Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1902-02-18
JUSTICE LORE READS
INTERESTING PAPER
His Subject Was One Of 1.-THE Strong
Men Of Delaware
Late Hon. George N, Fishers Life Was a
Long aud EYentiul OnO-lIOnOred
by Lincoln

voted last evening to hearing read an
interesting paper on the late Hon.
George p. Fisher. Chief Justice
Charles B. Lore was the speaker. The
speaker gave a full history Of the for
mer attorney general. who was one OF
the foremost men of his day There
was a good attendance and a united
vote of thanks was extended to Chief
Justice Lore for preparing ana reading
the paper.
After the reading Bishop Coleman,
Henry G. Conrad. Colonel John VAIN
wright and Albert Cowgirl related
personal "reminiscences OF Mr.. Fisher.
LIFE OF GEORGE P. FISHER.
After telling Of the arrival in this
country of John and Margaret Fisher
ancestors of George p, on the good
ship Welcome. in 1852, the Chief Jus
iice followed the history of the Fisher
family until the death of George p.
Fisher. which occurred in Washington,
February 10. 1899. He was 81 years
old.
George p. Fisher was born in Mil
ford. October 10. 1917. His early edu-
cation was had at the schools of his
county. At the age of II he entered
St. Mary's College, Baltimore, Mary
land; one year thereafter he entered
the sophomore class at Dickinson Col
lge. where he graduated July 1888. The
college was then under the presidency
of the distinguished and eloquent John
p. Durbln, d. d. Having decided upon
the profession of law, he entered the
office of the Hon. John M. Clayton
who had married his cousin, Sally
Ann Fisher. While studying law he
also was tutor to the two sons of his
preceptor-Charles and James He was
admitted to the bar April, 1871; settled
at Dover and soon acquired a large
clientage for young man, having met
marked success from the beginning
BY the death of Governor Stockton,
in 1916. Joseph Maull, who was then
speaker Of the Senate, became COVER
nor. and on the 5th Of March of that
year he appointed and commissioned
Mr. Fisher as the Secretary of State
BY the death of Governor Maull, a
short time thereafter, William Temple
became governor, and on the 9Th day
of May 1916. he appointed and COM
missioned Mr.. Fisher as Secretary Of
State under his administration, and on
the 9TH day of July of the same year,
he commissioned him as aid-de-camp
to Major General Nathaniel Young,
then commanding the Delaware mill
tia. This is unique in our history. No
other man having been secretary in
two different governors, all in the
space of one year. IL indicates his
prominence and power as a young
man.
When John NJ Clayton became Sec
rotary of State under President Taylor,
Fisher entered into public life by be-
coming Claytons confidential clerk.
Scharff says: HE attracted consider
able attention at Washington, and
President Taylor appointed him to pro-
coed to Brazil. and adjudicated certain
claims held by the citizens of this
country against Brazil This work he
performed. and returning home in
1853. received the warm commendation
of the Hon. Elisha Whittlesy, then first
comptroller of the Treasury, for the
excellence Of his work. The Clayton
Bulwer treaty, which has just been
abrogated, was negotiated while Fisher
was Secretary Claytons confidential
clerk: hence he was in close personal
relation with Sir Henry Lytton Bull
wer. the British minister.
After the death of President Taylor
President Willard Fillmore sent fol
and requested Mr.. Fisher to act as his
private secretary until Fillmores son
could arrange his business and come
to Washington. In March, 1855, Gov
ernor Causey appointed him attorney
general of the State of Delaware fol
the term of five years. During thai
time he had three deputies. The first
was Enoch Joyce Smithers, late United
States consul at Smyrna; the seconC
was the Hon. William c. Spruance
then just admitted to the bar, and the
third was the Hon. William F. Causey
During his term many interesting cases
were tried. Notable among these were
the Buchanan-Casperson case, and thu
Weaver Roach case. The latter wal
the Newark College case, and eYciteC
widespread interest throughout tn
the State. because of the relation to i
of Samuel NJ. Harrington, the son o
the then chancellor of the State. II
In both these cases Judge Spruanc
was the deputy Encouragement, ant
although a young man just admittel
to the bar. he made a profound impress
sion. His summary of fact before tn
jury in the latter case was very able
Judge Fisher. in speaking subsequent
" of this effort. said: 81 may safel
venture to assert it has never been eS
celled. if equalled by any young ma
in this State.
A critical lawyer. who had heard tn
entire case. and narrowly watched II
progress. told me in 1859 that the al
gument of Judge Spruance was an al
sOlute demonstration. that Samuel n
Harrington could not have given tn
blow which caused the death of ROacl
In 1860 he was nominated by bot
wings of the Peoples Party for Cor
gress. and was elected by a. maiorit
Of 247 votes. although the State Wa
normally Democratic. He ran ahea
of his ticket. In 1862 he was renom
mated by the Republican party, but tn
State had swung back again to 4
Democratic mooring. and he was d
feated. His Congressional service, fro
March. 1861. to March, 1868, was Il