The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-10-18
FELL DEAD IN COURT
The Tragic Death of Mr.. Merritt Briggs in
the Circuit Courtroom Yesterday.
DIED AFTER SPEAKING FIVE MINUTES
The Gay Damage Suit Was in Progress
MIR. ssrigas Had hri,cn 10 Close
most Instantly -Dcnth Of SIR. Wiz
iinIn Z. fInrreiI, Broihc: OF Juror

Suffolk, Va, Oct. l7.--Mcrritt Briggs
is 10 more. lie fell dead at 2:l5 o'clock
this afternoon in the Circuit courtroom.
where he was closing the argument in
the damage suit of John l.. Gay VS.. the
Suffolk and Carolina Hallway. The
scene was II tragic one-the saddcSt ever
transacted between those historic walls
which, could they speak, would reveal
some thrilling episodes Strong men
wept like children. Ladies who came In
offer sympathy or assistance were de-
barred admittancc. The occasion was
TOO much for their sympathetic tcmpcra-
ments.
Judge Rawles, Mr.. Briggs associate.
nad spoken for an hour Mir. Holland
followed i'll speech of equal length
Then MIR. Hriggs, with an air of ease
ana grace. rendered natural by a con-
seriousness of his ability and clouucncc
arose In close for the plaintiff. He had
the last speech and the crowd expected
something good The jury was all at
tention. Within six minutes the orator
was n corpse.
He had concluded his Introductory re-
marks, and was warming up the merits
of the case. He had faced the Jury for
five minutes. AS unexpected as an oIcc-
trio shock his face blanchcd He utter
ed word of excuse to the Judge and
staggered back. He was not allowed to
fall. for Lctchcr Gays arm was around
nm IN an instant. and Mir Briggs was
settled back in n chair. a deep breath
n few Sasps. Il slight uuivcring OF the
muscles and all was over. His heart
had failed to throb, and the lawyer had
made his last plea.
His form was tenderly laid over the
hard benches ana doctor was summon
cd, but in vain. No earthly physician
could call back the spark of life. Ii
had fled. The soul was even then hcint;
waited away among the ethereal cle.
ments. The spectators could hardly re.
alize what had occurred The last act
was of only sixty seconds duration.
and his friends could not believe they
would not rcali@c--that Mr.. Briggs was
dead
The remains were taken To Mr.. briggs
late residence. Bank and lIalladay
streets, ana prepared for burial. Hun
drcds OF citizens followed the body. and
many more called at the house during
the afternoon and evening. The funcr-
al arrangements have not been definitely
made, but II will probably occur Sunday
afternoon If relatives from Il distance
can arrive in time. There will he n
meeting of the Suffolk bar for rcsolu-
tions. and the members will attend the
funeral in body. The floral dccora-
lions ordered are Of Il most beautiful
and elaborate nature. The floral trib-
utes of the bar will he exquisite.
The deceased leaves Il devoted wife
one sister, Mrs. y. s. Elcy; one half sis.
ter Miss .Icuni" Briggs: one brother
Professor w. W. briggs of Locust Dale.
~, l,.IT
r. Evans Briggs. OF Norfolk, and Ray
Briggs. of Suffolk.
Merritt Briggs first saw light Is years
ago at the University of Virginia. Char.
lottcSvillc. His father Or George :
BRIGGS. resided there at The time. and
ii was With those historic environments
that he passed the earlier portion of his
life. The larger portion of MIR. Briggs
career WAS passed in suffolk, where he
was once an insurance agent. ana where
ne formerly edited and published n
newspaper. His legal education was
received at the University.
Mr.. Briggs great life work was low
though he was nearly thirty years OF
age when he selected that as his pro.
fcssion. lie was recognized as one OF
the most astute and eloquent criminal
lawyers in eastern Virginia He has
been associated with and opposed some
Of Virginias best talent, and has nc.
quilted himself with honor in many
hard Tough; battles. He loved law. cs.
pccially the criminal branch, and sue.
cess with him was easy. For three
years lie had been associated with
Judge X. IL. Rawlcs. the firm being
Rawlcs 4 Briggs.
MIR. Briggs was popular, and deserved.
~ SO. He had many fricnds-trl!e
frends-who more kccEly realize his
worth now that he Is gone, and at such
short notice. He was generous. clever
svmpathctic and fun of humanity-a
gentleman.
I.ater-Thc funeral viii take place
from the Christian Church at O'Clock
sunday afternoon. Masons will attend
in a body.
The Gay suit has been Il sadly fatal
one. and not for II long time Will there
he another Nanscmond jury of eleven
members. The twelfth juror was eX.
cuscd to-day on account Of the sudden
death Of his brothcr-W r. Harrcll.
ANOTHER SUDDEN DEATH.
Mr.. William n. HaRrcll was in his
usual health at 10 o'clock last night. At
o'clock this morning he was dead. lie.