Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-13
Answers First Call to War.

Judge Lurton was born in Campbell
county, Ken. February 26. 1874, the
son of Lycurgus B. and Susan Ann Har-
mon Lurton, natives of the blue grass
state. Judge Lurtons father years ago
was a practicing physician, but in 1870
was ordained a minister in the Protestant
Episcopal Church
| Judge Lurton's early education was re-
ceived from private instructors, but in
1883 he went to Chicago and entered
Douglas University, later the University
of Chicago The civil war brought a halt
to the completion Of his collegiate train
ing. for at the first bugle blast. Young
| Lurton hurried south and offered his
services. He was enlisted in the 3jth
Tennessee, and was made sergeant
major.
| In February, 1852, Sergeant Lurton was
discharged on account Of ill health, but
he was not idle long, as he returned In
time to take part in the battle of Fort
Donelson, where he was taken prisoner
and confined in Camp Chase He escaped
| in the spring of 1862 and promptly en-
listed in the Sd Kentucky Cavalry, with
which he served until July, 1863. when
he was again captured, this time in Ohio
on MorganS famous raid.
| Judge Lurton remained in prison until
the end of the war. when he entered the
law department of Cumberland Cnfver-
sity, Lebanon, Tenn, and was graduated
| in February, 1867. and entered at once
into practice at GAINESVILLE, Tenn.
| Becomes Tennessee Chancellor.
In January. 1875. Judge Lurton was ap-
pointed by Gov. Porter chancellor of the
sixth chancery division of Tennessee, to
It'll the vacancy occasioned by the resig-
nation of Charles G. Smith. At the ex-
piration of the term In 1876 he was elect
ed to the office without opposition. but
in 1878 he resigned.
From 1878 to 1856 he practiced law al
lClarksville. In 1856 he was elected a
justice of the supreme court of Tennes-
see and in January, 1893 by vote Of his
colleagues became chief justice in place
of Peter Turney. who was Governor-eleci
of Tennessee. Two months later he was
lappointed by President Cleveland c1rcuf,
Judge of the sixth United States circuit
to succeed Howell f. Jackson, who had
been elevated to the United States
Supreme bench.
The next sixteen years he served in
that capacity, although an effort was
made to have him appointed a Supreme
Court justice during the administration
Roosevelt offered the robe to the Their
Judge Taft the latter refused It, anC
urged that Justice Lurton be named
Because OF his reputation as a corpora
| ton supporter. President Roosevelt re-
fused, and appointed Justice Moody.
Opposition to Appointment.
When it was learned that Presiden,
Taft was about to appoint Justice Lur.
ton considerable opposition developed in
the Senate, and for a time 1t was be-
lieved the confirmation would be OBJ
tanned only after a hard fight. Because
of a fear that any discussion nigh,
cause a lack of confidence should the
appointment be confirmed anyway, this
was avoided but the vote showed six
senator's ON the opposition side.
| January 3 Justice Lurton took the
office. and his first case was the tobacco
trust fight.
! Judge Lurton was for many years q
vestryman in Trinity Episcopal Church,