The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-04
Tribute to the Late William Baylor.

Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: William Baylor, of Benton Township, "a.
died Sept. /, 1901. Born in Broadway Warren
county, New Jersey, in 1926, he was therefore -
years old. lie was 4 resident Of Benton for
nearly ffty.two years and resided his broad
acres, where he died, during all that time lie
leaves a widow surviving him and four childrSn,
Mrs G. H. Sopor, John W, W. W Baylor at
tornev. and Margaret Baylor. hardly know
how to express my appreciation Tor the lite OF
this good man. From early youth he realized
the importance OF superior education, and al.
though at that early time facilities were not of.
fcrcd him to secure a college education, yet ny
close application to the study of good books
and the pcrlsal Of the hest daily and weekly
journals he acquired knowledge and wealth
Of Learning that surprised all who knew him.
He possessed prodigiouS memory and en-
dowcd with fine Judgment. lie gave to his chill
drcn that which he had early lorged for, s,i.
pcrior education. But what cndeared him most
| to his family and friends was his uniform kind.
ness and gentle nature and manners.
| During the twenty.SiN ycars that | knew him.
| and | met him around the freside and during
| the trying times of legal contests never heard
| him utter a cross word nor find fault He was
| a most indulGent father and loving husband. In
politics he was an ardent Democrat Of the JEFF.
| fersonian stamp, During the war Of ls6l he took
| an active mart in the discussion Of the policy
| Of that stormy time. and while he believed the
| issues could be settled without the resort 10
| arms. he was still patroit in the triest
| Of the term. | remember how he contributed
few years ago, the finest and tallest pine he
| possessed in his extensive forests to the people
| Of Factorvville Wyoming county. free Of charge,
remarkng at the time to the committee of citi
| zens: ''lt is compensation sufficient to me 10
| know that | can furnish pole for the nag OF my
| country"
| MIR BAYLOR was perhaps as well versed in the
!
| rights as many who make law a profession. lie
| possessed great admiration Tor a wise and hon
est judiciary and a talented advocate. That he
exercised good Judgment in the sels~lion Of
| counsel when he was conducting his numerous
suits at law TO establish his title to what is now
known as Biylor's pond is evidenced from the
| fact that such LAWYERS as =. B. Chase, Lyman
| Hakcs and Judge Charles Rice were at one time
| his counsel
Blu, they as well AZ other subsequent counsel
were not the most important factors in securing
verdcts and final judgments Ills own ripe iudg.
ment and his attention to the various details in
| the preparation Of suits for trial contributed
| largely 10 the success that finally crowned his
| efforts
To Mr. Baylor is the credit that the courts
| have finally held IN that state that one may
| own and control lake Notwithstanding shore
| owners. Lakes since then in many instances have
| become valuable property. His were the first
| suits of the kind within this commonwealth,
And when MIR Baylor once obtained the ad.
| vice Of counsel whom he trusted, nothing would
! deter him from pursuing the course OF the law
| 10 the last resort. And woe 10 the suitor, as
| many in this county can attest, who disputed
| his rights and stood in his way II was Mr.
| Baylor, too, who was the plaintiff in the case
| where the legal liabilities were established rela.
tive 10 the negligent burning of fslow lands and
| the consequent injuries following from escaping
| fires onto the land Of adjoining owners. Only
| recently the ease was adiudicated by the Su.
| perior Court Of this state.
| Yet he was kind. No friend nor foe was ever
| turned empty away from his door who was in
| need. dis forests over which he loved 10 roam