The Brunswick daily news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1903-1906, 1904-12-06
BAR ASSOCIATION
MOURNS HIS LOSS
Memorial Services Held in
Superior Court Room
Yesterday
ON DEATH OF JUDGE MfRSHON
Several Of the Attorneys Paid Tribute
to the Deceased Member Of the
Bar-committee Renders Re-
luton Of Sympathy.

luton Of Sympathy.
In the superior court room yester-
day afternoon the, Brunswick Bar AS
sociaton held memorial services over
the death Of the late Judge j. L. Mer-
leton, who passed away a few weeks
iego il Fernandina.
Col. w. E. Kay presided during the
lsorvices. when were imposing and in
teresting. Several members Of the
bar spoke on the life ana character
o. this truly great attorney, who was
Eone of the irsl members OF the Rruns-
lwicll bar. Among those who spoke
We're Col. w &C. kay. Col G. p. Good,
year Judge Max Isaac, Col d. w.
Klauss. Solicitor General Bennett.
IJpdge 4. D. Gale, LII Sheppard and
lolhers, all OF whom spoke in the very
highest terms OF the deceased mem.
Ibers of the bar
The committee appointed by the
court some time ago to frame a memo.
rial on the death of Judge Mershon
rendered the following which was
Iadopted ard ordered spread ipon the
minutes Of tn court;
TO tho Judge OF the Superior Court
6lynn County, Georgia
Tho committee appointed by your
onor to frame a memorial upon the
'te and service Of our Brother, Judge
Martin L. Mtrshon. who died on the
tn Of November. in Fernandina, Fla.
present the following:
Judge Martin L. Mcrshon vas ma.
tive Of Florida. was a Confederate
older. serving with honor ana cred
" stndied law under brother was
stler the war married. and came to
brunswick il 1871 with his family. a
lie and three children, and for many
cars practced law in this circuit.
nj city and wars closely identified
ith the civic life ana growth Of our
ity
OF fine physique, fine presence,
here was charm and magnetism
which drew friends 10 him ana held
hem by The generous wa7nhearted-
ness which vas an essential Vita.
incere part Of the man.
Personally a thoroughly brave man
eeply sensitive, he was considerate
the feelings Of others He had
10Th wit and rumor in marked degree
AIT not Of the kind which stngs.
Original views and origina, express
ions Of Them were often so unique as
o become household words lie was
la phrasemaker and happy one. As
lawyer before a jury, he was a most
formidable antagonist. especially in
andling some facts. and in the prac
ice Of criminal law had few equals
| If any and no superlors.
AS a sDeake~ in political campaigns
is arguments were convincing. inter
Dersed with rare wit and humor. At
Cne time in an exciting congressional
convention ir Savannah he nearly
son the prize Of nomiation to con
ereas which would have been e0uiva-
mt to an election.
He was for term of four years
hdge Of Che superior courts Of the
Brunswick ci,cuit. and was an un.
Y right and fearless judicial officer
believing in Justice tempered with
mercy upon Re criminal side Of the
court, indeed fis kindly nature made
any other attitude impossible to him
l'c was ratient. seeking for thorough
investigation. anxious to arrive at
the real Justice of the cause. Courte
Gus always to his brethren of the bar
ESPECIALLY SO TO its younger members
lis handling Of facts before a jury
always ingenious was al times so I'm
respected yet 50 forceful as to com
ruand admiration and recognition OF
lgenious. His knowledge Of humar
mature. the otives which actuated
men under certain conditions. wa
iutuitye. rarely was he mistaken Hi
Itriumphs upon the criminal side Of tht
court far exceeded his defeats Hi
,nature was so kindly that prosecution
cid not suit him. his choice was al
{ ways the defense Of parties accused o
crime TIe dealt in sledgo hamme
, blows Of logic. enlivened by humm
leading often to a climax Of eloquenc
q which capturei not only juries but al
= listeners. A phrasemaker in ordinar
conversation. he would often startl
court and jury by condensation Of a
tlere was to say for his client in on
compact sentence lie was especial