El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-02-15
JUDGE MORRISON,
MEXICAN WAR
VETERAN DIES
Eminent Irish-A American
Patriot Gathered to
His Fathers
GARFIELD MADE
HIM MARSHAL

Santa Feans were shocked and
grieved today to hear that Judge
AlexandersL. Morrison, for many years
a resident Of this city and prominent
in the political and religious life of
the capital, died Of old age this morn
ing al Prescott, Arizona. He was So
years old.
The body will be brought to Santa
Fe for interment and, 1t is expected to
arrive Thursday noon. The exact date
of the funeral has not yet been de-
termined.
Judge Morrison left his home in
Santa Fe in November for Prescott to
attend a family reunion of four gene
r~ations, as he has several sons living
in Arizona. He was apparently in the
best of health until a few days ago,
according to letters received here by
his son, A. L. Morrison, Jr.
Judge Morrison was a native of
ireland. He was born in B~allycastle,
Antrim county, October 20, 1881. He
emigrated to America in 1916 and
volunteered in the Second New York
Infantry in the wal with Mexico. He
was one of the few veterans of the
Mexican war left in this country, and
always took pride in wearing his
badge.
Receiving an honorable discharge
in New Orleans, Mr.. Morrison return
ed to Ireland, hoping to aid in the
liberation of his native land, but soon
after his arrival he was suspected of
aiding the cause Of Ireland's freedom
and was arrested and Jailed. He re-
manned in prison six months and then
was released without any trial.
Returns to America
Mr. Morrison decided to return to
America, glad again to set foot on a
free soil. He worked at the chair
makers trade and in 1850 he moved
to Troy, N. Y. In 1855 he moved to
Chicago where he worked at his trade
and then read law. He was a justice
of the peace there for a long time and
was admitted to practice law in 1871.
He was subsequently elected a mem
Der of the state legislature. He was
a warm supporter and friend of Gen
eral John A. Logan and of General
Garfield. Mr.. Morrison was promised
the position of U. s. marshal in New
Mexico by Mr.. Garfield, and President
Arthur carried out the promise after
Mr.. Garfield's death.
Came to New Mexico in 1881
1T was in 1881 that Judge Morrison
came to New Mexico and located in
Santa Fe, having been appointed III
s. marshal. He held this position I'M
til after the election of President
F.. Cleveland. When Mr.. Harrison was
elected president. Mr.. Morrison was
appointed register of the land Office
here. He held this position until Mr..
Cleveland again came into power,
when he stepped out of Office. He re.
entered political life later on as in
ternal revenue collector holding the
position from 1897 to 1906.
Since he quit Office Mr.. Morrison
spent his time in the study of history
and literature and was a frequent con-
tributor to newspapers, including the
New Mexican. He was regarded as
an eloquent speaker, and often was in
demand on public occasions. He was
a sincere patriot as any n who
heard him deliver a Fourth of July or
alton will attest.
Judge Morrison married Miss Jane
Clark, of Troy, N. Y, in July 1851.
She was a descendant of a prominent
Irish family. She died in Santa Fe
many years ago. There are six chill
dren surviving Judge Morrison: Rob-
ert Emmett, formerly U. s. district at
torney of Arizona, now living in Pres
colt; Alexander L. Jr., of this city;
John ", of Carmel, Calf; Hugh ON,
Of Nogales, Arizona; Joseph A., for
merly U. s. district attorney of Ariz-
ona, living in Phoenix; Erin, a sister
of Loretto, living in Loretto Heights
Academy, Denver, for the past 25
years. There was a second daughter, Y
Mary, who died several years ago. 4
Judge Morrison leaves also many
Grand children and several great
grand children.
A Devout Catholic
Judge Morrison will be remembered
by many Santa Feans because of the
fine example Of piety he set during
the decades he lived here. He was a I
devout Catholic and attended mass (
nearly every morning at the Cathed- 6
raj. He visited the church several 6
times a day, week days or Sundays. (
He was a frequent communicate, and v
despite his great age attended SER '
vices as early as 6 o'clock in the 4
morning.
He was a lover of Santa Fe, and C
many of his friends expressed re- t
greet that he did not realize his de- +
sire to die in this city. He had ex- S
pressed the wish more than once to G
in his house on Palace avenue d
where his wife had lived and died. r