The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-25
John Gindrat Winter.

Editor The Advertiser:
The announcement that this clever gen.
t!eman was dead came with appalling sud
denness and 1t Is even now difficult for
those acquainted with his robust man
mood to realize that his royal and loyal
heart beats no more have known Judge
socially. 1 have know him in his home
life and In his public life. 1 have known
MIN as judge, as q lawyer. as a member
OF literary club, of a social club. and
| have known him as a man in the every
day walks of life. and it is my conviction
that he had as many of the virtues and as
few OF the vices as any man have ever
known. He possessed in an eminent de-
gree, two qualities, both so rare and yet
SO lovable. that had he been wanting as
he was not, in all others, which attract
men, he would have attached to himself
warm and devoted friends. and these were
unfailing good humor and undertaking
loyalty.
or powerful physique and fully con-
seious Of his superb strength, who can
say they ever saw 1t exercised against
his fellowman or his smooth and equita-
BILE temper even rufied? Let me cite two
or three instances Of his loyalty. few
years ago a friend fell a victim to the
demon drink, he sank lower and lower in
the scale OF humanity until for crime he
became fugitive from justice. The world
condemned him and his friends spoke of
him only as criminal; those who hld
followed and admired him in the days of
his prosperity, knew him not in the dark
hour of adversely Not so with Judge
Winter. With a zeal increased only by
the difficulties surrounding him and with
a loyalty intensified only by the utter
helplessness of his friend, he never for
moment faltered in his friendship but re-
NAMED true and steadfast to the end.
The scene shifts. A lawyer friead is in
trouble. He believes his friend has been
unjustly accused, but whether he has
been or not Is Of no consequence, he is his
friend. ana as such it is not his part to
fan away. but with loyalty to throw him
self into the breach and stem as best he
may the rising storm of condemnation.
The scene shifts. A farmer friend has
been unfortunate and lost his all-his
plantation is sold under mortgage and
there are none to take his part. The voice
Of his friend calls and this is enough for
Judge Winter. He throws the gage of
battle down and for ten long years he
struggles and fights for tho legal rights
Of his friend until victory rewards his
efforts and success crowns his cause.
There are dozens of other instances
suffice.
1t seems to me If there is one lesson
taught more plainly than any other by the
What did you do for your fellowmen to
make the world better and brighter for
them? Not how many psalms you sung
or how loud you sung them. but what did
you do7 Did you pass your suffering
~ mo AOpbST pdSSiOuS
and weaknesses. as the priest and the
Levite did the wounded man by the road
side or did you, like the Samaritan stop
ana pour words Of comfort and sympathy
into his bruised and forsaken heart?
Judge Winter did this for he was -
kindly disposed, sympathetic man and
those In want or trouble, found in him n.
Kind and gentle friend. When the world
arrayed itself against man and he seem
ed friendless and alone, 1t was then that
Judge Winter buckled on his arnor and
battled for his friend, and the more
friendless he became. the stronger his de-
votion to his cause. 1t is no doubt a
sweet consolation to the friends of the
great who have gone to their reward to
look back and take pride in the success
OF noble endeavor. but 1t is stiH sweeter
consolation to reflect on the life of a brave
man who stood by and lifted up the de-
ing ana trial
We caa truthfully ana fittingly saw Of
judge Winter. what was beautifully said
by Robert Insersoll of his brother: He
added to the sum Of human joy; and were
every one to whom he did some loving
service to bring a blossom to his grave
he would sleep tonight beneath a WILDER
Alexander Troy