The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
ROBERT G.. INGERSOLL.
How the Colonel Rose to Emfnence as
n Lawyer at New York.
CHicaeeo rriroa--Harald

Chicago Time s-Herald.
The story of Colonel Robert G. Ingersolrs
retirement from the active practice OF law
has been expected for some time. When ne
removed from his Peoria ..ome some years
ago TO New York he signaliZed his advent
into the Eastern metropolis by entering the
courtroomS OF Manhattan ISLAND and Brook-
Ign with the eXuberance or boy lresh
from college. He arose early in the morn
ingS and long before wagons began drown
ing other noises along William street he
could be found in his office. OFTEN did he
burn the midnight oil so late as TO give the
slanting shadows of the early morning sun
a chance to take its place. His great rep
utation an orator had preceded him ana
his residence in New York was OF less dura-
ton than two months before his fees grew
apace with those of Rufus n. Choate, Emu
Root and William Nj. Evarts. At first he
enjoyed his new srrroGnd fra TIN ne grasfie
prairies of Peoria seemed charming. New
friends sprang up around him as quickly as
do the buds of doSwood trees give birth TO
blooms when an April shower falls upon
them. Lawyers babe him welcome every
where and sedato judges lent him listening
ears.
He was soon the guest OF millionaires;
then he Joined downtown clubs, and so on
Before he had been in New York year he
was well-known figure in the Wall-street
cafes. clubs and all the big courtrooms OF
the island. Then, in an ecstatic moment,
he sold his Illinois home and bought res
ider Ce in Harlem. His house became re-
sort for the merry and the light of heart.
Money fairly leaped into his lap. His law
with clerks and assistant attorneys The
newspapers had something to say about
him every DAY. and for nv, Thi ed aH Me ep
as 1t were-just as a French actress be-
comes the only real star as soon as the
passes Fire island. But the real big law
yers 'snubbed' him. for some reason or
other, saying that he was superficial,
lacked judgment and that his only virtue
lay in the fact that he possessed music,
al voice; that his gestures were graceful
and his rhetoric and diction superbly ele-
CANT. That and nothing else. Colonel In
gersoll soon had neutrality case TO try.
1t came up for argument before the SUI
preme Court at Washington. and two of the
New York attorneys who had failed TO re-
ceive the colonel with that warmth OF cor
diality that makes a man feel welcome were
IN the courtroom at dne 4m rSt OF pe sne
case, and as he arose to address the court
he appeared i'll at ease. He had talked Tor
an hour. perhaps, when he said:
May it please the court to correct me if
I proceed wrongly in this case. 1t is my
first one of such character, and If my pro-
cedure be not in line with the way such
cases are usually presented beg the court
to inform me-.
Without moments hesitation Chief JUS
tice Waite said to him: Proceed, sir. pro-
coed. The court is learning from YOU"
From that moment his ability as lawyer
needed no further proof for the two New
York gentlemen who were listeners to his
argument.
Millionaires and corporations gave him
ally he drifted into criminal practice. He
disliked criminal law and has always enter
tanned a contempt for the usual jury that
and it was this feature of the practice that
made Ii odious to him. Still, he oftentimes
appeared for defendants; never. however,
for the prosecution. Years ago he appeared
as an attorney for the State in murder
case The accused was convicted mainly
because of Colonel Ingersolls appeal to the
jury. The man was hanged. Subsequent
events proved that he was innocent.
Since then the great atheist has
been 10 bont the time he wen
to New York the gambling element along
Sixth avenue and from Fourteenth to Thir
ty-secoEd street had many cases to try. AT
Jake Smiths. who now keeps saloon at the
corner of Twenty-eighth and Sixth avenue,
there one night congregated about twenty
professional counterfeiters, card sharps.
green-goods men and the like. They dis
cussed attorneys, and when the night was
over they had agreed to band together and
to employ Ingersoll to defend them when
legal defense became necessary. The first
case given the lawyer was one i'm which
man named Coulson was charged with
counterfeiting one-thousand-dollar notes.
Coulson had been arrested and a spurious
bill Of the above denomination had been
found upon his person. Colonel lngersoll
appeared for him.
The chief prosecuting witness was a man
named Jordan, a kinsman of Colonel Jor
dan, of the New York subtreasury, who
was an expert In detecting counterfeit coin.
Colonel Ingersoll held the one-thousand-
dollar bill i'm his hand. He would lower it,
raise it again and then place ii in such a
manner as to catch every angle of the eye.
Mr.. Jordan, you say this is counter
feit?" asked the colonel in a very serious
tone as he held the piece of paper in his
hands The reply was in the Affirmative.
Then he lowered his hand that contained
the bill between his knees and asked: do
you mean to say this bill is counterfeit
Mr.. Jordan thought that the colonel had
changed bills on him and replied: NO.
didn't say anything of the kind"
Then, your honor, said Ingersoli, adj
dressing the judge, Il move the case be dis
missed" and before the prosecution could
make a counter move the defendant had
been discharged. AS he started from the
courtroom COulson told his lawyer to keep
the bill as his fee. When the note was
presented at the subtreasury for change 1T
was stamped as counterfeit. Six months
elapsed and one night Colonel Ingersoll was
at Rector's cafe in this CITY, AS he went to
settle his bill for his meal a gentlemanly
appearing fellow approached him and asked
if his name was Ingersoll. Then, before
the lawyer had time to speak, 1000 in bills
were thrust into his hands and Coulson
walked rapidly away, remarking he did,
You will find these good Ones" and they