Courtney - John R.
Source: Weekly Argus News, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana July 21, 1894
Probably no member of the Crawfordsville bar was more widely known than was John R. Courtney whose death it becomes our painful duty to chronicle at this time. For years Mr. Courtney, by reason of his unique ways, his originality and natural brightness, was constantly before the eyes of the public and his name was on every tongue. Everybody knew him and while regreatting his weakness admired his talents and was his friend. He had a big heart and was kind and indulgent to a fault. To his family he was especially devoted and loveable, no kinder father or husband could be found.
He graduated from Wabash COllege and studied law under Sam Wilson. He was naturally shrewd and could he have been more serious and steady in his pursuit of life and his chosen profession would have achieved fame and fortune. But genius is too often erratic. As a criminal lawyer he excelled and all will remember his brilliant defense of Buck Stout and John Henning, the two murderers who finally paid the penalty of their awful crimes on the scafford.
John Courtney was a man of versatile parts. He was an actor and many a home-talent entertainment was made successful by his active participation in it. He was a lover of all kinds of sports such as baseball, foot ball, etc.
He became impressed, it seems about a year ago with the realities of life and connected himself with the Methodist Church of this city, dying in that faith. Last fall his health began to fail and finally his mind was affected. It was thought that a rest of a few months at some asylum would retore him and he went to Indianapolis but his health failed to improve and his mind became more unsettled until yesterday at 3:30 o'clock when he passed into the unseen world. He had his faults but he had his good qualities. WHile deploring the former let us recall his pleasure the latter. A bright light has goneo ut.
John R. Courtney was born in Franklin, Tenn, where his mother now lives. He was only 41 years of age and died when a man should be in his very prime of life. 20 years ago he married Miss Lizzie Graham, as noble, dutiful and loving a wife as man ever had. To them were born four children and in the death of the young husband and father the heartbroken mother and children have the deep sympathy of all. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Green at the home at 4 o'clock this afternoon. Interment at Oak Hill. - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Star, Jan 12, 1894
John R. Courtney is satisfied with his surroundings at the insance asylum, inquires about his family and friends and expresses the hop that he will be home in a few weeks. The physicians say that they have not had his case in charge sufficiently long to express any opinion as to how long he will be in their charge. - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Review 21 July 1894 p1
Death came to poor John R. Courtney at Indianapolis Tuesday afternoon at 4 o’clock. His brother-in-law, Dr. Frank West was at his bedside when he expired. His mind has been almost completely gone for some time and other disabilities rendered him as helpless as a child. The remains were brought to this city on the midnight train. Dr. Greene conducted the funeral service at the home on Wednesday afternoon at 4 o’clock. The members of the local bar attended the service in a body and the following of their number acted as pall bearers: SC Kennedy, Read Hanna, Will Maxedon, Frank Hurley, Wallace Sparks and Frank Abraham. A most brave and devoted wife and four lovely children are left to mourn. The internment was in Oak Hill. -kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Wednesday, 18 July 1894
John R. Courtney died yesterday afternoon in the hospital at Indianapolis where he had been for several months confined by that terrible disease, paresis. He was taken there several months ago for treatment, but continued to grow worse until death finally relieved his sufferings.
His funeral occurred this afternoon from the family residence on West Wabash Avenue. The services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Greene and the interment occurred at Oak Hill Cemetery.
The pallbearers were the following members of the Montgomery County Bar: Frank Hurley, Frank Abraham, Claude Thompson, S. C. Kennedy, Wallace Sparks, and Will Maxedon.
John R. Courtney was born in Franklin, Tenn., about forty one years ago and his father fell in War of the Rebellion, being a Union soldier. After the war Mr. Courtney, his mother and his sisters, Mrs. Cochenour and Mrs. Gen Carrington, came to Crawfordsville and he entered Wabash College, graduating in the class of 1873. The year after his graduation he was married to Miss Lizzie Graham, who, with four children, survives him.
Mr. Courtney being admitted to the bar of the county came into a good practice and acquired quite a reputation over the state for his brilliancy and ability. He figured in a number of important cases and was always intensely loyal to his clients, many of whom he defended without remuneration. He was kind hearted and charitable and often labored when there was no hope of reward. During the last three years he had been in declining health and had done but little practice at the bar.
This morning at 9 o’clock the county bar held a meeting to take action on his death, Judge Harney presiding and Jere West acting as secretary. It was voted that the bar defray the expenses of the funeral. Messrs. Paul, Hurley, and Brush were appointed to look after this. Judge Thomas, Judge Britton and G. W. Paul were appointed a committee on resolutions to report on the first day of the September term. The pall bearers for the funeral were also appointed. - thanks to "S"
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday, 17 July 1894
A telephonic message to Dr. B. F. west from the Hospital for the Insane this afternoon states that John R. Courtney is still in convulsions and that he cannot long survive.
LATER: At 4 p.m. news was received of Mr. Courtney’s death. There will be a meeting of the Montgomery County Bar and friends of the deceased at the court room tomorrow at 9 a.m.