The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
MEMORIAL SERVICES
FOR 5. J. WALTON
Members of Somerset
Co. Bar Pay Tributes
Impressive Ceremonies Mark the
Closing of the January Term OF
Supreme Court


Memorial services for the late Hon.
Sylvester ]. Walton, a former presi-
dent OF the Somerset County Law and
Library Association marked the clos
ing of the January term of the Su-
preme Judicial court here last Satur-
day. President George w. Cover.
announced the death Of Mr.. Walton
referring to him as distinguished
member of the Somerset County Bar.
Judge c. O. Small of Madison pres
ented a biographical sketch OF the
deceased and read a set of resolutions
for adoption. President George w.
Cover then read a letter from J. w.
Manson of Pittsfield, the message con-
veying his regrets at not being able to
be in attendance at the Memorial SER
vice. Mr.. Manson stated In the
course of his letter that Mr.. Walton
was 1.-The most clever and most sue
cessful in hard cases of any man at the
bar" A tribute prepared by Hon.
s. W. Gould was then read by Judge
Small and l.. L. Walton, nephew and
former partner of the deceased, added
"reminiscences, of his uncle saying that
he believed he would not wish them
to be solemn. In the course of his
talk Mr.. Walton mentioned that in
his grandfather family S. ]. Walton
was the seventh son, while the ele-
vehth child was daughter, the only
girl in the family. To the memory
of this little child who died at the
age of ten years Mr.. Walton offered
a touching tribute, comparing her to
the little Eva of Uncle Toms Cabin.
His talk informally given told of the
characteristics and former business
activities of his late partner, giving
perhaps as his main characteristics,
originality and courage.
Chief Justice Cornish reviewed the
deaths of Somerset County Attorneys
during the fourteen years he had been
judge of the Supreme Court. He
mentioned Hon. Forrest Goodwin of
Skowhegan, T. B. Barrett of Skowhe-
ean: Thomas J. Young of Scion. D.
D. Stewart of st. Adams; q N. Mer-
rill Of Skowhegan, and Judge Angus
tine Simmons of North Asson. The
Chief Justice then gave two reminis-
ences of Mr.. Walton in connection
with Kennebec County cases, and af-
ter referring to the virtues of the de-
ceased and the pleasures he had de-
rived from his company, he added,
"He has left a sweet memory which
we shall all cherish" Court was
then adjourned by Sheriff Mooers. The
following resolutions were spread on
the records together with the splen-
did biography prepared by Judge
Small, the able tribute presented by
Ex-Congressman Gould and the let
ter from Attorney Manson.
RESOLUTIONS
The Committee appointed by this
Bar to prepare resolutions on the
death of Sylvester Joshua Walton
present the following and ask that
they be adopted:
Whereas Somerset Bar Associaticn
deeming it both fitting and proper to
place upon its records some suitable
and permanent testimonial of its ap-
probation of the life, work and cha
racter of it's late member, Sylvester
Joshua Walton who died in this viii
lage on the Sth day of May, 1920, at
the age of eighty-three years, and
who for fifty-eight years was a men,
Der of this Bar; therefore be 1t
Resolved: That by the death of
Brother Walton this Bar has lost a
highly respected and esteemed men,
Der, who for many years was its pre-
sident and who always took deep in
terest in it's welfare; that the legal
profession has lost brother of high
legal attachments and deep legal
learning, and one who was always
courteous, kindly and considerate, and
an advocate of much ability both In
the courts and in other fields; be
1t further
Resolved: That the people of this
community and county have lost a
foremost citizen; one who had re-
presented them ably and we'll in both
branches of our State Legislature; a
patriotic citizen, who quickly and
cheerfully responded to his country's
call In it's hour of need and helped
to present from description; a
townsman deeply interested in the
welfare of his town and community
- - o--~-'-' good work and caTs0
hat tended to make them better and
it's people more prosperous and hap
py; a neighbor, one of the best, who
always delighted in doing those little
acts of neighborly kindness and
thoughtfulness which oftentimes and
so much and are so helpful to the
recipient 1t may be in the hour Of
darkest gloom and dependency. and
cost the doer so little; a man Of
high and unreproachable character
and one of whom it may truthfully be
said,
"The elements were So mixed
In him,
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