Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1902-02-18

pride in the fact that Delaware fur
nished to the Federal army more sol
diers in proportion to her population
than any other State in the Union.
Both at home and in Congress he was
active in support of the government.
He was appointed colonel of the First
Delaware Cavalry. but resigned to be-
come Judge Of the Supreme Court Of
the District of Columbia.
President Lincoln conceived a warm
feeling and had high regard for Mr..
Fisher. He made him a confident and
his almoner of Presidential favors in
Delaware.
On one occasion. President Lincoln
sent for him to come to Washington
where he found that the President had
formulated a plan for the emancipation
of the slaves in Delaware. The plan
was for the Legislature of 1862 to pass
bill emancipating all slaves-One-
tenth of the whole number in each
year for ten years. being at the rate of
$50 eacn year. there being about 1900
slaves in this State. Congress was to
pass an act giving TO Delaware bonds
for 100000. without interest payable
in ten annual instalments as the slaves
became free Bills were prepared both
for the Legislature Of Delaware and for
Congress. to effect this purpose, 10y
Mr. Fisher and by Nathaniel B. Smith
.ers. and were approved by President
Lincoln. But the scheme failed, be-
cause the only man in the Delaware
Legislature who had voted for Presi-
dent Lincoln at the Presidential cleo
tion refused to give his assent to the
measure, being bitterly opposed to grad
ual and compensated emancipation.
President Lincoln. on the creation of
the Supreme Court of the District of
Columbia, appointed Fisher one of the
justices.
Judge Fisher presided at the trial Of
John H. Surratt, for the participation
in the assassination of President Lin
coin. The morning after the murder
Surratt escaped in disguise and made
his way to Canada, where he remained
in hiding until September, 1865; from
there he took passage to Londonderry
ireland. and with the assistance Of
friends found his way to Rome, where
he enlisted in the army of Pope Plus
Tx. In confidence he confided his con-
nection with the murder to a fellow
soldier. and was arrested at the in
stance of the American minister. He
eluded his guards, leaped down fear
full precipice and fed to Egypt, but was
there arrested and brought to Wash
ington for trial in January, 1867, near
ly two years after the murder. The
jury failed to agree, eight being for
conviction and four for acquittal.
The charge of Judge Fisher to the
/ Jury in that case was spoken of in high
terms. 1t was even said that one so
able had not been made since the days
of fancy.
In May, 1870, Judge Fisher resigned
his place upon the bench. and was
appointed United States attorney fol-
the District of Columbia. by President
Grant.
His generous Christian spirit and
honesty of purpose endeared him to all
who came within the range of his
friendship. After a shor illness. hC
ldied in the city of Washington, Febru'
|, airy 10, 1899, aged 81 years.
December z. 1898. at the annual ban
ouet of the Sons of Delaware at the
.. Hotel Walton. Philadelphia, Judge
Fisher read a paper upon the "Monro'
, Doctrine" now so much spoken Of. Tit
paper clearly showed his intimate
knowledge of our diplomatic history.
II will thus be seen that George P
Fisher touched state and national lif'
! at more points, perhaps, than an.
! other Delawarean of modern times. Al
private secretary Of Secretary Clayton
, he was in closest touch with out ma
! tional diplomatic life. AS attorney
= general of his native State he repre-
} sented the majesty Of the law for fiv
e years, protecting the persons and tn
f property of her citizens.
In 1910 Mr.. Fisher married Eliza A
y the daughter Of Truston Polk McCol
!. lev. who was one of the leading me-
: of lower Delaware. and was a grandson
f of Robert Watson McColley, who emf
e grated to this country from Scotland i
e 1880 Mr. McColley was a successful
i merchant in Milford, a local preache