The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-03
GALLERY OF PORTRAITS
MR.. BROWN SEEKING PICTURES OF
SUPREME COURT CLERKS.
One of william Banker Beach, 1852
50, Received Yesterday from
Providence, II. L.

II am exceedingly anxious 10 learn the
present residence of some relative or friend
of E. Macdonald. who was the first clerk
of the Indiana Supreme Court under the
first State Constitution from 1917 10 1920"
said Robert a. Brown. clerk of the Supreme
Court, last night. Mr.. Brown said that
when he took office he found the portraits
Of a majority of his predecessors hanging
on the walls of the various rooms belong
ing TO the clerks suite and decided 10 at
tempt TO obtain a complete gallery of por-
traits of clerks of the Indiana Supreme
Court. The portraits TO be found in the
office now are those of Laz Noble. who
was clerk from 1864 to 1865; Theodore w.
Mccoy. 1S6S-72: Charles Scholl. 1s72-76;
Gabriel Schmuck, 1S76-S0; Jonathan w. Cor
DON, who served by appointment from 1881
TO 1882 after the death Of Daniel Royse. of
Lafayette: Simon p. Sheerin. from 1882 to
1856, and Andrew NJ. Sweeney, from 1890 to
1894.
To carry out his project Mr.. Brown imme-
diately entered into communication with
such of the ex-clerks as are still living and
with the relatives and friends Of those that
are dead with a view to securing portraits
of the former officials. He has secured a
promise from Gen. John Coburn and Henry
Coburn that they Will furnish a portrait
of their father, Henry p. Coburn, who held
the office of clerk of the court from 1920 to
1852. thirty-two years. which was longer
than the term of any other man that held
John p. Jones, who was clerk from 1860
to 1864, is now a helpless invalid and re-
sides at Lagrange. His portrait will be
sent to Mr.. Brown in a short time. The
portrait of the late Daniel Royse was re-
Gently placed in the clerks office by his
son. Frank Royse. of Lafayette. Capt.
Alexander Hess. who was Mr.. Brown 5
immediate predecessor in the office. has
signihed his intention to have a portrait
painted for this purpose. Mr.. Brown also
has received d promise from William /;
Noble. who was clerk from 1856 TO 1890, and
who now resides in Richmond, to supply
his portrait for the gallery.
placed in the Office the fist vii be complete
with the exception of the portrait OF MIR.
Macdonald. of whom. as. has already been
stated. no trace can be found. Mr.. Brown
has made the most diligent effort to dis
cover the whereabouts of some relative
or friend of Mr.. Macdonald or TO obtain
a picture from which a portrait of the eX-
clerk might be made. but without success.
MR.. BEACHS PORTRAIT COMES.
An addition to the gallery of portraits
of Supreme Court clerks was received yes
terday when an admirably executed por-
trait of the late William Banker Beach,
clerk from 1852 To 1850, came by express
from his family home in Providence, r. l..
The portrait was painted in oil by Jackson,
of Boston, an artist Of note. Unfortunately
the heavy gilded frame surrounding the
picture became badly damaged in transit
by express from Providence and the pic
ture will have TO be returned East to have
another frame placed ON 1t. MIR. Brown
said that the frame was one OF the richest
that can be purchased.
The portrait was the gift of eX-Clerk
Beach's son. Charles II. Beach, a prominent
insurance man of Providence. In a letter
TO Mr.. Brown Mr.. Beach said: Il take
great pleasure in presenting my fathers
portrait 10 my native State. the one he
loved so wei and i'm which so many years
Of his active life were spent. The family
are deeply moved by the honor shown one
whose memory they so revere and CRATE
fully acknowledge your courtesy"
An interesting fact about Mr.. Beach. the
subject of the portrait received yesterday,
is that he was the first man 10 be elected
clerk of the Supreme Court of this State
under the present Constitution. He served
from 1852 to 1850. Prior 10 the adoption OF
the present Constitution clerks were APP
pointed by the court and held office at the
pleasure of that tribunal.
At the conclusion OF his term of office
Mr.. Beach went 10 Providence. r. l.. where
he remained until his death a few years
ago. He became prominent IN Democratic
politics TN that State and at one time OBJ
tanned the nomination for Governor. but
was defeated in the ensuing election.