San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-10-24
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF OUR CON-
GRESHAM G. q. N00NAN.
Has Always Served the People as Worthy
representative Sketch of His
Noble Life.
From the Daily Express. ]

city-a man so kind and dignifie,
that no one but a ruffian wOul'
pass him by without APP leasan
salutation. But Judge Noonan'
record runs back to a time befOr,
the war, when he began to prac
tice law in Medina county, the1
an Indian frontier. He had 81
gained in the confidence of the
people of the frontier that he was
urge to run for District judge
early in the war and was elected
over Judge Buckner and served
in that capacity throughout that
trying period. The people knew
that they had in him a judge
that would not use his office for
oppression or wrong. 1t was a
period that tried mems souls
when the weak needed protection
and the strong needed restraint.
At the close of that terrible war
lawlessness and violence swept
over the frOntier-the spirit of re-
venge for the past wrongs was
rife, all restraints were broken
down, neither life or property
were safe. 1t was then that Judge
NOOnan proved himself cOurag-
eOus, unfiinching magistrate. He
was warned to avoid certain
counties; that he would not be
permitted to hold court or to en-
force the law. He went unat-
tended to the scenes of greatest
violence and by his frmness not
only held his courts but he
brought the desperate to justice.
He restored peace-the rule of
the law, and confidence and Sc
curity were established, where
only violence, murder and rapine
had prevailed. No wonder the
people of the mountain counties
love the man who came to their
recue at tnaI time.
Judge NoOnan was Union man
and this sentiment was shared in
by a majority of the people he
served so faithfully and heroical-
ly during the war.
After the state had been re-
stored to civil government, a con-
stitution adopted, AN election held
and a state administration estab-
lished, Judge Noonan was, under
the then provision of the consti-
tuition, nominated for the judge
ship of this judicial district, and
confirmed by the state senate.
This was in 1870. He held under
this election until the judges were
made elective by the people I'M
der the constitution of '76. From
that date until he resigned in
1894, Judge Noonan was elected
by the people of this judicial dis
trict without a break in the re-
cord. So strong was the Judge
in the affections of the people
that even the potent name of De-
mocracy was unable to shake
him from his place.
On two separate occasions the
Democratic party made nomina-
lions against Judge Noonan, and
although the diastrict was large
ly Democratic the experiment
was a disastrous failure. Judge
d. Y. Ports, a most excellent
gentleman, and a profound law
yer, was one of these opponents,
but he was defeated by a crush,
ing vote. Next came the Hon. A.
w. Houston, not only a good
lawyer, but a shrewd politician
with a strong personal backing
Mr.. Houston stumped the district
and apparently made it hot fol
the old Judge, but when the votes
were counted Houston was no
elected by a big majority. 1t wa
no discredit to Mr.. Houston tina
he was beaten by Judge NOonal
even in a Democratic district.
When Judge Noonan first wen
on the bench in this city it wa
before a strong bar, Judge Thos
J. Devine, S. G. Newton, i. I
Simpson, James Denison, RusseI
Howard, Columbus Epson, Jaco
Waelder, Ditmar, n. o. Gree
and a score of other great light
most of whom have gone to the
. eternal rest, were practitioner
and his ability was question:,
: but as time went on Judge No
il nan waxed strong; his integrit
It of character, his well balance
o mind, freedom from prejudice al
a ripe experience of men and a
fairs, added to a knowledge
10 the law, won for him the respe