The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-16
DEATH OF w. P. FISHBACK
HE WAS ONE or THE BEsT-KNOwN
LAWYERS IN THE STATE.
For Years a Law Partner of General
Harrison and Albert G. Porter
Sketch Of His Life.


has been prominent from State. national
and international standpoint. Although
Mr.. Fishback has been in declining health
for two years and a half past. his end
came with a suddenness that shocked and
appalled, even those who had watched by
his bedside with the most unremitting fidel-
ity. When the papers on Monday reported
that he was In dying condition, his fam
lily and friends were indignant over the
publication. and denied it's truthfulness
with vigor. declaring that Mr.. Fishback
was on the road to recovery. being able to
sit UP in bed and read.
AS matter of fact he did sit up and
look at the morning paper yesterday morn
ing only a few minutes before the occur
renee of the hemorrhage which brought
death sooner than any one had anticipated.
After the operation which was performed
on Mr.. Fishback in New York the 18th of
last November. it became certain that he
could never hope to recover. He was af-
fiicted with a cancer in the intestinal re-
gion, and the surgeons who performed the
operation found 1t useless to carry their
work further, as the matter had pro-
crossed too far to be amenable to human
effort. Despite his great sufferings. Mr..
Fishback's remarkable serenity of dispo-
sition remained his most lovable attribute
TO the very end. He was member of the
Second Presbyterian Church. but his warm
friendship FOR Bishop Chatard and Father
Bessonies led him frequently during the
last few years of his life to attend the
Church of SIS. Peter and Paul. Mr.. Fish
backs high literary attachments drew him
quite naturally into the membership of
most of the city's prominent clubs whose
objects are the promotion of sodality and
literary culture. Not merely was his name
enrolled but he was also an active worker
in the Indianapolis Literary, the Fortnight
ly, the Century, University and Commercial
Clubs and in the German House, having
but recently withdrawn from these organ
izations on account of his broken health.
The funeral services have not been def
nitely arranged, but will probably be held
ct the family home tomorrow afternoon,
and will be strictly private, in accordance
with Mr.. Fishback's expressed wishes be-
fore his demise.
The Indianapolis Bar Association will
meet in the United States courtroom this
afternoon at 3 o'clock to take appropriate
action on the death of Mr.. Fishback, who
was one of it's most honored members.
William Pinckney Fishback. fondly and
Familiarity known to intimates as 'Pinck"
Fishback, was born in Batavia. Clermont
county. Ohio, Nov. IL. 1881. His educa-
ton was obtained in the public schools
of his home county. at Miami University,
Oxford, o., and at Farmers (now Belmonp
- t1t, 1.
a graduate, class of 1852. He and his
father Judge o. t. Fishback. formed q
partnership for the practice of law in Ba-
tavia w. p. Fishback was prosecuting
attorney of Clermont county for two years.
His winning personality Is we'll demon
strated by the fact that, coming TO this
city in August, 1857. he was elected prose-
cutting attorney of Marion county in the
following year on the Republican ticket
and reelected in 1860. His first law part
Conner. from whom he separated in 1861
to accept the federal office OF pension agent,
which he held until 1864. In 1851 the law
firm OF Harrison and Fishback, which later
leaped into national prominence. was first
organized. In short time Albert e. Por-
ter was taken into the firm as senior part
ner, and the name became Porter, Har-
rison & Fishback, continuing that way un@
TIL June 1870, when Mr.. Fishback pur-
chased an interest in the Journal and be-
coming its editor for two years. In 1ela
Mr.. Fishback secured an interest," IN tne
st. Louis Democrat now the Globe-Dem-
ocraD, of which he was associate editor
for two years. In 1874 he came back TO
Indianapolis and formed a law partner
ship with Albert G.. Porter under the title
of Porter & Fishback. This alliance con-
tinued unbroken until Dec. IL, 1877, when
Mr. Fishback became clerk of the United
States courts and master in chancery. and
Mr. Porter accepted the position of controller
of the treasury rendered him by President
Hayes Mr.. Fishback resigned the clerk
ship of the federal courts in June, 1879.
but continued as master in chancery until
the time of his death, the affairs of the
office being conducted during his illness by
his son-in-law, William p. kappes.
WORKED ON A FARM.
When young man Mr.. Fishback worked
on a farm and ground bark in lanyard
four years One of his neighbors was Jesse
Grant, father of Ulysses S. Grant. Young
Fishback also served i'm the civil war, en-
listing as a private in Company b, One
hundred-and- thirty-second Indiana Infant
ry. One of his more recent acts of dis
tinction was the founding Of the Indiana
Law School In this city, which has since
become a department or college in the
University of indianapolis, and In which,
so long as health and Strength Permitted,
he was lecturer and ardent worker.
Mr.. Fishback was one of the promoters
and organizers of the Consumers Gas
Trust Company. So valuable was his coun-
sci regarded by the board of directors of
that company that during the past few
years, although he not member of
the directorate, he was always urgently
requested to attend its meetings.
Mr.. Ffshback attained to considerable
prominence by his attitude of friendliness
and support towards the employees of tie
local street-railroad company in their
memorable strike CT 1892. He was plaintiff
I'm the suit brought to put the company in
the hands of receiver in order that the
mems interests might be discove.el ard
protected fully.
Mr. Fishback's last notable appearance in
public was two years ago at a mass meet
ing in Tomlinson Hall, called by leading
citizens to advocate the passage of law
recurring the street car company TO c'rry
passengers for a Scent fare. The fight
ing qulities of the man were brought out
in striking relief when, feeble as he was
at the time. leaning heavily ON cane when
spected above the din of mob of friends
and employees of the street railroad COM
pany, alleged TO nave been sent TO the hall
10 Dust Mr. Fishback from the position of
chairman of the meeting.
AS A WRITER.
AS a newspaper writer and editor, Mr.
Fishback achieved the reputation of WELD
ing virile. If occasionally bitter. pen.
Mr.. Fishback enjoyed the intimate friend
ship OF George c. Harding. a brilliant
newspaper man, and Myron ". Reed the