Wallace - David - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The members of the Indianapolis Bar and the officers of the Court met at the courthouse at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon on the announcement of the death of Governor Wallace, the Judge of the Common Pleas Court.  The judges stand was draped with crape and a feeling of sadness and sorrow was exhibited by the members of the legal profession within the bar of the Court and by the spectators without who had assembled to witness the proceedings.  On motion of Simon Yandes, Esq Judge McDonald was called to the chair.  Judge McDonald, on taking the chair said that he hardly deemed it necessary to state the object of the meeting. They had all heard with sorrow of the sudden and unexpected death of Judge Wallace – an able and eloquent lawyer, an honest and upright Judge – a noble hearted and good man.  He had been stricken down suddenly in the midst of hope and health and usefulness.  David Wallace was dead – his seat was vacant, the place that knew him well knew him no more.  John Coburn, Esq was appointed Secretary and Frederick Knefler, Esq Assistant.  On motion of Hugh O’Neal, Esq a committee of five was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the feelings of the members of the Bar on this solemn occasion.  The Chair appointed Hugh O’Neal; Simon Yandes; Robt. L. Walpole; John Coburn and JW Gordon, Esqs.  The Committee retired and Oliver B. Torbet in a brief and eloquent speech paid a glowing tribute to the memory of the departed.  Mr. Torbet said it was appropriate for the younger members of the bar to speak of Judge Wallace for he was ever their friend.  There was nothing repulsive in his nature. He drew the young around him – aided them by his advice and encouraged them by his example.  Mr. Coburn from the Committee read the following preamble and resolutions.  

Whereas, Providence has suddenly removed from our midst and esteem friend and eminent associate at the Bar, the Hon. David Wallace, we take this occasion to express our sorrow at his death, our warm appreciation of his many virtues and our please recollection of the manliness of his character, the purity of his motives and the prompt and faithful discharge of his numerous public duties.  Feeling that our profession has lost one of its ablest members community one among its best citizens and State one of her most prominent sons.

Therefore be resolved, That we will, while we mourn at his loss, imitate the noble and gentle character of our departed friend; that we will cherish the memory of his urbanity his kindness, his zeal, his honesty and his eloquence, adding grace and power to his career at the bar, and lending luster and dignity to his bearing on the bench.

Resolved that his loss to the profession and to community is a deep and grievous one.  He was a just judge, firm, upright, clear, patient, laborious, impartial, conscientious; and we will ever bear willing testimony to his eminent qualifications.

Resolved, that we share with his family the grief of this solemn occasion and offer them our heartfelt sympathies in this, the hour of their bereavement.

Resolved, that we wear the usual badge of mourning 30 days and attend his funeral in a body.

Mr. Coburn said, in present the resolutions he could not refarm from paying a brief tribute to the deceased.  He was intimately associated with his – his partner in business and friend in private life. Gov. Wallace’s character was a peculiar one.  His qualities were such as to endear him to his friends both young and old and make him the idol of a social circle.  His kindly nature and his generous and noble heart were known to all who knew the man.  He was no less distinguished, however, as a legislator, a lawyer and a jurist.  He had filled many important positions, with honor to himself and the country from all of which he had retired unstained.  He was eminently an honest man.  Mr. Coburn dwelt at considerable length on the public and private virtues of the deceased, speaking from the heart and touching the heart of his hearers.  Mr. O’Neil knew Governor Wallace long and loved him well. The eloquent tribute of his young friend was true to the letter.  Governor Wallace was one of whom it could be truly said that he was as good as he was great.  If a pure minded honest man ever lived, it was Governor Wallace.  Hon. AG Porter could add nothing to what had already been said but he could gratify his feelings by adding his tribute.  Gov. Wallace retained his good temper to the last.  He had obtained elevated position when a very young man and he fell not from any fault of his own but from circumstances – the unpopularity of the internal improvement system; and yet his good temper never soured. When oppressed, borne down as he once was, by poverty, he never faltered – never suffered his good nature to forsake him – never cherished malice but continued the same genial, kindly gentleman when struggling manfully with misfortune that he was in prosperity.

Perhaps it was not generally known, but at one period of his life Judge Wallace was burdened with debt and his noble struggle during that time was perhaps the brightest page of his history, bringing out those traits of sterling integrity that ennobled the man.  Mr. Porter also spoke of the public career of Gov. Wallace in terms of high praise.  

Simon Yandes, Esq spoke feelings of the deceased, dwelling at length on his career at the bar when a young man.  He (Judge Wallace) with Oliver H. Smith and their companions of that day gave a direction to its business, the impress of which is visible at the present time.  As a Judge he was upright, strictly and sternly honest.

John New, Esq set as a member of the bar but as a student of the deceased at one time and since as an officer of the Court in which he presided could not refrain from adding his mite to the words of tribute.  As a student, he loved him - he had given him a helping hand to bring him forward in the world and as a Judge he honored and respected him.  In the Probate business of the Court, the Judge and the Clerk were thrown intimately together and where the business of widows and orphans were concerned he was particular and exsel ? He was first noblest work of God – an honest man.  Hon JW Gordon, Benjamin Harrison, Mr. Collin, Judge Goron and NB Taylor all added equally ? and well to the resolutions.  The speakers all seemed to find and speak as if they had lost a friend ??? than that ?? and the (sorry very black) tribute paid to the deceased was evidently from the heart.  The resolutions were unanimously adopted.  On a motion by Judge Gordon, the Secretary, Mr. Coburn was directed to present a copy of the resolutions to the family of the deceased to have them spread upon the records of the Circuit and Common Please Courts and was requested to deliver a suitable address on the occasion and also to furnish the papers of the city a copy for publication.  

