Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-09-16
ALEXANDER OUNNETT DEAD
One OF Vermonts Leading Lawyers
Once U. $. District Attorney-Prom-
inent Republican

st. .Tohnsbury Sept 4-Alexandcr Dun
nett died at his summer home in Groton
at noon to-day after a protracted period
of illness.
Mr.. Dunnett came OF Scotch ancestry
and was born in Peacham November ~.
1852. being the song of Andrew and
Christiana (Galbraith) Dunnett He was
educated In the public schools of Peacham
and Ryegate and at the old Newbury
Seminary. He was graduated from the
Randolph Normal school in the class OF
1874. During his educational period he
taught school at Monroe, N H., Topsham,
Randolph and Rochester. After leaving
the normal school he remained In Ran
dolph for short time and began the
study of law IN the office Of Nelson l..
Boyden. He completed his professional
education in 1879 at the law school of
Boston University. At the June term OF
Orange county court in 1877 he was ad-
mitted to the Vermont bar and began
practice In the village of South Ryegate.
He came TO 81. Johnsbury In 1889. where
he has since resided and where in the
past 81 years he has enjoyed a large gen.
eraI practice and became recognized as
one Of the leading trial lawyers in the
State. For the first three years he was
In partnership with Albro F. Nichols, now
clerk Of Caledonia county court. For the
next nine years he was alone and in 1888
the Arm of Dunnett & Slack was estab-
Iished, the Junior member being the Hon.
L. r. Slack. now of the Vermont Supreme
Court. This partnership lasted until 1913
when Charles Leslie OF Hillsboro, n. D.,
succeeded Judge Slack and for two years
the firm was known as Dunnett & Leslie.
In 1915 Charles a. Shields came from
Montreal TO become partner In the firm
I,t< IA VII
70 ST. Johnsbury from Bradford and the
firm Is now Dunnett. Shields & Conant.
Mr.. Dunnett has been a lifelong re-
publican and active In the political life
Of the community and state. He was
state's attorney from 1885 to 1890 and
a member OF the famous State Senate
OF 1900 which included ex-Gov. Gates,
Co... Clement, Judge stanton the late
!. A. DeBoer and others equally prom
inent in State affairs. In 1900 he was
chairman of the Republican State con-
vention and last June he went to
Chicago as chairman or the Vermont
delegation to the republican national
convention. From 1905 to 1915 he was
United States district attorney. re-
signing to become a candidate for Con-
eress in the second district, but fail
ing to receive the nomination at the
convention at White River Junction
which lasted over 12 hours. During
his federal appointment he success
fully prosecuted postoffice thieves.
embezzling postnasters. defrauders of
customs and railroads that violated
federal laws. being frequently called to
Washington to consult the heads of
depa rtments in the judiciary. treasury
and postoffice. He was also chairman
Of the commission to settle the boun-
dairy line between Vermont and New
Hampshire and was at one time prom
inently mentioned for governor. As a
campaign speaker he was forceful and
effective.
Mr.. Dunnett was married three
times. his last wife being Mrs. Ella
Chalmers. who with her son and
daughter survive him. His home was
enriched by a choice library and that
portion OF IL pertaining to the law
was one OF the most valuable in the
State. He belonged to the various Ma
sonic bodies including the Shrine and
had been at one time president of the
Vermont Bar association. He was trus-
tee OF Norwich University and also of
Brightlook Hospital in st. Johnsbury.
The funeral will be held Friday
forenoon at II o'clock at the Presby-
terrain Church at South Ryegate and
will be conducted by the Rev. George