Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-09-12
Bar Honors Judge Blair.

The members Of the Grundy coun.
ty bar gave Judge A. S. Blair as
complete surprise last night as any
that he ever received in his life.
The Judge had disposed of all the
business on the docket at noon and
expected to leave for home on the
afternoon train. Attorney r. j.
Williamson won the Judges consen,
to remain over until today by telling
him that he had case that he wished
to try at the court house at 1880 in
the evening.
The Judge, the reporter, the bail
if and the attorneys were there at
the time that court was declared
open. R. j. Williamson informed
the court that the case they expected
to try in the evening had been dis.
posed Of but that they had another
matter that he wished to present be-
fore the court and he read resolu-
ton drawn up by the Grundy ceun-
ty bar in which the attorneys vouch-
ed their appreciation Of the service
that Judge Blair had rendered since
he had served as a trial Judge in
in this county. After the resolu-
tions were read each Of the attorneys
presented a brief argument in their
defense. The Judge was very much
affected upon hearing Of the high es-
TEEN in which he is held by the
members of the bar in this county
and in few words Of response he
told them SO and he added further
that it was a pleasure for a judge to
be courteous to the attorneys from
this county as they aimed to be fair
in all Of their dealings in court.
After these exercises at the court
house the entire company were tax
en- to the home of Mr.. and Mrs. A.
N. Wood where reception was Civ
en- to the attorneys of the county,
their wives, Jack Newman, the court
reporter and his wife, the county
clerk, his wife and deputy and Bail
if Butler and lady. Light refresh
ments were served.
This is Judge Blair's last term CD
the bench in the county. His torn
expires on the first day Of January
and he did not desire reelection
Judge Blair has been on che bench
IN this district for twelve years. He
is in his seventy-ffth year. lie was
admitted to the bar over fifty years
ago and practiced law continually
up to the time that he went on the
bench. Since 1858 he has been max.
ing his home at Manchester.
Judge Blair has always been pop
ular among the attorneys and the
public and the resolutions that the
bar from this county adopted revea
the sentiment of those who reside in
this judicial district.
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT.
Whereas, The Hon. A. S. Blair II
about to voluntarily retire from thu
bench of this Judicial District after {
continuous service Of twelve year,, and
Whereas, the Bar of Grundy count!
and the officers of the Court are desir
GUS OF expressing In an appreprist,
way, their appreciation of the high per
sOnai character and official services o.
Judge Blair, this being the last term o.
the District Court of Grundy county al
which he will preside before his retire
ment, therefore,
Resolved, BY the Grundy county bal
and the officers Of said Court that W,
deeply regret that the pleasant and cor
dial relations which have SO long exis
ted between US and Judge Blair Ut,
about to be severed.
Resolved, That we cheerfuily testify
to the eminent legal ability, the higt
personal character and the absolute
cOnscienciouBness which have at al
times characterized his official acts.
Resolved, Tha. at all times during
his long term upon the bench, we have
found Judge Blair uniformly courteous
and patient, faithful and psinstakinf
In the discharge of bis arduous dutie!
and fair and impartial In his rulings.
Resolved, That in our social inter
course with him we have found him tt
be man of pure life, high Ideals, gen
isl, generous and lovable, and to dis
course with him, whether upon techni
cal legal subjscte or upon general topic
was to be instructed.
Resolved, That we extend to Judg,
Blair as he retires to private life Ou
best wishes, and trust that the years t,
come may bring to him abundan
prosperity, peace and c0ntentment.
Resolved, That these resolutions b.