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8 TMJj; WILSiCNuKIXXM ALEbSEaS'GlfiJR FKfDAy NOVEMBER 28, 1(J8 JUDGE MEARES DIED YESTERDAY EVENING One of the Most Prominent Men in Eastern North Carolina -Judge of the Criminal Court for a Period of 21 Years. He Was a Lawyer of Consider able Ability. Last evening at 5:23 o'clock, Judge versity of North Carolina, graduating Oliver Pendleton Meares passed quietly j in the clas3 cf 1348. He then com away at his home on South Third street menced the study of .law under Judge after an illness. extending over several j Battle, of the University law school. months. The end was not unexpected, but nevertheless it came as a great shock to his family and friends. Death was due to heart disease. His condi tion had been critical for some time past and on Tuesday he grew much . (worse and it was realized that the end J was near. Those who were near and dear to him were notified, and Mrs. H. B. Short, of Lake Waccamaw, his daughter, came to the city on a special train. Her husband was in the north, but he will be here today. Mrs. Baltzer, of Savannah, another daughter who has a very sick child and it is hardly probable that she will be here. Mr. O. P. Meares, Jr., is expected this morn ing from his home in Georgia The funeral will take place this after noon at 3:30 o'clock from Sa. James Episcopal church and interment will be in Oakdale cemetery. Wll V t)i rSUUIClUU ideal co uti , in the rltv of Wilmington. New Han- I Ai: T1 Mhmi. woa harn I county, of this state, on Febru- j over ary 24th, 1828. He was the sixth sen ' P Williom Tr,lTr!;.T-o IToiroc find I Catharine G. Davis. His father was distinguished in his day as a lawyer, planter and statesman, and in a sketch of him, published in "The Eminent and Representative Men of the, Carolinas," the autnor says: "He was gifted to an extraordinary degree with moral courage, frankness and honesty of purpose, was bold in the expression of his opinions and looked with contempt upon these seekers of public honors who were mere followers in the wake of public opinio w5 intellectual characteris- X IPililSiiillllpiPI ' " - ;' ' . i ' ' 5.:. 'Sy ' " ' ZB f JUDGE OLIVER PENBLETOX MEARES, tics were chiefly those of great logi cal power; quickness of perception and a wonderful power of concentra tion. He was a man emphatically of progressive ideas and throughout his career he was an ardent advocate and supporter of the state University as well as of an efficient system of pub lic schools throughout the state. He was an earnest and zealous advocate of the construction of railroads and other works of internal improcement; and U was truly said of him at his death that he had lived more than fifty years in advance of his people." It may be truly said cf Judge Meares that in Tigor of mrnd and in dependence of character, he strongly resembled his father, and what is said above of his father may be as truly said of him. His mother, Catharine G. Davis, was a daughter of General Thomas Davis, who was an officer of the war of 1812 and prominent in this section of the state as a lawyer and a public leader. She was a woman of beauty, culture and refinement, and exerted a strong influence upon the educa tional development of her children. The early environment of his boy- hood, and youth were those of educa- as a democratic speaker and leader. Uon, 'intellectual culture and social re- i Je exerted a strong influence upon -.. . . A... j the policies of his party and the state finement; advantages, that, if utilized, . at that time) enjoyillg the confidence :. tterelop character, and in the person I and respect of public men and citi of Judge Meares were strikingly mani- ' zens, particularly of this section, of tested His youth indicated strength j th state-- His speeches In these cam- a A . i paigns were notable for their fearless of character and settled purpose. He denunciation of the corruption and was prepared for college at the Bing- j misrule both in local and state govern- fcam school and Caldwell institute and ! ment of the radica- Prty that at that , .. ... .. J time, dominated this county and state, completed his education at the Uni- j He was often m.ged by a large fol. In 1850 he was licensed to practice and from that timeuntil the breaking out of the war, he followed his rro fession either at the bar or on the bench, in his native state. He was appointed Cieric and blester in Equity, nn,Hnri cf nora than ordinary im portance under the old syst.-m of prac tice and pleading, the duties of which under the new system have b:en di vided between the Clert: and Judge of the Superior Court, and in this capac ity he served several years. Hi3 painstaking care and faithful dis charge of duty were exhibited by him in this position. He us.