The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1917-02-23
(. 4. HATCHER. ONE
Of STATES GREAT
LAWYERS II CALLED
DEATH COMES ALMOST WITHOUT
WARNING TO ONE OF FIRST
CITIZENS OF COUNTY.
FORTY YEARS MEMBER OF BAR
Exceptional Ability Had Been Recoo-
nIzed by Bench and Bar and Public
Was One Of the Greatest Readers
And Students Of This Section.

Ethelbert Henry Hatcher, one OF the
foremost lawyers Of Tennessee, for
many years leader at the Columbia
bar, several times by special appoint
ment Judge upon the circuit and
chancery and supreme courts and
widely known all over the state, died
very suddenly at his home, Blythe
wood, near Columbia, at o'clock on
Saturday night. Death came almost
without warning, Mr.. Hatcher having
been to his office Saturday as usual
and busily engaged in preparing some
law cases. When he returned to his
home shortly before night as was his
custom, he went to his room. His
evening meal was sent in to him and
q short time afterward his son,
Charles, was attracted to the room by
a sound OF distress. He found his
father unconscious and the end came
before medical aid. which was prompt
ly summoned, could be secured.
The news Of the death Of Mr.. Hatch
err was great shock to the people of
the city and county. He was held in
the highest esteem and numbered
warm personal friends by the. hun
derds. For several years he had not
been in good health, but had continued
his legal work in spite Of growing in
and only last week attended
The supreme court hearing In Nash
Vile Of. the argument in the noted
Harlan land case.
Mr.. Hatcher was born In Maury
county on July 4, 1S47, and would
have been seventy years Of age at his
next birthday. He was son OF the
ate Rev. p. H. Hatcher. distin-
guished member of the Tennessee
OF the Methodist Episcopal
,hurch, South. He was one Of the
brightest young ministers Of the
church, but died early.
After attaining manhood Mr.. Hatch |
sr went to Weakley county and locat
ID at Dresden, where he taught school. |
He was afterward elected county SUI
,erintendent Of Weakley county, an
,ffice that he filed with such satisfac
ion and fidelity that to the end he
retained the good will and love of all
If the older citizens Of the county.
Forty years ago Mr.. Hatcher en-
cred upon the practice Of law in Co
umbia, and soon forged to the front
IS one Of the first lawyers Of the state
lie had very large and lucrative
Practice. For many years he was the |
aw partner Of Hon. George T. Hughes
mother leader Of the Columbia bar.
dr. Hatcher appeared as counsel on
me side or the other Of the majority |
i the great legal cases that have been
fled In the courts Of this county dur
ng the past third Of q century. His
plendid legal attachments we're recog
lized by bar bench and the public.
There never lived in Tennessee
awyer who worked harder, who more
thoroughly mastered the details of his
,ases, or who went to court better
with his lawsuits than E. H.
hatcher. He worked for the sheer
owe Of work. 1t mattered not to him
whether his fee was large or small.
whether the case involved little or
great sum. he gave to his client and
o the subject matter OF the litigation
he very best that was in him. He
would do thousand dollars worth Of
york. If he thought it necessary, as
quickly in thousand dollar lawsuit
s be would in one involving one hun
red times that sum.
Mr.. Hatcher served for some time In
he nineties by special appointment to
he supreme court Of the state and
ne Of the opinions that he wrote in