Evening journal., 1902-10-04
KIND WORDS SAID
FOR LEVI Bird
CONTINUED From First Page.

stilled into their sons youthful mind
that intense pride in his native State
and love Of its early traditions and I
glorious history, that became so promi-
nent characteristic of his later life !
He was educated at private schools in
Wilmington, and at 1aurenceville, n.
j., and upon completing his general
education took two years course at
the Harvard Law School, completing |
that course in the summer OF 1868. He
was admittedto the bar OF New Castle |
county in 1865. Soon after mis- admis-
sion to the bar he was appointed ,
commissioner in bankruptcy, the only |
public Office he ever held.
His career at the bar extended over
a period Of thirty-seven years. During
the first seventeen years he acquired
the reputation Of being the greatest
criminal lawyer Delaware ever pro
duced. No Delaware lawyer, perhaps
ever defended so many murder cases
with such unvaryng success. Thel
last twenty years of his life were devoted
/ to civil cases; and | venture to affirm
that no lawyer at this bar has done sol
much TO assist the court in the devel-
opment of the law Of master and
servant in this State, as he. AS a jury
lawyer he was the recognized leader of
the bar
"The secret of his success lay, not
only i'm the careful preparation of his
cases for trial, the selection OF his
| iuries his alertness and quiclxness Of
perception, his wonderful power of
| cross examination. his intense and
burning zeal for his client, and his
powerful and eloquent words, but also
in his wonderful personality.
'IIe lived so close to nature, and his
heart beat so true to the common heart
of humanity that he knew men. He
knew how facts impressed them. and
his power Of selling on the important
i facts in his case, and presenting them
to the jury, was most remarkable. He
knew his juries, and made them feel
THAI the sentiments which he inspired,
could only emanate from a noble and
generous heart. He was lawyer of the
! old school, cherishing all the time-hon-
) ored traditions of the bar and jealous
of its honor.
n Asaman he was scrupulously honest
/ straightforward andhOnorablei in allhis
; dealings. He hated crooked dealing and
\ shams of every kind. Quick and inn
III UuAolhGt JIG MdH AOl clOM ~ QNAAQuAANf
, in most vigorous language, anything
tainted with fraud or deceit.
HE had a most remarkable power Of
making friends among all classes, and
nothing has more impressed me since
his funeral, than the genuine feeling
and expression Of personal less i'm his
death universally prevalent in the
community. To me, one of the marked
characteristics of his charming person
alities was his delightful inconsistency.
No woman was ever more changeable
than he. or more attractive. It seemed
his special privilege, and we loved him
all the more for it. He was nothing, if
not original He was the life of every
company. His originality and ludi-
crous exaggerations were irresistible.
"He loved company rather than books,
, and during the past few years, especial
= ly since the death of his wife. could not
: bear to be alone Shakespeare was his
favorite author and / have often
thought that, from this course, Mr.
g Bird in large measure, acquired that
= knowledge of human nature which, en-
. abled him to play so skillfully upon
the tenderest cords Of the human
heart.
I "Mr. Bird always retained the spirit
- and ardor of his youth. When tempo
rarily relieved from the cares of busi-
I, ness. and about to take a holiday, his
spirits were most eXuberant and his
: good nature simpy irresistible; ant
when away from home ON a vacation
he always lived like a prince and was
I the best of good fellows.
= "He was at the time Of his death, the
u president of the Wilmington Club, and
J., is entitled to the credit of effecting 10y
! his wonderful influence with the othel
! cub members, the removal of the clul
Y from its old location in King street Il
n its present magnificent clubhouse IL
Market street. He was also a member
of the Maryland Club, in Baltimore.
2 'iHe was so happy in his domestic life
2 What coud be more touching. or NOR
e clearly reveal the faithful heart of our
]; friend than the following words in hi
n will. which, with tears in his eyes, HI
t, dictated TO me: 'My desire and re
n quest is that be buried with my wife,
g. wedding ring. at Old Swedes Church
S, yard by the side OF my wife.
}; Mr.. Bird was man of deep reli
r, gious convictions. He was a believe
in the Bible and in the truths of Chris
tlanity; and was a liberal contributes
to the churches.
e ''Your honors, what a precious legac,
e of delightful recollections ne has be
4. Queathed to us. his friends. Can w
'el ever forgot the sunshine fhisface, tn,
IT warm Gasp of his hand, the cordial, IA
l. miliar greeting; the warm, sympathetic
l. tone OF his voice? Is not this court
IS room where life presented itself to hin
) in its most serious aspect. and wher,
= his eloquent voice was so often heard
still fragrant with his presence?
el Il love TO think of him. not so mucl
II as a great lawyer and advocate, as
h great-hearted man; whose hospitality
was unbounded, and whose sympatheti,