The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-31
THE NEWS AND OBSERVER TUESDAY MORNING, 81

IN 1857 DIR. Shaw defeated the late
Chief Justice Smith, by a majority OF
thirty-eight votes. In 1859 Judge
Smith defeated DR. Shaw, by majority
Of five hundred and fourteen votes. DIR.
Shaw was Colonel of the Sth Regiment
OF n c. State Troops, and was killed
at Bachelors Creek, near New
bern, N. G.
In height Colonel Outlaw was six
feet two and a half inches, but was very
slender, hazel eyes, red hair, with fair
skin, generally accompanying hair Of
that color. He was extremely near
sighted, and always wore spectacles,
was always dyspeptic, and in his latter
wears was a great sufferer from rheu-
matte govt. He was quite neat in his
appearance, and dress. He generally
wore a blue broadcloth dress coat, with
GRASS buttons-walked quite erect; and
with dignified mien, and was likely to
attract attention, as he passed along
to the courtroom with his green baiZe
bag containing his books and papers
He practiced law, principally, in the
courts of BERTHE, Hartford, Gates,
Chowan and Washington counties.
Among his associates at the bar, were
Judges Augustus Moore, Robert X.
Heath and Chief Justice Smith, Gov.
Bragg. Patrick ii. Winston, Gather of
DR.. Winston, of the University OF North
Carolina. ex-Judge Winston, and +. y.
Winston, Esq, of Windsor)-a very
sound lawyer, Judge II. A. Gillian
Joseph S. Cannon, Thos. nj. Garrett,
Frank Byrd, and Judge David a.
Barnes.
Judge Thos. c. Fuller said to me re-
Gently that he had a vivid recollection
Of Colonel Outlaw-and of his power be-
fore a legislative body. At a session OF
the legislature, many years back, when
Colonel Outlaw was member, he
Judge Fuller with several others
from Fayetteville, were urging the
passage of a bill authorizing Cumber-
land county to levy a special tax Tor
some specific purpose. Much feeling
and interest were engendered by the
supporters of the bill, and such was the
evident result of the work done, that 1T
was conceived the bill would pass with
but slight opposition. Just before the
vote was called, a tall slender, red
haired man, with gold spectacles, arose
and addressed the assembly: Mr..
in a tax bill for the people. have
never known any bill that provided for
increased taxation that afforded any
music for the people" He made an
extended powerful argument against
the bill, and when the vote was taken,
it was KILLED as dead as Hector" and,
added Judge Fuller, when he finished,
he had entirely convinced me that he
Il
consider that Colonel David Outlaw
was one among the ablest men OF his
day and generation"
Colonel Outlaw was a well equipped
LAWYER. a good speaker, not particu-
larly fluent, but powerful in argument.
His language was simple but very
forcible, and no lawyer who practiced
in his courts felt easy or safe when he
had the last speech in a case 1t was d |
common saying among the lawyers:
'Outlaw has the last speech, don't |
make him mad"
He presented his cases to the jury |
with force and power, and when thor
oughly aroused and warmed for the |
fray, was the full match for any fellow
member at the bar. / have heard him
at times. when conceived that no man
could be more powerful or effective IN
or present his case with |
more imprisoned strength and earnest |
ness But his chiefest attractions We're
his noble nature his honesty, his in
tegritv, his purity of thought and ac-
ton, and his complete antagonism to
or guile: for in no one
were blended more those qualities that
dignity and adorn a gentieman's walk
and thought and conversation.
The young members Of the bar held |
him IN peculiar regard When young |
lawyer appeared at the bar, his cour- |
tesy and Kindness were extended--he |
sought his acquaintance, and gave him |
and advice, and these |
Young members grew up with him in |
stronger attachment, day by day.
When much excited in debate, he |
would become very impulsive and, at |
times, was unmindful Of his heated and |
spirited utterance. On one occasion, at |
Hartford court, while prosecuting one |
Thomas johnson, for stealing a key Of |
lard, or as in that day twas called, '.keg |
OF fat, the main evidence against the |
accused was the empty key found in |
his garden. The lawyers on the other |
side were making strenuous efforts to
acquit their client and we're pushing l
the Colonel hard on this point, and he, /
being much wrought up and excited,
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