exception Of NJ iss
Elizabeth and Wm. II. Jr., who are in
Europe, the children were at the bed
side when the distinguished sufferer
passed away
When Justice jackson was so seri-
ously i'll last sping that he was not eX-
pected to recover, the nanc of his sue.
cessor was considerably speculated On.
The idea was suggested by some that
the President would again name
Messrs. Peck ham or Hornblower, of
New York. while the selection of "a
man from the West fell to Don Dickin-
son. Postmaster General Wilson was
strongly spoken of as amo ong the posi-
bilities, while the majority of opinion
was that Secretary Carlisle could have
the place if he wanted it. Mr.. Carlisle
would be especially eligible, as he
would be appointed from the same dis.
trict that the death Of Justice jackson
has made vacant.
The last time that Judge jackson
was in Washington was on the occasion
OF the rchearing in the income tax
last May. He had been absent from
the city and from the bench since IT,
preceding fall, when, soon after the
convcning Of the October term Of
court, he had been compelled to 20
South on account of his rapidly declin.
ing health. During his absence there
had been contradictory reports as tC
his physical condition, but the prevail
ing opinion among bis colleagues on
the bench WAS that he would ncvcl
again be able to resume his scat.
Mr.. Jackson had the reputation il
Washington, and especially about the
Supreme Court OF being very sensitive
concerning any discussion OF his he2ltl
in the public press, and he referred Il
the subject very sparinsly In his cou
versation. The otner members of the
court ware, therefore, poorly advised
as to his condition. This state of af
fairs is said 10 have been the reason
for the equivocal character OF the an
nOuncement OF the decision to grant ;
rehearing in the income tax case
which OF necessity depended npoI
Judge Jackson's presence.
tie was in Washing ton on the OcCa
sion of the rchearing for several day.
, aud gave his attention assiduOusIy t,
the income tax cases. He sat through
the argument, which continued fol
three days, took part in the cOnsulta
tion of the court, and, when the day
| arrived for the announcement of tht
decision, not only listened patiently t.
! the opinions Of most of the other mem
| bers Of the court, but delivered IL Wig
orous opinion of his own in support o
the validity of the law. This occur
red on the goth of May, and was hi
last public appearance. He returned II
his home in Tennessee late in May
When Judge Jackson was in Wash
| ington on this occasion it was eviden
to all who came in contact with hin
that life was slowly but surely ebDin