The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1902-01-08
DEATH OF JUDGE CASSIDY.
Continued from First Pnge.

career, by reason of his superb mental
powers, extraordinary personal mag
netism, eloquence and commanding
and winning personality, he became a
natural leader of men. Before moving
to Brookhaven he was elected to the
Legislature from Franklin county. In
1871 he was elected to the State Senate
from the district then composed OF
Lincoln, Lawrence and Pike. After a
brilliant career in the Senate, during a
part of which time he served with
credit as chairman of the judiciary
committee, he was appointed chancel-
lor of the district composed of Lin
coin, Pike, Franklin, jefferson and
Claiborne. Subsequently, he resigned
the CHARACTERISTIC and after serving
for short time, under appointment,
as district attorney for the tenth judi
cial district, then composed of Lincoln,
Pike, Amite, Wilkinson, Adams and
jefferson, he was twice elected by the
people to the district attorneys office,
voluntarily retiring in 1884, after hav-
ing won the highest distinction as a
prosecutor.
After retiring from the district at
torneyship, he devoted himself aSSidu-
ously to the general practice of law,
being associated for several years
thereafter with the late Maj. J. +. SEES
sions, under the firm name of Sessions
4 Cassidy. After entering upon the
private practice of law, Judge Cassidy
rarely became counsel in a criminal
case, except for the defense, and as a
criminal lawyer he became as distin-
guished and renowned for his ability,
learning and success as he formerly
had as a prosecutor for the State. In
civil practice he chose always to align
himself on the side of the individual
and become indicator of individual
rights, rather than the representative
of corporations and large moneyed in
terests. He was thus repeatedly sue.
cessful in winning some of the largest
damage suits known to the civil juris-
prudence of the State.
1t goes without the saying that a
man of Judge Cassedy's towering intel
lect, strong personal magnetism and
sympathetic interest in all public af-
fairs about him, would take lively in
terest in political matters. At various
times he was called to serve as a mem
Der of State, district and county Dem
ocratic executive committees, and he
repeatedly served as chairman of such
committees. In 1888 and 1896 he rep
resented Mississippi in the National
Democratic Convention. He was one
among the first of the latter body to
favor the nomination of Mr.. Bryan
for president. Between him and the
distinguished Nebraskan, with whom
he possessed many admirable qualities
in common, there has since always
subsisted strong, mutual personal
friendship. Born as he was on the
Nations natal day, he seemed to inherit
the early fathers hatred of tyranny and
oppression in every form and to be
ever ready to declare and battle for
the largest rights and liberties for the
individual citizen consistent with the
general welfare. He was born dem
ocrat, and best exemplified true demo
cratic principles in his own simple, un-
ostentatious life and his readiness al
ways to defend the weak as against the
strong The humblest citizen, however
unassuming and plainly clad, was
never considered beneath his notice
or consideration. Any day he would
rather have served and pleased "the
common people" of his country, than
paid tribute to and been favored by
the greatest potentate of earth. Nc
friend was truer; no advocate more
courageous, loyal and untiring. He
made friends or a clients cause his
own: and nothing could make him de.
sert or betray either For more than
twenty years this splendid man and
citizen has lowered above the common
level of men in South Mississippi like
its own stately pines, among which he
spent his youth and manhood. Gen
erous, hospitable, overlooking with
humor and good nature and possessed
of the finest social qualities which
were as so many adornments to his
other eXcellencies, he will be univer
sally mourned by those who knew him
and long and keenly missed from his
accustomed walks.
Judge Cassidy was the oldest of q
family of six children, his brother
Judge William P. Cassidy, of Summit
being the only one who survives him
He leaves a devoted wife, three daugh
tiers and two sons. His eldest son
Hiram, jr., who for many years ha:
been associated with his father as his
law partner, will continue to conduct
the business of the firm.