Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-10-09
IN MEMORY OF LEVI c. BIRD
The Resolutions Adopted by the
New Castle County Bar AS
ISOLATION on His Death
SUBMITTED TO SUPERIOR COURT
Which Ordered Them Spread
on the Minutes.
Euiogics by Col. Nieids, A. +. sanborn
Chief Justice Lore and Judge spruance--
The Court Adjourned without Day Out OF
Respect to the Memory OF MIR. Bird.


death Of Levi @. Bird were presented
to the Superior Court Friday after.
noon by Col. Benjamin Nields and
Andrew Z. Sanborn, tho committee
appointed to do so. The court ordered
the resolutions spread on the minutes.
A noteworthy portion of the exer-'
cises was Judge Spruanoe's tribute to
Andrew Z. Sanborn, Mr.. Birds law
partner.
In presenting the resolutions, Col.
Nields said;
/ knew Mr.. Bird in the days Of his
youth. When I first met him | think
he was student at Lawrenceville. pre-
pairing for Princeton College. l was
attracted to him, because of his singular
originality in speech, dress and manner ;
this quality of character became more
pronounced as he grew older and was
actively engaged in affairs.
AS member of this bar he cannot
be compared with anyone who pre-
oeded him, or with any of his con
temporaries. He had u strong per
scnality, which tended to dominate
every one in his presence. His
knowledge of human nature was re-
markable and of the forces and pre-
JUDGES that influenced men.
In tho trial Of causes be quickly
grasped the strong points of his side OF
the case and the weak points Of his
opponents side and applied them with
powerful effect lie mad strong per-
sonal magnetism that attracted and
held men to him. As jury lawyer he
was pleasing, eloquent, forcible and
convincing. Whatever he said or did
became him; that which would have
been entirely out of place if done oil
said by another, appeared altogether
natural and proper to him. Nature hac
bestowed upon him much of herself anc
ali that he said ana did was as natura
as the song of the bird, the coloring il
the atmosphere and the fight OF thu
eagle. Artificial rules and ceremonies
did not influence, restrain or contro
his conduct. In his freedom of thought
speech, action and intellectual powe
he somewhat resembled Charles james
Fox; and in his description of men
affairs and things, he suggested Burn
in his truth to nature.
How truthfuily lawyers may say
"How soon we are forgot when we ar
gone. How few members of this ba
now hear mentioned the names o
Samuel Nj. Harrington, Jr., George 9
Gordon, William Ii, Rodgers and othel
brilliant members of this bar, who livet
but generation ago. Mr.. Bird vii
not soon be forgotten. | think | cal
safely say that at the time of his dealt
he was the best known man in Deia
ware and his name the most freauentl
spoken. | do not feel, may it pleas
| the court, that it is necessary tina
| these resolutions should be spread upo
| the records OF this court in order tina
the life of Mr.. Bird should be preserve
in the memories of the people of thi
| State, hut in compliance with the resc
| buttons of the bench and bar of thi
county, ask that these resolution
may be spread upon the records of thi
court.
MIR. saHBoRN's EuLoGY.
Mr.. Sanborn said: / shall ever /
grateful for the privilege of uniting
the presentation to your honors of til
resolutions of respect adopted by tt
bar meeting in honor of Mr.. Bird, sine
it affords mo the opportunity, in th
place whore yet the echo of his mag
voice can be heard, of paying my la
grateful tribute of love and respect
his memory.
To me this is sacred duty, 10
performed with no less reverence al
sincerity thar those last offices of 10
and affection, which were showert
upon him by his friends, as he vi
being carried to his last resting plac
| would utter no word of fulson
eulogy on this occasion, for anythil
savoring of this he despised. l won
speak of him rs he was: nohl
generous hearted man, whose virtu
, were known to those who loved al
appreciated him, and whose faults
gently on him.
Mr.. Bird was born at Wilmingto
Del, in the house now owned al
occupied by Mr.. Henry G. Banning.
the goth day Of November, 1872. !
, was the only child of second marriag
both his father, James T. Bird, a
I his mother, Susan l.. Bird, were natl
: norm Delawareans, who mad alwa
! lived in New CASTLE county. Tn
! early instilled into their sons youth
. mind that intense pride III his matt
/ State and love of its early traditio
: and glorious history, that became
: prominent characteristic of mis- la
: life. He was educated at private scho
in Wilmington, and at Lawren
:, vile, N. j., and upon completing
general education took q two yea
!, course at the Harvard Law Soho
y completing that course in the sunni
:, OF 1863. He WAS admitted to the |
: of Now Castle county in 1865. Sc
4 after his admission to the bar he y
:, appointed commissioner in bankrupt
- the only public Office he ever held.
- His career at the bar extended owe
=, period of 81 years. During the first
Is years he acquired the reputation
IL being the greatest criminal law
); Delaware ever produced. No Delaw
, lawyer, perhaps, ever defended 50 m;
- murder cases, with such unvary
success. The last 20 years of his
was devoted to civil cases; and
"a venture to affirm, that no lawyer
10 this bar has dcne so much to assist
le court in the development of the Law
ar master and servant in this State as
4. As jury lawyer, he was the rec
i. nized leader of the bar. The secre
!. his success lay, not only in the care
a preparation of his cases for trial,
4 selection of his jurIes. his alertr
4, and quickness of perception, his wont
3 full power of cross examination,
i intense and burning zeal for his ellie
- and his powerful and eloquent wo
no but also in his wonderful personal
5s. He lived so close to nature, and
re heart beat so true to the common HI
nm of humanity, that he know men.
a. knew how facts impressed them,
his power of seizing on the import
facts in his case, and presenting Il
to the jury, was most remarkable.
|. knew his juries, and made them
no that the sentiments which he insp
ny could only enanate from noble
IN, generous heart He was a lawyer of
lar old school, cherishing all the ii
he honored traditions of the bar,
bly, jealous of its honor.
ats AS man, he was scrupulously hor
'or straightforward and honorable il
his dealings. He hated crooked deal