The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1909-03-02
VOL. xxxvI.
I'm MEMORIAM.

u
by the court, to be spread upon the
record:
The death Of Thomas Peyton Hill.
which occurred at his home in Stanford
Dec. 6, 1908. marks a notable event In
the neurology Of this bar. His charac
ter, gifts and professional attanments;
his clear conception Of elemental prin-
ciples: the exceptional lucidity Of his
exposltions Of what the law Is and what
the law should be; his engaging person
atty and charm Of conversation; his de-
votion, almost chivalrous, to the honor
of his profession: his loyalty to cause
and client-tbese are part Of the things
which gave prominence TO his long pro-
fessional life, which attracted notice to
his death. and which will serve to make
the memory Of him enduring.
Mr.. Hin was born Aug. 30. 1896. On
the paternal side he was Of Catholic
lineage. A remote ancestor was q
member Of the colony which, under the
patronage Of Lord Baltimore. settled
Maryland. During the Revolutionary
war some of the descendants Of this an
eestor followed the banner Of John Ea-
ger Howard. Of the Maryland line. and
others have since achieved distinction
in law, theology and literature.
On the maternal side. he was descend
ed from the Peytons Of Virginia. whose
lives and character are interviewer with
the history of that ancient Common
wealth.
MIR. Hill was prepared for the prac-
tiee Of law under the tuteiage OF Hon.
John Kincaid, Of Lincoln county. him
self Justly esteemed as one Of the great
lawyers Of Kentucky who laid the
foundations Of her Jurisprudence. The
habits Of thought Of the teacher were
strongly impressed upon the pupil, who
proved himself capable Of assimllating
the lessons impaired. Upon procuring
a license. Mr.. Hill moved TO Missouri
to engage in the practice. but soon re-
turned 10 Kentucky. located in Wayne
county. where he was appointed county
attorney in the year lSiS. Thence he
moved 10 Pulaski county. where he
practiced with success until about 1854,
when he returned to Lincoln county,
where he lived continuously until his
death. In 1866 he formed a partnership
with J. W. Alcorn. which continued un-
I'll 1887, when il was dissolved by mu-
tual consent. Thereafter he entered in.
TO partnership with Hon. 7. NJ. Nc
Roberts. which was dissolved in 1901
by Mr.. Hills retirement. not from m
hvmity but only because he had reach
ed that period of life when men who
have earned competency prefer ia
cease from active labor. Though de-
clining professional employment. he
was daily at the Office Of his late part
ner and habitually manifested a lively
interest IN the procedure Of the courts.
During the whole period Of hts retire
ment and until death had almost laid It's
hand upon him. his counsel was sought
by and freely given to members OF his
profession.
One of the most noted traits OF his
character, and the one by which he vii
be most afFectionately remembered boy
hts juniors. was his sincere and unset
fish interest in young men as they en-
tered on the study of the law. IL Is
likely true. that excepting the profes
sors in Colleges of Law. no Kentucky
lawyer ever taught as many young men
II " also likely true. that but few, II
any, lawyers in Kentucky taught theil
pupils more accurately, assiduously o.
thoroughly than he. His knowledge Of
the common law was broad and deeT
and built upon its history. His under
standing Of the science of pleading
that tombstone Of precision and cleal
thinking, was exact. The Jurisprudence
OF Equity he learned from the masters
and he was able to contribute to il
symmetry and growth.
Because of his surprising power as .
public speaker, made all the more i'm
pressive by his musical. well modulated
voice, the distinctness Of his articu
lation, the richness Of his imagery com
bined with a magnetism which thrille'
an audience like an electric current, h
will possibly be best remembered b,
the public as an orator. His brethrel
of the profession, however. long knew
that his highest powers were displaye'