-d to relate the anecdote that, on one occasion, when he presented his docket to the late Judg- Caldwell for his approval the judge who was distinguished for his singularity of character, reproved him for the neatness sua care he had " " v.o . v - office fo1. said the ifc was lncon- 61S e naDlls CI a syou iaw" yer- at the bar Aic xwc w tuv,v. : ana was recogmzcu as a suuug lawyer before the outbreak of the civil war. He was an old time Whig and active ly engaged as a public speaker in the campaigns of 1852, ?.85G and 18G0. He was an electoral candidate on the Fil more ticket in the campaign of 1856 His speeches in these campaigns were marked by mental vigor and political learning. After the election of President Lin coln, he became a secessionist and when his state seceded, he promptly entered the military service of the confederate states, as Captain of the Wilmington Riflle Guards," which company was afterwards known as Company "I," and was assigned to the 18th North Carolina regiment (Infan try). The companies first composing this regiment rendezvoused at Camp Wyatt, near Carolina Beach, and on July 1, 1SG1, organized by electing its field officers. Captain Oliver Pendle ton Meares was elected lieutenant colonel. He was subsequently assigned to the 61st North Carolina regi ment. He saw active service in the state in the battles of Kinston, Fort Fisher and Bentonsvills, and in Vir ginia in defense of Petersburg, also the assault on Fort Donnellson and in the battles of Cold Harbor and Drewery's Bluff, as well as other mil itary service. His military service was characterized by bravery, courage and devotion to the cause. In 1867, the legislature established the criminal court of 'New Hanover county, and elected Judge Meares to the office of judge. He held this posi tion until the adoption of the new constitution in July 1868. The new constitution did not provide for a criminal court, and his office was ter minated. He again entered upon the practice of his profession in this city and continued in active practice un til again re-elected to the bench. In the campaigns of 1868, 1870, 1872, and 1876, he took a most active part lowing in this section for congress, and was once a canddate for the democratic nomination, but did not receive the nomination and was soon, thereafter elevated to the bench. Had he entered congress in earlier life, there is little doubt that he would have attained distinction in that body and before the country. His stiong personality, which always commanded confidence and respect, and his intel lectual endowments, which were of a very high order, would have com bined to have placed him among tha first men of his day in the national councils. In 1877, the criminal court of New Hanover county was again created, and he was elected by the legislature to the office of judge of that court. serving eight years. In ISSo, the leg islature created the criminal circuit, composed of New Hanover and Meck lenburg counties and again elected him Judge of that court over which he presided ten years, when the crim inal court of New Hanover, Mecien burg, Robeson Vance, Edgecombe, Warren, Halifax and Craven was cre ated and he was appointed judge. Having presided over these courts for a period of twenty-one years, he re signed in 1807 and withdrew from ac tive life. He was one asked by Governor Scales if he would accept the appoint ment of the superior court judge, a va cancy having occurred, but he declin ed to do so, because of its duties sep arating him from his home. After his reirement from the bench in 1898, he did not again enter upon the prac tice of the law, and has since lived quietly at home in this city. He married in 1850 Miss Ann Eliza, the daughter of Dr. Thomas H. Wright, of this city, and a grand daughter of Judge Wright, who was a native of Wilmington. Dr. Wright, her father, was one of the leaiinj financiers of the state, president of the Bank of Cape Fear and a citizen of distinguished position; and his daughter, the wife of Judge Meares, was a lady of rare personal attrac tions, intelligence, refinement and gentle Christian character. Mrs. Meares died several years ago. The surviving children of this union are Miss Caroline Green Meares. Mr. Oli ver Pendleton Meares of Baconton, Ga., Mrs. H. B. Short cf Lake Wacca maw, and Mrs. Ernest V. Baltzer of Savannah, Ga. HIS CHARACTER AND PUBLIC SERVICE. The dominant characteristics of his mind were those of vigor, discrimina tion, independence and power of ex position. His mind quickly grasped and analyzed any subject he consider ed and in the formation