The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-13
Men That Knew Him Best Speak Feel
ingIy OF His Integrity and Unos-
tentatious Generosity.
TRIBUTE OF HIS LAW PARTNER
LOUIS NEwBERGER SHOCKED BY
MIR. MORRIs's TRAGIC DEATH.
Rabbi Messing and Other Friends
Testify to the Fine Qualities
of the Man.

flames at DR.. Joseph Haas'S nome, yester-
day morning, intended 10 leave for New
York last night and had completed most
of his arrangements for the trip, even to
purchasing tickets. Had he carried out
his original intention regarding his trip east
he might have escaped the tragic death
that came to him yesterday.
Mr. Morris has always been passionately
fond of flowers and there was no greater
pleasure for him than TO send floral con-
tribution to a friend whom he knew would
appreciate them. 1t is said that many In
this city enjoyed floral offerings yester-
day as a result of his forethought. 1t was
related yesterday that Mr.. Morris's origi-
nal intention was to leave for New York
Saturday night but he decided to remain
in order that he might be able to deliver
personally some Easter flowers yesterday
to some friends whom he thought would
be especially pleased to receive them.
In the legal profession in which he stood
very high, and among the people of this
city generally. there was perhaps no more
popular man than Nathan Morris. He had
lived in Indianapolis almost since boyhood.
Coming here from California with his par
ents when about eighteen years of age.
He was forty-five years old. His parents
are dead and his nearest relatives are his
sisters, Mrs. Joseph Haas and Mrs. A.
Cohen, 1211 Park avenue, and niece, Mrs.
Morris Wolf, who lives in San Francisco.
Mr.. Morris was a bachelor, but he was ex-
tremely fond of children and was deeply
devoted to his nephews and nieces, the
children of his sisters, Mrs. Haas and Mrs.
Cohen. To them he took the part or
second father and he was beloved by them
with almost the same devotion they gave
their real fathers.
LAW PARTNERSHIP.
Mr.. Morris was law student in the office
of Chapman & Howard, where he gained
his earlier knowledge of law. On Jan. l.
1881, he and Louis Newberger formed a law
partnership that continued up to the death
of Mr.. Morris. For twelve years Capt. ].
b. Curtis was a member of the firm, which
was known as Morris, Newberger & Curtis.
A few years ago Mr.. Curtis withdraw from
the firm and went to New York. where he is
now engaged in the practice OF law Mr..
Morris was popular a club man. He was
a member of the Masonic order and be-
longed to the Jewish benevolent order.
B'Nai Birth, OF which Mr.. Newberger is
president. He was also member OF the
Jewish Church. He belonged to the Uni
versity Club. the Country Club and the
Indiana Club.
No one perhaps heard the news of Mr..
Morris's death with more surprise or was
more shocked over the tragic occurrence
than Louis Newberger, the law partner OF
Mr. Morris. Mr.. Newberger was almost
Frustrated yesterday. He learned of the
| fire accident in a very. unusual way. He
lives at the Columbia Club and was awak-
| ened between and o'clock by bellboy,
who told him that fire had been discovered
| In his office, and that Mr.. Morris could
not be found. Mr.. Newberger hastily arose
| and went to the Commercial Club building.
| where their offices are located. He found
| no signs of fire or excitement there and was
| puzzled TO know why he had been called
| out. He did not like to venture into the
| building at that time in the morning alone
not knowing but that a plot had been laid
| to assault and rob him. Finally the night
police in the district came along and Mr.
| Newberger went with them into the build
/ ing. Not finding any signs of fire he re-
| turned TO the club. where he found that the
boy who called him had made mistake
| He at once got into telephone communion
/ ton with Robert Keller, who lives next
| door TO the Haas home. Mr.. Keller told
| him that the Haas residence had been
| burned and suggested that he come up at
| once Something in the manner In which
Keller talked TO him caused him uneasiness
| and he started at once for the Haas resi-
dence On the way he met an ambulance
| coming down Alabama street and his alarm
| increased. While he nerved himself for bad
news, Mr.. Newberger was hardly prepared
/ for the distressing information he received
| as he neared the house.
| TRIBUTE OF A FRIEND.
| Perhaps no man in Indianapolis was bet
ter acquainted with Nathan Morris or was
closer to him as friend than Louis New
berger. 1.-The partnership between Mr.. Nor
ris and myself, tragically terminated to-
| day, has existed over period of twenty
one years." said Mr.. Newberger last night.
mo better testimonial can be paid to his
| broad and generous nature than the fact
that the association has never been married
Il
/ All of his transactions, professional and
/ otherwise were upon the basis of the strict
est integrity. He was a broad-gauge man.
| high plane, and he never descended to
| things low or groveling. He was possessed
| of rare good judgment, which enabled him
TO aptly apply legal principles to business
transactions. Measured by results. he was
| safe counselor. Mr.. Morris was pos
| sessed of a wonderfully generous nature.
He recognized the obligation of the prosper
1 Gus TO those less successful. He gave I'M
| sparingly. His liberality was too great
rather than too small.
His learning was not in the law alone
/ He studied the arts. and was man of ex-
quisite and refined tastes. He was lover
| OF everything beautiful in nature and art.
Taken all in all. he was a manly man. dig
/ nifed scholarly and just. The friendships
he formed in his early professional career
have been added to year by year until
could scarcely name another with a longer
list OF genuinely devoted friends.
! IT might add this. that he never did his
| thinking I'm rut or groove. His thoughts,
like his conduct, were always pitched upon
| high plane and he never sacrificed prin-
| ciple to policy. He had official part in
public affairs. Such positions he from time
| to time held were purely honorary. and /
| believe l can say that he discharged every
| obligation. public and private, with gem
| erouS fidelity to every trust reposed In him.
| He was an ardent lover of flowers and for
| years was in the habit of having them
| placed fresh upon his desk every morn
| ing.
Mr.. Morris was essentially self-made
| man. He did not have the advantage of a
| collegiate course and was without finan-
| cial backing. The splendid place he at
| tanned. professionally and personally. ne
| achieved for himself but he did IL as al
| ready stated. by the ability TO recognize
the rights of others and the faithful dis
| charge OF his duty toward them. Socially
| ne was everywhere esteemed. and the re-
| gard was not of abstract, but of a
| concrete nature. He was able TO so en-
| graft himself into the lives OF his asso-
| ciates that this mornings tragic account
| brings more than passing expression OF
| regret. IL starts tears from the eyes and
| gives utterance TO testimonials TO gen.
| erous acts. now loosened from secrecy. Ii
| was Mr.. Morriss intention TO leave for
| New York Saturday night. and / know OF
no more splendid tribute than the fact
that he remained over the fatal night 10
distribute flowers this Easter morning"
w. III. RIPLEY'S TRIBUTE
Warwick ii. Ripley. the attorney. was
close friend Of Mr.. Morris for many years
or the dead mans sterling character and