MASONIC – Resolutions of Center Lodge No 18 on the death of Ex-Governor Wallace.

A meeting of Center Lodge No 18 was called on Monday evening Aug 5 to make arrangements for attending the funeral of ex-Governor Wallace and to adopt resolutions appropriate to the occasion.

SJ Covington; JD Defrees and JG Doughty were appointed a committee on resolutions who reported the following which were unanimously adopted:  Again are we reminded of the universal dominion of Death. The arm of Friendship can not oppose the King of Terrors nor the charms of innocence allude his grasp.  It matters not what elevation of character may have been attained nor how upright the course of life may have been pursued; nor yet how many or how great of earthly honors may have been bestowed all that is mortal must shortly submit as victims of its destroying power and endure the humbling level of the tomb.  We bow in humble submission to the will of our Divine Master “Whose ways are past finding out” but who we know “doeth all things well.”  The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed to be the name of the Lord.  It has been the will and pleasure of the Grand Master of the Universe to call our brother, David Wallace, late a member of this Order from terrestrial labor to partake we trust of the divine refreshments on high.  Let us meditate on the excellence of his character; and may the recollection of his honor and virtues be cherished in our hearts and have a salutary influence on our lives. Our departed Brother Wallace, whose memory we revere and whose loss we now deplore, possess, with a high sense of honor and a kind heart, all the dignity and unassuming suavity of the true gentleman. He was alike esteemed and respected io the public and in the private walks of life. If we look upon him in the Councils of our State at that early period of her history when the line of policy then to be adopted, was to determine the weal or woe of the future millions destined to dwell within her borders; or in the Executive Chair, directing the affairs of a rapidly Increasing commonwealth; or in the councils of the nation, deliberating upon subjects of vital importance to a great nation; or upon the bench, promoting a respect for law and inspiring a confidence in the impartiality of justice, we find a sagacity of rare penetration, a firmness of unusual stability of purpose, a statesmanship of enlarged and liberal views, and an Integrity that never was questioned. And when we look upon him in the nearer and dearer relations of soda) life, as husband, father and friend—as a brother in the lodge room—it la there we behold abiding more brightly the many kindly deeds which only true affection prompts— the benevolent spirit, the offerings upon the altar of charity whereby the needy were supported, the distressed comforted, the widow’s woes assuaged, and the lone orphan's tears dried up—the results of the holy precepts of religion and the teachings of our institution. Our brother, David Wallace  is no longer with us In the body. His memory and his virtues remain, and may we ever cherish the one and emulate the other. With scarce the allotted time of man run out, yet full of honors, he has descended to the tomb—the dust to the earth as It was, and the spirit to God who gave it. In view of the dispensation of Divine Providence which we are now called upon to consider, it Is by this Lodge R

Resolved, That in the death of David Wallace his family has lost an affectionate husband and father, society one of its brightest ornaments, the State one of her best and most honored citizens, and this Order one of its moat worthy and esteemed members. Resolved, That this Lodge deeply and sincerely sympathise with the family and friends of the deceased in this sad bereavement. Resolved, That as a token of our esteem for the many virtues of our departed brother, and in honor of his memory, this Lodge be draped in mourning for the space of thirty days. Resolved, That this Lodge will, In a body, attend the funeral of our departed brother from his late residence In this city, tomorrow, at two o’clock, P. M., and deposit hls earthly remains In their final resting place, according to the rites and with the honors of Ancient Free Masonry. Resolved, That these proceedings be spread upon the records of this Lodge, and that a copy of the same, duly certified by the officers of the Lodge, be transmitted to the family of our departed brother, and also be furnished the city papers for publication. Thomas A. Morris was appointed Chief Marshal, and Dr. Noffsinger and Moses Woolf Assistants. The following brethren were appointed PALL BEARERS:. E. Browning, Charles Fisher, L. Dunlap, William Sullivan, A. Franco, John D. Defrees, James Drum, Ephraim Colestock. All members of the order In the city were requested to meet at the Lodge Hall punctually, at one o’clock, as the funeral sermon will be preached at two o’clock, P. M.

Death of Hon. David Wallace – At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Marion County, Indiana on Monday Sept 5, 1859 the following resolutions offered by Commissioner Hardesty and unanimously adopted were ordered to be spread upon the record of proceedings of said Board.

Resolved, that this Board has heard with deep regret the intelligence of the sudden decease of the Hon. David Wallace, Judge of the Marion Court of Common Please who has for nearly three years filled said office with honor and credit.

Resolved that Sheriff Wallace be directed to cause the Judicial Bench of the Courtroom to be place in mourning for 30 days.

Resolved that the members of this Board will attend the funeral of the deceased and for that purpose this Board will now adjourn until Tuesday at 2 o’clock PM – LA Hardesty; Thomas Johnson; Samuel Moore – Attest: Austin H. Brown, Clerk Board Comm