St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-11-07
Memorial Service.

0ASAAASAA AVA OvA 8Avvo
The Courthouse was packed Lac
! Monday night, on the OCCASION q
the memorial service by the mem
bers OF the Bar Association, IN re
spect to the late Judge James N
Thompson.
Judge Thomas NJ. Burns pre-
sided.
The following resolutions, pre-
pared by the members of the bar
were read by Mr.. Harvey x. Ellis
Whereas, The Almighty Rule
Iof the Universe, IN His inscrutabl,
wisdom, has removed from ou1
midst JAMES ". THoMPsox, the
Judge of the 26th judicial District
since its creation, the members Of
the Bar Association of the 26tl
Judicial District desire to put or
record their deep sense of sorrow
for the loss of their beloved Judge,
counsellor aud friend.
James NJ. Thompson vas born
in Covington, La, on the 10th day
Of September, 1912, where his
youth aud boybood days were
spent. 1t was there in his early
boYhood that he developed those
studious habits and that Inherent
love of the sports of the wood and
the field which fascinated aud
chung to him throughout after life.
When the first mutterings of the
civil war were heard IN the dis.
lance, and the call for volunteers
was made to defend this southland
of ours, although James Thompson
was only Is years Of age, he felt
1t his duty to respond. Entering
the ranks of the Crescent Regiment
as a private. his company was sen,
to the Army of Tennessee, and af-
lerward transferred to tue Trans
Mississippi Department. He was
engaged In the battles Of Mansfield,
Shiloh, and other minor engage.
ments, where, by his meritorious
conduct aud bravery. he was pro-
NOTED from time to time. until he
finally reached the rank of first
lieutenant Of artillery. Passing a
competitive examination, he was
placed in entire charge of the gun
department, located At Marshall,
Texas, which post he held until
the close Of the war.
Returning home only when the
storm torn banner OF the Confed-
eraey had been furled 1t Apo
ma.,ox courthouse, he entered the
clerks Office Al Covington, and
while working there as deputy
clerk, he spent his nights IN the
study Of his chosen profession, the
lax, under the supervision of
George Henry Penn, IN which be
graduated after one years study,
being admitted to the bar In his |
twenty fourth year. |
Entering into the practice of his !
profession, those qualities which |
mark the able advocate and lawyer
were soon recognized, and by close |
application and study he rapidly |
rose to the front rank of bis pro.
fession.
By his forcsful logic aud strong |
personality he was soon recognized
md appreciated as a man among
men, and be became leader Of the
people Of this section Of the coun-
Try during the dark and gloomy
lays of reconstruction, the darkest
lays that Louisiana or the South
las ever known.
Judge Thompson identified him.
elf with the Democratic party at
time when 1t didn't pay to be .
Democrat, and when it would seem
IS If the sun of Democracy had al
most set. He became . caudl.
late for the legislature in 1870 on
be Democratic ticket, and was
lected.
In 1872 he was selected by the .
Democratic party of this senatorial
istrict to represent them in the
enste, and was elected by . large |
,ajorlty, but rejecting tie over
ares and squirting the corrupt car. 3
ct bag government who then had G
barge Of the election machiaery OF
lis State, and a Federal govern.
lent 10 enforce their outrageous