The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-20

years ago, he began life In a new field
with all the vigor and hopefulness of
youth, and established a splendid law
business. He was so successful in build
ing a reputation as a lawyer that in 1892,
without making an effort, he almost Sc
cured the nomination for circuit judge
and since then, his reputation for learning
and judicial temper and fairness has so
grown that all have regretted that he
failed of place on the bench SUCH,
however, was his aversion to asking for
office. and yet no man was better fitted
to serve the public. Comrade Houghton
was pre-eminently distinguished for his
accurate learning as lawyer His fami-
liarity with the statute law and the de-
cisions of the state supreme court was
proYerbial He became an authority, to
whom all, when embarrassed, went.
Judges on the bench, experienced lawyers
and beginners almost daily appealed to
his vast resources for aid. The young
lawyers in Birmingham and elsewhere
came to him for help and never went
away empty. He has been known fire.
quent1y to lay aside his own work and
go to his books and work for hours to
supply a young man with authorities to
meet the present need. This was done as
If the labor was pleasant recreation. lie
never hesitated at great length and labor
to advise and help the poor. 1t can be
well said of him that when the poor cried
unto him he heard their call. To the
needy his hand was open and to the help
less he was helpful. A friend said of him
that the thing he most enjoyed was to
see the hundred news boys eating
Christmas or New Year dinner when
Judge Houghton was host. When the pot
of the Salvation Army was boiling on
the street corner he quietly stopped and
dropped into it a five dollar note. that the
poor might have a Christmas dinner
When the kindergarten room of the Mercy
Home needed suitable furniture, he united
with another, like inclined, and the room
was furnished. When the hospital was to
be furnished he aided. For ten years
without cost he advised the board Of lady
managers and gave his labor and time
to that service without charge. He never
advertised his charities or in any way
called attention to his gifts.
Among the most notable service he
rendered was his successful Sunday school
teaching of twenty-five boys. of about the
age of Is years. 1t is told of him that
he was In his place at the teachers meet
ing every Sunday morning at 9:15 o'clock.
and when the school was called to order
he met his class and began his work, as
teacher, not along difficult lines of the
ology, but along the lines of practical
morality and Christian citizenship. His
aim was to make good citizens and num-
bers of society OF the boys. They were
organized into boys republic and gov
erned themselves. They had their own
courts, held their own trials and admin
istered punishment of offenders. In all mis-
intercourse with boys, he pleasantly re-
buked their vices and aimed in a pleasant
way to correct their faults to make them
better men.
Judge Houghton's Character.
All who came in contact with Corade
Houghton recognized in him an honest
man. the nobIest work of God. When a
client presented his case, he brought it
to a judge whose judgment was accepted
as just, for he was a just man, believing
the highest office of man was to be just,
as a minister of God. He was in the
truest sense a charitable man. never re-
fusing aid to the worthy poor.
He was in all things thoughtful. careful
and helpful. Thoughtfulness was follow
ed by carefulness, and carefulness pro-
duced helpfulness. He regarded service
as the highest duty to his fellowmen He
Iabored to the full measure of his ability,
and the chord was literally broken by
too great a strain. He never held up but
always labored He never loitered by the
way. lest some one might suffer by his
neglect. Time was too precious to be
wasted in holiday. Life was too short
to walt for tomorrow.
1t may be said no one ever saw better
man, better citizen. more faithful
friend, and well 1t may be asked. will we
look on his like again? SO lived and