The Ouachita Telegraph/Death of Colonel C.H. Morrison

Colonel Charles H. Morrison died of pneumonia at Delhi, on the afternoon of Wednesday, the 18th. He left this city Monday in good health, to attend a term of the Parish Court in Franklin, and was taken suddenly ill and died as stated.

The intelligence of Col. Morrison’s death was received here with universal expressions of regret. In many respects, Col. Morrison was no ordinary man. Beginning life under great disadvantages – a poor lad without influential connexion (sic) and without education – he had worked his way up from a position where promotion would to ordinary youths seem impossible, to a prominence that even the favored few of fortune might envy. He had, perhaps, the aid and encouragement of men such as Downs, under whom he studied law, and of Copley, before whom he practiced, but this was the simple tribute due to Col. Morrison’s native talent, his industry, energy and unflagging pursuit of a purpose.

Col. Morrison’s first public services were as deputy sheriff, many years ago, under Mr. Brigham, then sheriff of this parish. Subsequently he was elected Recorder. He then studied law under S.W. Downs, and was admitted to the bar. As an attorney, his patient, untiring study of his cases and steady, inflexible devotion to his clients rapidly brought him to the front rank. He was a practicing lawyer with but few equals, and his resources in practice were almost illimitable.

While maintaining is position at the bar, he, nevertheless, found time to engage largely in planting and other cognate interests, and to engage actively in all the political struggles of the State since 1856. He was made Register of the Land Office under Pierce, a position for which he was eminently fitted and t duties of which he discharged with ability. In 1859, he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature, and by that body was chosen Speaker. In this trying position, Col. Morrison was apt, just and efficient. His rulings and management of the House were universally applauded. His term as Speaker having expired, Col. Morrison returned to his practice, but the war coming on, he helped to organize the 31st regiment of this State and was chosen Colonel. The regiment operated mainly in this department, and had but little opportunity to achieve distinction, except at Vicksburg, where, we believe, it was at the time of the surrender of that place. Col. Morrison’s war record was not, therefore, brilliant in battle, but his devotion and zeal were none the less conspicuous.

Since the war, Col. Morrison’s attention has been devoted mainly to repairing the wreck of a large fortune accumulated by his industry before the war and to the interests of a large number of clients hose interests were as much injured as his own. In this undertaking he has exhibited a patience and fortitude, under the most adverse influences, which have been universally commended. His capacity as a worker seemed never to fail or relax, and if he did not succeed it was perhaps, due to the fact that he attempted to much.

Col. Morrison was a native of this State, and a citizen of this parish for 38 years. He was 56 years of age at his death. Mrs. Fannie Farmer Morrison, his wife, died but a few months ago. A little boy not two years old survives as their sole issue.

Colonel Morrison’s death will be heard of by many with the deepest regret. He was a man of feeling, kind of heart and generous almost to a fault. Nature gave him a rich dowery, and circumstances only gave him an enemy. Peace to his ashes!