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The Supreme Court of Indiana.

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because of political charges brought against 10, 181 7. One year later his father moved to the court. He died at La Fayette June 17, Indiana, settling in Dearborn County, where young Downey received a common-school 1877. Pettit was a man of pronounced char acter. His opinions are characterized by education. He became a flatboatman on the forcible language used in them. "A sol the Ohio River, but was admitted to prac dier," said he in one opinion, "was at home tice in 1841 . In 1844 Ohio County was on a furlough, and was about to return to formed; and Downey moved to Rising Sun, the ranks of his country's armies, where the newly selected county-seat. In 1850 he death was as likely as life; he had one hun

was appointed Circuit Judge by Governor dred and seventy-five Wright, and served dollars, and an adult r.in that capacity until 1858, when he re brother, and an infant sister, and with a signed because of the brother's love for her inadequacy of the sal growing in his breast, ary, and the great ex he went to his trusty pense of travelling over so extensive a friend and said, ' Here territory as his circuit is all I have. I am embraced. In 1854 he called to the post of commenced and con honor, but of danger. tinued for many years If I return, give it in the conducting of a again to me; but if I law school at Asbury die, give it to my in University, Greencasfant sister or her guardian.' The writ tle, Ind. After his res ing was made accord ignation he practised ingly. The soldier law until his elevation died, and the money to the Supreme Court was paid to his infant bench in 1871. He was a Democrat; but sister according to the contract, and we can in 1862 he was elected State Senator on the not and will notdisturb Union ticket, and its possession. We JOHN G. BERKSHIRE. voted for the resolu hold that the written memorandum was an tion ratifying the Thir obligation to pay the money to the soldier if he teenth Amendment. In 1867 he was ap lived to demand it; but if not, to pay it to his pointed by Governor Baker one of the three sister. The soldier died, and the money has commissioners of the House of Refuge for been paid to his infant sister, and no ruth juvenile offenders. During his six ye*ars' less hand should be allowed to disturb that term on the Supreme Court bench two thou sacred memorial of a brother's love." 1 His sand eight hundred and thirty-seven cases opinions are not noted for their learning or were reported, he writing the opinion of the even accuracy of expression, but for the court in one thousand and sixty-three cases. good common-sense often displayed in them. For the same reason that Judge Pettit failed to receive a renomination Judge Downey also Alexander C. Downey. failed; but in 1882 he was again a candi The birthplace of Judge Downey was date before his party's convention, and very Hamilton County, Ohio, and the time Sept. nearly received the nomination over Judge 1 Baker v. Williams, 34 Ind. 547.