of its con clusions, was not influenced by pre vailing fashionable opinion. He was in his aay a strong speaker and commanded great attention. In the clear exposition of any subject, in the presentation of facts and in argu ment, and particularly in command of forcible and direct language he was endowed with exceptional intellectual power. He seldom usecr an adjective; he rarely, if ever, used an illustration, but he spoke always with the strength of conviction, with dignity of manner and in clear forceful language. He could not have been the advocate of a cause, however popular, which did not approve, and he would have stood for any cause, which he deemed right and the occasion demanded, however unpopular, without fear or thought; of its personal consequences. His public reputation rests, bow- ever, primarily upon his long record, ability and character as a judgi?. By , tne military institutions or the state, this record he has renected great j and about twenty-live companies of credit upon his native county and state troops, there .vcic the survivor? state. When he first went upon the ' of Hampton's cavalry," mounted, a long bench, we were not sufficiently re- I "ne of Confederate veterans, ?ons of moved from the demoralizing tenden- j veterans and a stream cf ea'i s ocn cies of the war to have restored this t taining distinguished guests. There section and state to normal condi- tions. There was much general law lessness and the criminal courts, over which he presided, were created in the first instance to meet unusual condi tions. He brought to the bench the ! the speakers and invited guests, ripened experience of the lawyer and Tne exercises were cpencd with the publicist and those qualities of i prayer by Bishop Ellison Capers, fol strength and power that marked his lowed by a short address by B. A. Mor Ufe and character. Having high an of Greenville, who presented the ideals of the duties and responsibil- j statue to the state on behalf of the ities of his position, he presided with ; monument commission. In accepting dignity, firmness and impartiality, tbe statue, Governor D. C. Hey ward de and his court and name soon created . Hvered a splendid address, introducing a powerful influence in the repression ; General M. C. Butler, the orator of the of crime. ' ay- He presided over this court and In i When General Butler hdd concluded this city for many years, when c:ndi- tne eulogy uPn his comrade in arms tions were unsettled, but so strong and colleague in congress, state Sen was the respect for the court and so 1 atOT Richard I Manning read a beauti f eared was it by the lawless element, ful oem dedicated to the occasion by we did not have the disorder which j James Henry Rice Jr. followed upon his retirement. Had . " . he remained on the bench it Is more DEATH OF GEN. JOHN H. BRYANT. than probable that the causes, which ' led to our local revolution of 1898, i woud not have arisen. After Judge j Meares retired, the administration of ; the criminal court tended to destroy respect for law, and with the loosening of the reigns of justice, the criminal instinct of our lawless ele ment, with its constant, accession from other localities, became ram part and defiant. Had the law at that time been firmly enforced we would have been spared the necessity of that revolution, which was brought about more by social than political unrest. His prompt and practical dispatch of the business of the court and his careful oversight of its expenses con- tributed through his judicial district to the reduction of the cost of the ad- ministration of the criminal law. His life was one of singular purety of purpose and rectitude of conduct. He was temperate in all habits, regu- lar In the performance of his work, observant of his soci&i duties and at tentive to his domestic relations. He was frank, candid and open-minded both in public and private relations. He was pronounced in his convic- tions either upon public questions or private subjects, and he - was bold in the expression of his opinions when occasion arose and utterly indifferent to their effect upon his personal inter- est. He despised the hypocrite, hated the policy man; perhaps, in f his con- tempt of hypocrisy and selfish fcxpe - diency he unintentionally approached intolerance. His interest in public affairs was born of his conscientious conviction as to the duty of 'citizen ship. He had no selfish ambitions and did not seek public honors for personal aggrandizement. He did not seek applause, nor fear criticism, either of which he received with un concern. He avoided sensationalism by instinct in all relations and depre- cated the seeking of public or private