The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-18
JOHN |, GR|FF|THS
CALLED BY DEATH
At LONDON POST
Noted Indiana Lawyer Dies
Suddenly-Former c.. o.
p. Candidate for Governor,
Becomes Consular Success.

INDIANAPOLIS. May 1s-The
death of John L. Griffiths, American
consul general at London, which oc-
CURED suddenly last night in London,
has removed from public life one of
Indiana's most brilliant men. The
news of his death came as a shock to
Indianapolis and Indiana people in
general
Dispatches received In Washington
stated that Mr.. Griffiths had been
somewhat indisposed for the last two
or three weeks, but at no time was
his condition such as to cause alarm.
Sunday he was so much improved, in
fact appeared to be entirely recovered,
that he spent part of the afternoon
driving with Mrs. Griffiths. Shortly af-
ter he retired last night he was strick-
en- and before physicians reached his
apartments, death had ensued. Heart
disease is believed to have been tho
cause.
To Bring Body Homo.
1t was said here today that the State
department at Washington was ar
ranging to have the body of Mr.. Grif
fiths brought to the United States for
burial at Indianapolis.
Mr. Griffith occupied the top notch
position in the consular service of the
United States. Two times a candidate
for Governor Of Indiana on the Repub-
lican ticket and, twice defeated, he re-
mained staunch Republican and as
sisted materially in President Roose-
velt's race for the presidency in 1904.
He stumped the country in that cam
paign and the splendid results of his
efforts attracted the attention Of
Roosevelt and the then national chair
man, George B. Cortelyou. The latter
suggested that Mr.. Griffiths be re-
warded and his appointment as consul
to Liverpool was announced in 1905.
Mr.. Griffiths made many friends in
Liverpool and became a prime favor
ite in the government circles of Eng
land, besides making good" from the
start with the State Department In
May, 1909, he was named by President
Taft as consul general at London, sue
ceeding Robert j. Wynne.
Salary Lucrative.
The consul generalship at London
formerly made its occupants wealthy
in few years Of service 1t was held
by the late John C. New Of Indianapo-
lis, at a time when the annual fees
were large fortune. A few years ago
Congress abolished the fee system,
and since then the consul general at
London has been on a straight salary
of $4,000 year The only other con-
sular place that pays as much salary
is that of consul general at Paris, but
the London post is supposed to be of
higher rank in Importance than that
of the French capital.
OF late years Mr.. Griffiths had de-
voted much of his time to writing a
| prehensive review of the life Of
the late President Benjamin Harrison.
| For more than thirty years Mr.. Grif
fiths had been identified with the pub
lie life of Indianapolis and Indiana He
was born in New York, Oct. 7, 1855.
his parents being David and Elizabeth
Griffiths. His father was engaged in
the mercantile business, but the
, tastes of the son did not run to those
of the father.
Decides For Law.
The first fourteen years of Mr.. Grif-
! fith's life were spent in obtaining a
thorough common school education.
! Even at IA Mr. Griffiths had decided
upon a career in the legal profession.
! Upon leaving the common schools OF
| New York he removed to Iowa to con-
tinue his education. A short time af-
! terward he entered the Iowa State
University and, casting aside athletics
and the pleasures of the ordinary
youth, devoted his entire time to the
study Of literature and law. In these
two things he early determined to ex-
Gel.
| At 19 he graduated from the collegi-
ate department of the university with
high honors and with the additional
distinction of having been the young
est person to graduate from the insti-
tuition. A year later he graduated from
the law department, having previously
t spent much time in reading law in the
office Of prominent attorney.
| Full of knowledge, but with little ex-
perience. Mr.. Griffith came to Indiana
polls a few months later and since
that time had been closely identified
with public life. He Immediately en-
tered the office of Duncan and Duncan,
only to go into the office Of English
and Wilson short time afterward
In 1877, deciding to practice for him
self, Mr.. Griffiths formed a partner
| ship with A. F.. Potts. which continued
uninterrupted until 1898, and they de-
voted much of their time to criminal
practice. In later years Mr. Griffiths
practically devoted his time to corpor-
alton practice.