Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-02-15
In MEMORIAM.
The Winnesheik County Bar Pass Res
olutions of Respect to the Late
Judge G. K. Willett.

ViutVuo Vi NScpSSS w SuS LosS
Judge G. K. Willett.
In respectful remembrance to the
memory of the late Judge G. X. Will
lett, at a meeting of the Winnesheik
County Bar M. A. Harmon, John b.
Kaye, Geo. w. Adams and f. p. John
son were appointed committee to
draft resolutions of respect and present
them to the court. At the opening of
court Thursday afternoon Mr.. Harmon,
for the committee, read the following:
IN MEMORIAM.
GEORGE n. wILLETT.
ON December 18th, 1893, at the end OF long,
useful and we'll spent life, the end unavod-
able, which comes TO all, came to Gorge X.
spected members of the Bar Of Winnesheik
county. Iowa. who has been called from prac-
tee here and entered upon his ca eer III the
nnknown be, 9nd the gates OF life ana deati :,
broken, the dust Is returned 10 the earth as u
was and The spirit unto G d who gave IL.
And we who have b en- his associates here,
who knew him best, admired his talents ana
erud ton and honored his integrity and de-
plore his loss, wish hereby to pay tribute to
his memory as a CITIZEN, man, patriot, a
OF the b r spread upon the record of the cour,,
before which he so long, faithfully ana sue
cessfuliy practiced.
He was born at Lacadie, Province of @ uebec,
schools, married at the age OF q; when 30 years
Of age graduated from the Albany. N. ". law
school. in November. 1857, came TO Drcorah
and formed "a co partnership with Judge f. +.
Cooley; afterwards he was Mss 'ciated with
Judge Burdick in the law business; when the
civil war broke out he was one OF the first to
Blue Hills In 1861, which disabled him for ac-
tive service ami he resigned and returned TO
DEBORAH, where he continued 70 practice law
except at times when ne was serving IN an OF
urer and county judge and reelected to the
latter office. In ISL he was elected state sena-
tor and reelected In 1873, serving about 81 x
years In that honorable body, where he mad
an envi'b BILE record for keen repartee, as a
ready speaker anu above all n rugged aud de-
termined honesty.
chosen. All his efforts were directed TO sue.
cess, and with all his qualities OF both mind
and heart, iabored for It's attainment. The
friends of his youth and early manhood, II
death. Let us cast around his foibles, what.
ever they may have been, the broad mantle 4
charity, nor withhold from his memory the
eommenda ton that his virtues claim at our
hands. We mourn his loss to-day, and In
view or his eminent services 10 the state anu
the nal ton, his high character as "A citizen,
yer. his fidelity and generous bearing toward
his brethren OF the profession, has endeared
bis memory to us ALL
JOHN b. KAYE. r,ornr,,,,ae
GEO. w. ADAMS.
E..P. JOHNSON.
In seconding the motion made by M
A. Harmon to. adopt the resolution
John B. Kaye paid the following beau
tifuI tribsse to the memory of the de.
'ceased:
Msyit please, the Court, in seconding the
motion, viii say: had known the man
whose memory we today eulogixe, for nearly
rwenty-seven years. as citizen, lawyer. coun-
sslor and friend. During all those years
had many and excellent opportunities OF OBJ
serving his character as man and his meth
ads and department as lawyer. There are
within the sound OF my voice those who knew
Judge Willett even better than I, as, for more
than forty years, excepting an interim OF less
han year when he was at the front In the
service OF his country during the civil war,
ouly TO be wounded and disabled In his first
Sattle, he had been resident OF this city and
. practitioner In this court. His voice was
AnniliaY within these walls. That voice is now
silenced forever, but some will remember IT.
EVEN and steady tones Of twenty years ago, as
we'll as It's somewhat weaker, but still forceful
snunciations ofthc recent past All who ever
heard him, when urging the claims OF client
viii certify to Judge Willetts freedom from
mere verbal Embellishments, and to his ST. let
adherence to plain and concise statement
and presentation Of the facts and the law, ap-
plicable to his side and theory Of the case
Judge willett ina forensic sense. was not al,
orator. In his addresses. to the jury, one
sould look In vain for the flowers OF rhetoric
or the sounding swell and cadence OF rounded
periods. He took his stand firmly on the
premises he laid down in his cause. and from
these premises he argued with logical reason
ing and force, advancing step by step until he
wrought out his conclusion In a complete and
systemetic whole that was not easily shaken
or put aside. In tho inception OF legal coutro
yersies In which be was consulted, he was ex
remely cautious; Inclined naturally TO be a
peace-maker, and frequently advised settle
nents. 1t was his habit to- subject his clients
IN the frst instance. to a rigid examination
apon the facts, circumstances, and conditions
surrounding the matter in issue, eudea vorine
IN that manner TO reveal the true status Of the
sase. Judge wiilctt was inclined to be con
sentative in the matter Of giving legal advice
or opinions; things which he seldom did with
out advising himself fully In the premises
when fully conversant with the facts and con
ditions, however. he felt very sure of himsel
and gave his Views and opinions, when asked
for, with confidence and assurance, taking 9
stand from which actual trial In open cour
sould seldom dislodge him. Although slow Il
begin hostilities In q legal battle. yet when tn,
issues were made mp, Judge Wiilett advanced
70 the assault OF girded himself for the defenss
Ssthe case might be-. with the courage and
confidence OF the real soldier that he was, and
when once the fight was ON. enjoyed It thor
oughly.
Judge wiliett's thorough knowledge OF the
law, and familiarity. with the practice, en-
sAled himeto take ad vantage Of anyerro OF
mistake OF his adversary. and lead that adver
sary quietly into the ambush which he an
willingly had prepared for himself; yet he
never sought or accepted. other than that
thoroughly honorable. professionsble ad want
age which is the reward of skill and research
and the due ofevery client
believe that no attorney OF this. or any
other. bar ever attempted 10 appeal less TO the
sympathies. passions or prejudioes OF any jury
before which he argued q case than he. He
sought TO convince by logic and sound reason
ing, appealing TO the judgment. rather than
70 arouse enmity to the other side by vehem-
snt assertion, or TO ride rough-shod to victory