popularity. He little thought cf self, either In personal or public relations, and his mind was devoid of egotism. He would not flatter; he could cot fawn. He was courteous to msn. nor was his uniform courtesy abated to rebuke questionable conduct or puncture the sham of false nretense. He was gentle and deferential to wo- men. with chivalrv. but not ea'Ian- try. He loved little children who would gather around him nd chat with him as if a playmate. He had . respect for religion and equal con tempt for its cloak, and, in it all, he was sincere, with a sincerity that un consciously spoke itself in manner, expression and speech. He had al ways been a regular attendant at church, and in later years he became a devout communicant cf the Episco pal church. He was not only bonest in conviction, speech and conduct, but he was honorable, and his honor was inviolable. He was a man or strong constitution, wnicn temierait; nabits had preserved until the coming on of old age, Endowed uat.iraily with a strong, vigorous and practical . mind, its clearness was preserved in , him until his end. He was dignified i in appearance, with an intclic-ctual and forceful cauntenance, and in per sonal conversation was fond of annec dotes, reminiscences and intelligent discussion. In his estimate cf m.n and analysis of character or events, he displayed an Intuitive insight. In his judgment of men, he was appre ciative of virtues and intolerant of ; evil. He was not a demonstrative , man in his general intercourse, but , beneath a calm reserve of manner he was cordial and considerate. Born and reared under the influences cf the olL south, he reverenced its rec ord and traditions, but permitted neither to dominate him with linger . ing regrets of the past. He believed his state and section uad progressed in higher civilization, i on different lines, and was in thorough sympathy . with the progressive development of . the period through which he lived in his later years. Warm in his affec tions, he was reverenced and beloved in his own home; loyal in his relation ships and friendships, he was held in affectionate esteem by relatives and friends; true to duty, as a private cit izen, as a soldier, as a judge, he al : ways enjoyed in a .high degree the confidence, respect and admiration of the citizens of this state and section. THE W ADE HAMPTON STATUE. . Unveiled With Appropriate Ceremonies Before a Crowd of Many Thousands in Columbia Oration by General R. C. Butler. Columbia, S. C, November 20. The equestrian statue to the memory of pTVade Hampton was imveile-i here to- f rlav in Hip t-itpmp! -fi rf n nrnwH of pn ; or fifteen thousand visitors, augmented . by the city's population. Business was f suspended in honor cf the occasion, j A feature ws s he parade, which was probably the Ionics- ever seen in this ' city. In the line of march were nu- 1 merous military and civic organiza- j tions Besides three companies tvom ! ere also three bands of music. On reaching the statue, which is lo cated in the state house grounds, the procession disbanded, forming in a cir cle around the large stand erected for Was a Prominent Washington Resi dent Had Extensive Interests in Many Parts of the Country ' 'Washington, Novmeber 20. General John H. BrByant, a prominent resident of this city, and New York, aad having: extensive Interests in many parts of the country, died here yesterday after an illness of three days. He Is survived by his wife Katherine C. Bryant, and a daughter jMiss Katherine BBryanL Funeral services will hs hell here cn Thursday. Among other things. General Bryant was Interested in ths purchase cf the Western Maryland railroad, in the Choctaw Coal and Railroad company, was proprietor of the Richmond En- quirer, owned factories in Richmond PPetersburg and Greensboro, N. C. He was president of the Seattle and In- ternational railway company, tht Se attle Coal and Coke company and cf the Gilman Coal company. He was a member of the staff of the governor, of Virginia. His factory in Richmond was in the building that was used as Libbey prisoa during the civil war. Hon. J. A. Brown, of Chadbourn, spent yesterday in the city en route to Norfolk to attend a meeting of the lum- bermen. He is one of the best posted . men in eastern Carolina In regard to the berry business and he says the acreage is going to be greatly reduced. RESIDENT IS FIRM jSUs by Order for Bisoiiarge ' of Troops. Iiiin I linn tiriil rinTfl li I Mpbi MUM h ill. IS If ILL 1IL.I1I1 iCLII I flU I U rhen May Consider What FurtherlMemonal Exercises Brought Forth Action to Take. i All Persons Claiming to Have New j Faci Concerning the lirmvnsville f Troubles are Ordered to Have Them j hi Shape for Consideration hy the President at Onco on HLs Return, j lni!u ::res at Wcrk to Get tile churze Order Re-eliulcd Secretary Tait JlefiiM to Discuss the Case. 1 V Xev.