The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-02-06
COL O. 7.

We were panied to learn of the death of
Col. Christopher T. Garner, which occur
red ut his home in Richmond, No., on
January 31st, after a short illness.
o fast are the old landmarks of
Western and Northwestern Missouri
being removed Soon, not one of the men
who helped to make the history of this
part of our state, will be left. The grave
is closing over the remains of this noble
band Of men. and ere long nothing but
their names and their deeds will be left
to tell that they lived. II the history of
Western and Northwestern Missouri for
the last fifty years was written, 1t would
be q fair and truthful biography Of those
noble men. The men who made and
helped to execute the laws of our COM
monwealth are the mes to whom we are
mainly indebted for the prosperity and
rapid growth of this part of our state.
Col. Garner nearly closes out the list OF
eminent lawyers and judges who formed
the bench n bar of Upper Missouri in
the good old days. Judges Eldridge Bur-
den and VIM. T. Wood, of our city, and
Judge e. H. Norton, of Platte county, are
about the last.
Col. Garner was q native Missourian,
having been born in old Howard, the
home and birth place of many of Nilsson
rps great sons. He came to Ray county
in an early day, where he ever afterwards
lived, and where he formed that character
of the true man, which he maintained till
the day OF his death. Like most of the
lawyers of his younger days. he did not
have b advantages of great law schools
and universities, nor of extensive libra
rles. He had to gather from Blackstone
and Coke, and from Kent and Story, those
principles OF law and equity that go to
make up the eminent lawyer. Col. Gar
ner, while working on the farm and
teaching school in the old field school
house, began the study OF law, and
guided by the wise counsel and instruc-
ton of such patrons and friends as Geo.
W. Dunn, the poet n %iurist, he laid the
foundation upon which he afterwards
built, and by patient industry and labor
ious study he became the leading lawyer
at the bar at which be practiced, and the
peer of the best of his native state,
Col. Garner was always true to his
client, and at the same time just to his
opponent. Il was often said of him that
he practiced law more for the love of 1t,
and from a desire to sea right and justice
prevail, than from the love of gain or a
purpose to make money. Therefore his
clients were to be found among the poor
and humble, as we'll as among the rich
and Influential.
He served his state as circuit attorney,
and filled the important office with emil
nent success and faithiulness. AS the
attorney for the dsfendapts - those
charged with crime-he was remarkably
successful. So much so, that It became a
proverb that 'the state could hang no
man II Kit Garner was his lawyer"
Col. Garner was a courteous and affable
! gentleman, respectful to the courts, and
pleasant n Agreeable to his brother
lawyer, and up to the day OF his deRth be
retained the confidence and respect OF all
who came In contact with him. He has
left sp Invaluable heritage to his family
and frIends-that of an unbIemished
name and irreproaGhable character.
Col. Garner was not only q good lawyer,
but a good father, q good husband. a good
neighbor, q fast friend, an honest citizen,
and most surely a moral man; and we
sincerely hope and trust was, more and
better than all thegez-a Christian. He
will be Imissed as much and more than
almost any man by the people OF Rich
mppd and Ray county. No more will his
manly form be seen In the court house;
nor will his VOICE be heard before the
juries of his country In the defense of the
right.
We are glad to know that the Licking
ton bar and the judges of our county,
with whom Sad before whom he often ap-
psared Is 3 welcome spa esteemed brother