The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-08-11

He had never been in Columbia
county except to pass through in
travel, but once in his life, and that
was when he was a law student
many years before. The next time
he stopped here was in December
1862, when he came to hold court
after his election.
In September 1861, a committee
appointed by the bar of Columbia
county, not a "selt constituted
committee" went to Laporte to see
William Elwell who was then en-
gagged in court in the trial of causes.
That committee consisted of Robert
F. Clark, a Republican, Col, ]. G.
Freeze, and Wesley Writ. They
| had paper signed by all the mem
bers of the bar of this county, ask
ing him to consent to be a candidate
for Judge. They sent for him to
come to their room at the hotel, but
he, guessing what their mission
was from the letter received from
Judge Woodward, declined to go,
but sent word that they could come
to his room if they desired to see
him. He had had time to consider
the matter before hand, and had
decided to accept the appointment,
if rendered him by the Governor,
and if at the end of a year he did
not like the position, he could de-
cline to accept the nomination.
This was early in the war, and the
salary Of the Judges was then only
two thousand dollars "a year. His
practice was worth several times
that sum, and he therefore hesitat-
ed about accepting, but not know
ing how the war would affect busi-
ness, he concluded that certain
salary, even though small, was
better than uncertain fees, and he
determined to give it a trial. There
fore two days later he wrote the
following letter, the original of
which was found few years ago
among the papers of Robert F.
Clark, and handed to the editor of
this paper.
LAPoRrE, Sept. IS, 1861.
GENTLEMEN,
Your letter Of the 20 inst. desiring
my consent to become the successor
of Hon. w. J. Woodward, President
Judge of this judicial district, in
the event of his resignat ion, is
received.
| The assu ,ance which you give,
that my appointment will be we'll
received by the people without dis
tinction of party-the unaninity OF
the bar in the district upon the sub
ject, and the fact that the district is
one of the most pleasant and desira-
BILE in the state all combine to con-
troll my decision in favour of ac.
cepting the appointment should it
be rendered to me. Whether your
present excellent Judge shall resigu
or not, be assured gentlemen, that
the kind expressions of confidence
contained in your letter are to me
very gratifying.
Yours Truly,
WILLIAM ELwELL.
To Robert F. Clark Esq,
and other members ofthe
bar of Columbia Co.
Judge Woodward resigned, but
the war feeling was so high at that
time that Governor Curtin refused
to appoint Democrat, and so ap.
pointed A. K. Peckham, Republi-
can. In 1862 the Democratic
county convention of every county
in the district unanimously nomi-
mated William Elwell for Judge.
There was no other candidate, and
no one else rad been mentioned fol
the place. Judge Peckham de-
clined to be the Republican candi-
date, and Judge Elwell was unani.
mously elected.
In 1872, without any solicitation
on his part, he was nominated by
both Democrats and Republicans
and received every vote cast in the
district but four.
In 1882, the following correspond
ence took place
Hon. WILLIAM ELwELL,
Bloomsbury, Pa.
DEAR SIR:
The undersigned members of the
Bar of Columbia County, in view
Of the approaching end of your
Second Term, as the President
Judge of the 26th Judicial District
hereby request that you will con
sent to be candidate for re-elec
tion to your present Office.
May 1882:
John G. Freeze, Samuel Knorr
E. R. Ikeler, c. B. Brockway, B
Frank Zarr, Hervey E. Smith, VIM
Chrisman, Paul E. Writ, c. c
/ n