- York, November 20. A cable gram from President Roosevelt declin ing to rescind his order discharging" colored troops of the 25th regiment un less the facts as known to him are shown to be false, but expressing his willingness to hear new facts bearing on the case was made public today by Gilchrist Stewart, of the Constitutional Teague. Mr. Stewart cables to President Roosevelt at Ancon, Panama, as fol lows: "Republican county committee unan imously denounced discharge of color ed soldiers. Parsons, Olcott, Bennett, committed petitioning department. Newspapers emphatic. Developments and new facts warrant. Ask immedi ate suspension order.." The president's reply contained the following: Unless facts known to me shown to'be false the order will under no clr cumstar.ctxs be revoked, and I shall not for one moment consider suspending it on a simple allegation that there are new facts until these new facts are laid before me. Inform ajiy persons hav ing new facts, to have them in shape ito lay before me at once on my return, and I will then consider whether or not any further action by me is called for. (Signed) THEO ROOSEVELT" Washington, Xovember 20. Secre tary Taft refuted to make any state ment whatever tonight concerning the negro troops which have been orderel discharged at Fort Reno. "I cant discuss the ease until tomor row," Secretary Taft replied to all questions. lie refused to say wheth er ne had oeen m communication witn the president by wireless. Immediately after his arrival in Washington this afternoon from New- Haven, Secretary Taft went to the war department and summoned General Oliver, the assistant secretary f war; Major G-er.eral Air.sworth; the military-1 secretary Brigadier Thomas II. Barry, th hiof of staff, for a conference. William Ioeb, Jr., the secretary to the president was also summoned to the v;;ir department before the end of the conference which lasted more than an hour. All were silent about the conclusions reached and it is assumed that the Sec retary of war has decided to let the caso of the colored troops stand just where it is until afttr he gets in touch with President Roosevelt, who is ex pected to arrive at Ponce, Porto Rico tomorrow morning. 'iho war department had no advices confirming reports from Fort Reno that 25 of the members of the 25th in fantry have already been discharged, j So far as the department knows only I -seven members of the battalion respon- i sible for the riot at Brownsville have j who were arrested at San Antonio and j Perhaps sei oul;' it: the abdomen Ili were dismissed from the service after ! the train div).if : i rj of.UAi oC th S the courts failed to substantiate ; mcard Air Line here, while asleep by charges. Men were particinants in the ! o . r t. . riot at Fort Brown. - , ' PEOPLES BOUND OYER. Charjre Against Him, Assault xvith a Deadly Weapon Preliminary Hear ing Before Mayor Waddell Other Cases ir. the Police Court. Engineer Jim Peoples, who shot n nejrro by the name of John McDowell on the steamer Tar Heel aboui tea days ago, was given a preliminary hearing before Mayor Waddell yester- day morning upon the charge of assauk with a deadly weapon. On the niht McDowell was shot it was thought he was going to die and Engineer Peoples was held at the city hall awaitins re sults. Tile wounds proved not to be dangerous and the negro will soou be well. McDowell had previously made a statement that he was drunk The night the affair occurred and didn't know what happened. Mr. James C. Lucas testified that the negro went at Engineer Peoples and he shot to defend himself. Mr. Herbert McClammy defended Mr. Peoples and no one prosecuted. Owlm? to the nature of the case, Mayor Wad dell thought it the proper thing to do to bind the defendant over to the higher court so as the matter can be investi gated further. Peoples was released under a $50 bond. There were quite a number of other offenders and among the number were several vagrants and all of them ot terms of thirty days. Gussle Davis, Nancy Davis and Mabel Mills, all va grants, got 30 days each at the county farm, and 3Iartha Wiggins and Idan, " " "urm ot Fields, each got 30 days for disorderly Annie E. Iggett. et aL of CmWn conduct. Augustus Hall and. Duncan Henderson each got 30 days on the roads for disorderly conduct, and Ihire can Henderson was also bound over to the higher ocurt for carrying a con cealed weapon. His bond was placed at $100 but even if he wanted to he could not give it for the next SO days for be will