Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-01-30

Hon. Charles Wesley Walton died st
his home in Deering last Wednesday
evening, Jan. 24th, AZ the advanced age
of so years, after very brief illness
Judge Walton was born In Mexico, in
this county, Dec. 9, 1919. He bad had
but slight educational advantages, at
tending district school for short time.
At the age Of Ia he left home 70 earn his
own living. he went 10 Dover, y. H.,
where he obtained work la printing
Office, remaining about two years. la
August, 1885, he came TO Paris Hill and
entered the Oxford Democrat Office,
working IT his trade here two years. be
afterwards worked At his trade In Bos-
ton, and then taught school several
wears, after which he entered the law
Office OF the late Isaac Randall Of Dix
field where he made rapid progress, and
In 1913 WAS admitted 20 the bar, and
formed 8 partnership with his Instructor
His success as a lawyer was great and
immediate. He was elected county al
torney OF Oxford County 10 lSi7, serv-
ing four years, from lSts TO 1852.
In 1855 he removed 70 Auburn, aud In
1857 WAS elected county attorney for
Androseoggin County, serving three
years. The Office of county attorney In
the two COUNTIES gave him the manage
ment OF several important criminal cases
and brought out his strong points IS a
LAWYER, holding his own against some Of
the sblest LAWYERS In the state.
In 1850 he was elected 70 the 37th
congress from the Second Maine Dis
trict. His reputation had gone before
him, and he was placed on committees
calling for men Of legal ability and
psinstaking industry.
ssSome way" he said in after years,
when recalling the events of his active
life, ''they found that at least L WAS
willing 20 work hard
His marked judicial temperament and
his recognized ability a. lawyer led
the members Of the bar OF Maine 10 ask
for the appointment OF Congressman
Walton 70 I'll vacancy on the bench OF
the Supreme Court, and May IL, 1852, he
was appointed BY Governor wsshourn
an associate justice of the Supreme Ju-
dicisl Court, and he held bis high office
BY successive appointments for thirty
three years, and WAS the oldest OF the
justices Of the Supreme Court when he
finally retired.
When he accepted his last appoint
ment he said: II thought at first that
/ would retire, but | concluded that
would like 20 hear the lawyers argue the
nice points of law y little longer" His
last term was remarkably rich In nota-
bic decisions, and his great legal knowl-
edge WAS never displayed 70 better adj
vantage.
Judge Walton commanded universal
respect. A decision came after point
was stated a. the thunder follows the
lightning, yet but very few OF his de-
cisions were overruled. He was a msn
OF positive convictions, q picturesque
personality, man Of great originality,
OF marked dignity, and withsl of very
kindly nature. He was loved as man
and honored as a judge.
Sometimes he seemed TO his associates
Of the bench, as well a. 70 members Of
the bar, 20 De little harsh, and il was
perhaps this trait in his strong character
that prevented his appointment 10 the
chief justiceship when Chief Justice
Appleton retired, an office which many
believed Justly belonged 20 Judge Wal
ton, but his absolute integrity was
known 20 all menu and no Judge Of the
Supreme Court WAS ever more honored
than he. He has left lasting monu-
ment on the jurisprudence OF his native
state, and long list OF notable opinions
enrich the reports Of Maine and the laws
Of the country.
After his retirement from the bench
he acted IS referee In number of very
important cases and showed that his
mental powers were undimmed BY time.
He retired gracefully, sud during the
closing months OF his life lived az his
beautiful home in Deering among his
books. His boyish ambition WAS 10 be
q Judge, and Il Was fully satisfied.
Old as he WAS, the news OF his death
was received with profound sorrow, and
feeling that q strong personality Is lost
TO the state. 10 Oxford County, particu-
larry, where Judge wslton's esrly tri-
umphs were accomplished, he will be
mourned ss personal friend. Consid-
ering his advantages, no Oxford County
young man has ever achieved greater
success in life than has Judge Walton.
As q lawyer he had few equals, and as q
Judge he stood second 10 none with
whom he has been associated.
In the humble opinion Of the writer
no ADLER mind nor sharper intellect has
ever been produced 10 the long and dis
tinguished list Of oxford Bears and
few indeed are those among his scqusint-
ances who cannot with sincerity and
without effort drop tear over the grave
Of Charles Wesley Walton.