Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-10
TRIBUTE To MEMORYOF
JOHN GILBERT NJ MUTT
Bar Association in Terre Haute
Shocked by Death of PrOmi-
nent Attorney

Tho Vigo County Bar association,
with many prominent members Of the
Indiana bar, met in the superior court
room at Terre Haute, Ind, to pay
their respects to the memory of the
late John Gilbert McNutt, formerly a
member of the bar in Terre Haute,
who died last week in Los Angeles,
and extend their sincere condolences
to his father, Judge c. F. McNutt Of
Los Angeles.
The meeting was presided over by
Judge John p. Cox of the superior
court and was one of the most I'M
pressive gatherings ever held in Terre
Haute The lovable character and
sterling qualities of the big-hearted
attorney called forth many tributes
from his old-time associates of the IN
diana bar and the brief but tender
speeches frequently moved both the
speakers and hearers to tears.
After many spontaneous eulogies to
their former associate, Attorney John
e. Lamb read the following resolu-
tions, which had been adopted by the
Terre Haute Bar association:
READ RESOLUTIONS
Jobn Gilbert McNutt. an honored member Of
this bar, was born in Johnson county Indiana
on the July 10. 1853, and died in Los Angeles
Cal. on March "a, 1910. His early life was
spent at Franklin and Martinsvile, where he
attended the public schools and learned the
printers trade, from which so many noted
men have risen TO position and emlnence. ne
attended Bloomington university whie ms
father was dean of the faculty of that school.
His father resigned this position, and moved
with his family to Terre Haute in the year
1877, John Gilbert being then Is years OF age
His father opened law office. and was I'M
business Of Nigo county. His son rSau law
I'm his office, and with him unel 1851
when no formed a law partnership with sam sam
uel r Hamill, which was dissolved IN loo-i
when the deceased formed a partnership with
his father. They practiced law toEether unlll
1885, under the firm name OF McNutt q NC
Mutt when his brother, Finley A. now
prominent member Of this bar, resigned from
the navy to take a place In the trm; rms
firm continued In the practice OF the law as
thus constituted until 1890, when Judge NC
Mutt, the senior member OF the hrm, was
elected Judge of the superior court or tnis
county. His sons remained together until the
first day OF January, 1908, when Harry ,.
Wallace was taken into tho firm, Wnlch IS
now McNutt, McNutt & Wallace. During all
the years of the existence of this hrm 1t mas
ranked as one Of the leading law firms IN
one side or the other, In practically all OF
the important litigation In the courts or TINS
and the adjoining counties. 1t Is no dlspar-
agement Of the other members or the hrin 10
taned and its success In the handling OF the
causes entrusted to It, was In very marked
degree attributable to the unusual combina-
tion of character and ability possessed py the
subject of this memorial. His discriminating
knowledge of men and motives, his marked
1delity to his clients and his enthusiasm In
their cause. his ready gift OF Speech MS COM
manding personal appearance and magnetism.
his power Of analysis and inexhaustible Vocap-
ulary made him trial lawyer of few equals
and no superiors at the bar of this state. In
tho presentation OF facts to the jury. and OF
law to tho court, he was not only strong, out
almost invulnerable. In the cross-examination
Of witnesses his skill was proverbial, and the
witness who attempted by evasion or conceal
rnent to suppress the truth under the fire Of
his persistent cross-examination was indeed
fortunate If he escaped the ordeal without
exposition and humiliation
EFADER In POLITICS
Strong as he was as a lawyer he was
equally well known and equally promi-
nent as an active participant in the politics
of the state. From his early man MOOD ne
manifested a keen interest In politics. and
at once took high rank as one of the influ-
ential factors in the Democratic party. 10
which he was greatly devoted. In truth ne
was intense by nature. Intense IN the pur-
suit of his engagements in whatever Held
of activity. Intense in his love Tor ms
family. Intense in his devotion TO MS trlenus
and intense in his party fealty'
His first political preferment was When
he was appointed assistant United STATES
district attorney in 1885. He brought 10