be on the roads, 4 JOYNEH DECLINES Will Hoi lis President of the State Normal. AS SUCCESSOR TO M'lVER Fine Tributes. Many Former Salcois of Ihe Iamem- ed Molvcr and Prominent Educator lYom all Part of the Country Join ed in the Memorial Meeting Mag iiiluoit Address by Dr. K. A. Alder man l-:4vrcies Were exceedingly iieautiful nnd Impressive. (SpcJal to The Messennvr.) Creer.sboro. November 20. The me- honor of Or, Mclver, late president of the Stole Normal and Industrial col lege, were plainly significant of the hiph place he has won In the esteem of the best -element of progressive life in this and other states. It was dis tinctively a tribute from those he had educated, in the persons of many for mer students from all parts of the state, of those he had Inspired by the pres ence of leading educators and co-work-vrs from this and other states, and a literal outpouring of citizens of the city who kne-v and appreciate! at close range the splendid personal ctvle and material value of the man. One of the highest tributes to his worth and forcefuT life was the one paid infertmially by the emphatic ab-s.-nce of politicians, no state govern ment offklal. judge on the bench, con gressmen or United States senator be ing presem. But there was ausmbleil at least tive hundred out-of-town visi tors, i iprenting the leading educa tors among the men and women of the state to pay tribute to thrt memory and the worth of the departed. . The addn sse.s were of a h'gii order and of appreciative merit, Dr. E. A. Alderman, president of the University of Virginia, a coworker through life ; Uvering the principal one, which was magnificent In every respect. Other short addresses were made by President George T. Winston. President Venable, State superintendent Joyner,. Miss-Mary K. Applewhite. repres'-ntin former --tnd-nt.-. Ir. J. V.. Brooks, represent-: ing the Guilford alumni association. The Krpe auditorium of the students building was packed with people, and the exercise throughout were exceed ingly impressive and beautiful. At a meeting of the boanl of direc tors held in the afternoon to select a successor to Dr. Mclver, as president of the college. State Superintendent J. Y. Joyntr. who had been generally conceded as the next i resident camo before th 1 onrd and stated' that he could not accept the position. here upon tho i ard continued the adminis tration of the college in the hands of the present superintendent. Desin J. I. Fousi, until the closo of the school year June 1st, 1907, and will" provide as soon as possible an assistant" to Presi dent FouFt. Tho refusal of Joyner is taken by many to mean an acute stage of political conditions at prsent and In future over the question of educa tional policies in the state. x Acriii-:.vr.i, SHOOTING. J. K. Don.-psy Shot hy Msrht OjHTOtor P.irisl) on an Illicit Still Bankers Decide on Group Plan. (Special to The Messenger.) Raleigh, X. C. Nov. 20. J. E. Derop- sey, white, of Portsmouth was fchot. j '. uiui x .41 lu who ayB it was accidental. Denui2.v doe not blame Parish, the lacrer pays he vas j examining hi3 pistol. HV a: once call ed a physician. He 13 ii i?e station house. Denipsey had been a llagman V TtJ . 1 1 !u lite imewaier railway f Raleich. X. fT Nov on u I collectors captured a "moousl-Jn-' als- I tilIery ia Rlchrand county. report was current that mconstj.'neri intended attacking the officers and rtiiculn the property, but they did no?, materialize. The Tnlustrlal club meets tomorrow to consider consolidation with the ch of commerce. The corporation cosamUsIca 'reduces freight rates on apples, cabbtgeo and various vegetables from point on tte Southern railway In thii stars. This will give a rate of 25 percent lower than now. The order Is effective De cember first. Thirty-seven applicants, on a wo man, for license as pharmacists are be fore the state board here. Two are colored. The executive committee of the North Carolina Bankers association decided upon what is known as the Group plan, dividing the state Into sev en districts. This plan wllf secure a larger attendance at meetlocs and Is more conveient and cheaper. Transfers of Ral EUte. The following deeds were placed oa record yesterday: H. F. Wilder an3 wlfo to Susie Townsend, for the sum of $10 and other considerations, & lot 50 by 15fr feet, same being In wwtern line of Eleventh couniy. 10 jonn 11. JBrunje. ,for the rum of $2,700 a lot 32 by 66 feet, tame being in the southern line of Craco street, 198 feet north of Second.1 Kate B. Cor?ett, of Savannah, and John II. Sweeny et al, of Wilmington, for the sum of $1,200, lot where the W. and W. road intersect the right of way of the Wilmington ad New Bern, road. t