The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

over Blackstone and the other great
writer's on the law. This was indeed
difficult task for any young man. no mat
ter how brilliant. after tine wearing
work in the telegraph office, and 1T is q
strong evidence Of the honorable ambi-
ton that filed the mind Of the young
operator.
lin January. 1872. he returned to
Washington, y. c., his parents having
in the mean time removed 20 their old
home, and began at once the study
of law under the able tutorship of Mr..
James T. Shepherd, who was then prac-
ticing law in that town. After eontin-
uing his studies for some months. he APP
Piled for and obtained his license to
practice law from the Supreme Court in
June. 1872 In the same class were
Judge w. A. Hoke, T. IT. Dortch, s. b.
Spruill and other men who have since
become distinguished members of the
bar. The young lawyer now settled in
Washington, his old home, for the prac-
tice of his profession. No other spot
could have 50 many pleasant memories
for him, or find so warm a place in his
affections.
In November 1872, he formed a law
partnership with the Hon. II. b. Satter-
thwaite. The latter gentleman had long
been recognized as the Nestor OF the bar
and facile princeps Of all the lawyers or
his time and section. The firm carried
on very large and profitable practice,
and the partnership continued until the
death of Mr.. Sattertwaite in March,
1875. After this sad event Mr.. Brown
continued the practice alone. The years
IL, Of
action and honors for him. The old land
marks at the bar Of Washington, bar
whose members have always been noted
for aggressiveness and ability, We're rap
idly passing away. Judge IL. j. Warren,
the learned lawyer and dangerous an
tagonist Col. ID. NJ. Carter, the broadest
and brainiest lawyer in the eastern part
Of the State; Major Thomas Sparrow,
the eloquent pleader and literateur, were
all soon to pass lover the river Judge
w. b. Rodman was at that time earning
distinction upon the Supreme bench.
The law Is an absorbing occupation,
and Judge Brown, ever since he began
its study and practice, has devoted him
self, heart and soul, to the profession,
and he has never permitted himself to
be diverted from it to any great extent
lie tDHiiiHeu 10 ENJOY. as the years
rolled on and on, very large and infu-
entail clientage. As the older members
We're removed by death, he came soon
to be the leader Of the local bar, posi-
tion of no mean distinction among other
able and industrious lawyers He was
county attorney during most Of these
years.
Judge Brown, as an ardent Democrat,
always took an active interest in politics.
During the first campaign after he be-
came a member of the bar, he thorough
" canyassed the entire county of Beau
fort. He rode horseback, going into
every locality, and by his earnestness
and zeal he was instrumental in win
ming the first victory for Democracy.
He followed Judge Shepherd as chair
man of the Democratic county executive
committee and held this position until
called to the BENCH He was the Demo-
cratic Presidential Elector for the First
District in 1883, and in the same year
made a brilliant canvass for his party.
He was elected a district delegate to
the National Democratic Convention
held in Cincinnati in 1880, when Han
cock was nominated. and was delegate
at large to the Chicago Convention in
1894, when Cleveland was nominated.
He is fine organizer and born tao
tician, qualities that make him invalua-
bic IN managing campaigns, most diff
cult work.
Early in 1888 he formed a law partner