The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-07-05
A DROLL CHARACTER.
Some Witty Sayings of the Late Tom
Nolan,

MOAN.
Most people connected with the low
! er courts in New York, in recent years,
knew the late Tom Nolan, more gen
orally known among members of the
bar as Counselor Nolan" He came a
good many years ago to New York
from Limerick. He told me, says
Walter NJ. O'Dwyer, that he was
born near the birthplace of Gerald
Griffin. He went west, where perhaps
his parctice was small, like that of
Bill Nye, who said to Staten Island
friend: II practiced law in Wyoming,
but few people knew it." Anyhow,
Tom Nolan returned to New York and
made that city henceforth his home.
His massive head and his tall, portly
form We're familiar to people in lower
Broadway, where his dress coat and
silk hat served likewise to make him
conspicuous. His accent was decidedly
Irish and for many years he amused
judges and lawyers by his quaint hui
NOR. He was prominent at political
conventions, where his powerful voice
and ready wit served to make him a
leading attraction.
MI. Crotty, of New York, told me
that he and the counsellor" visited
Ireland together. In Dublin they were
walking up O'Connell street, when
some British soldiers came staggering
in front of them. "Stand firm" said
Nolan to his friend, as he took his
arm. The soldiers marched abreast,
but the defiant position of the Ameri-
can citizens was too much for them
and they apologized for their rudeness
Nolan soundly rated them and they
SUNK away, evidently convinced that
they had met some persons in high
authority. Mr.. Crotty and the ''coun
sellor" went from Dublin to Paris,
where they had other adventures
among hotelkccpers who tried to prac-
tice cXtortion and thus incurred Tom
Nolans displcasure.
Nolan would quiz the waiter girls at
the restaurants and relish glass or
more of punch but despite his droll
ways he had serious moments, for he
might often be seen entering st. Pc
ters church, Barclay street, on week
days, to spend some time in prayer i'll
that editice which stands OH the site
Of the first Catholic church erected in
New York.
In a book entitled "The Barrister,"
Charles Frederick Stansbury has
brought together the best of the anec-
dotcs of Tom Nolan. The compiler
merits gratitude for doing so while the
memory of the counsellor was still
fresh in the public mind. That he
has done his work we'll my be seen
by some characteristic stories from
this collection, which are here set
down:
At political convention friend
asked Nolan:
Isn't it strange, counselor, that your
friend Croker, who is such a mighty
power down your way, does not get Il
nice political job for himsrlf?'
The barristcr drew himself up, look
ing his inquisitor over from the Ger
ner of his eye, and then replied. with
severity: ",ris peanut brain you
have. Clancy. to ask me that. is
there any job he hasn't got?'
Judge Horace Russell told the fol-
lowing story: Nolan once had client
whose name was Mrs. Mnriarlty.
After her case had been placed upon
the calendar Mrs. Mnriarity appeared
every day in Nolan's office with her
eleven witnesses. Finally the case
| reached the top of the calendar. and
Nolan was on hand to try it. The
opposing counsel asked for Il postpone
ment. Nolan fought the postponement
with great clouuence, laying much
stress upon the fact that Mrs. Mori-
arity had been put to enormous trouble
and expense of coming every day to
his office with her eleven witnesses.
Indigo Dugro. who was sitting. was not
convinced apparently by No.an's per-
fcryid oratory and granted the adj
iournment. Then the barrister arose
"Your honor" said he, has seen tit
to grant postponemcnt of the case
and, while l humbly submit to the
ruling of the court, yet l would like
to ask your honor to do me pr
sonal favor
"Certainly. counselor, with pleasure
replied Judge Dugro. what is it?'
60 to my office" thundered the
barristcr, land inform Mrs. MorGrity
that this case has been postponed
Witty and keen MS Nolan was, he
once in while got =. worst OF an
encounter with Il witness, rs the FOL
lowing incident illustrates:
The plaintiff. Mr.. Foley, was suing
Mr.. w. for damages sustained by care
lcssness of defendant in allowing his
donkey to escape from his stable ana
trespass upon plaintiffs lawn. Foley
is in the witness box.
Barrister Nolan for defendant-You
say that Mr.. WIS animal caused all
this injury to your property?
Foley-Yes, scr.
Barrster-Where did you first see
this donkey?