Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 37

Author: Bruce, Dwight H. (Dwight Hall), 1834-1908
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > New York > Onondaga County > Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II > Part 37

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May 9, 1850, Mr. Burns was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua and Jane (Philips) Bates, both natives of Chesterfield, Mass. They were the parents of two children: Hon. Willis B. Burns, ex-mayor of Syracuse, and Flora E., wife of Lyman C. Smith, of this city.

WILLIAM PREVOST GOODELLE.

HON. WILLIAM PREVOST GOODELLE was born in the town of Tully, Onondaga county, N. Y., on the 25th day of May, 1838. His father was Aaron B. Goodelle, and his mother was Eleanor A. Prevost. His father was a successful farmer, and the son passed his boyhood and youth on the homestead, where arduous labor alternated with attendance at the district school. Evincing an unusual aptitude for the acquire- ment of knowledge from books, he supplemented his school duties with one year in the Homer Academy, at the close of which he entered Cazenovia Seminary as one of the only two to take a five years' course, the period being from 1854 to 1860. In the spring of 1861 he entered Dartmouth College as a sophomore and graduated in the class of 1863 with highest honors.

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Returning from college with a mind well stored and ambition boundless, Mr. Goodelle was urged to accept the principalship of an academy at Moravia, N. Y., which he did and filled the position one year. He then, as he believed, began his continuous life work with the study of law in the office of L. H. & F. Hiscock, in Syracuse ; but his reputation as a teacher and as the head executive in the academy mentioned above had followed him, and after a few months of law study he was earnestly solicited to go out to Onondaga Valley and take charge of the historic academy, which was then in sore need of reorganization and improvement. Mr. Goodelle somewhat reluctantly accepted the charge and remained there two years, continuing his law study in the mean time as far as practicable. When he retired from the old academy at the close of the year 1866, he took with him the highest re- spect and confidence of the authorities, and left the school on a vastly higher level of efficiency than he found it.

Returning to his law studies he continued in the office where he began until Octo- ber, 1868, when he was admitted to the bar and immediately began practice, remain- ing with the Messrs. Hiscock one year thereafter. He then engaged in independent practice for three years, and in the fall of 1871 had attained a position at the bar and a degree of confidence among his fellow citizens which led to his nomination and election to the office of district attorney of Onondaga county. In that office of oner- ous labor and high responsibility Mr. Goodelle made a record which is still well re- membered. At the expiration of his term of three years, with reputation widely extended, with experience valuable and varied in character, thrice armed with con- fidence devoid of conceit in his own powers, he now returned enthusiastically to the profession in which he has attained such an exalted position, particularly as a criminal lawyer. Immediately after the expiration of his term as district attorney the New York Central Railroad Company, attracted by his record made in that office, retained him as its general criminal counsel and attorney (this field of labor extend- ing from Buffalo to Albany), which position he filled until his appointment on the State Board in 1894, as hereafter noted. Mr. Goodelle was, and is, peculiarly adapted by nature, and especially so by study and experience, to deal with the criminal class; this is clearly shown by his early notable career as district attorney- a fact that may be stated here without disparagement of any other incumbent of the office. At the present time it stands to Mr. Goodell's high credit that he has placed within prison walls about half a thousand criminals of various types. In that connec- tion Mr. Goodelle has come in contact with all shades of crinie and all sorts of crimi- nal characters, as well as with many of the ablest lawyers in the State acting in their defense. There is scarcely a county in the State of New York, and certainly none along the line of the Centrail railroad, where he is not well known as a lawyer and where his eloquent voice has not been heard in behalf of peace and safety from crime. So effective have his efforts in this direction been that it is now a well known and acknowledged fact that crimes against the railroad company within Mr. Goodelle's jurisdiction have almost disappeared.

While in the district attorney's office it was Mr. Goodelle's good fortune, if it can be called such, to conduct the prosecution of many famous cases, among which were several of a capital character; his term was conspicuous in this respect beyond that of any other in the history of the county. The most prominent of those cases was that of Owen Lindsay, who was charged with the murder of Francis Colvin, and

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whose trial began in Syracuse on the 25th of January, 1874. The proceedings in this remarkable trial are published in book form and the details cannot, of course, be given here; but it may be stated that it involved the most persistent work, untiring research, patient investigation, and general legal ability of the highest order to bring it to a successful issue. The perplexing question of distinguishing human from an- imal blood stains was prominent in the case and under peculiarly harassing condi- tions; it was, moreover, introduced into the criminal jurisprudence of this State for the first time by Mr. Goodelle. It is an evidence of his thoroughness in his profes- sional work and the importance of this element in the case, that he spent two weeks in Philadelphia with eminent experts in making himself familiar with the subject. In the defense of Lindsay the prosecuting attorney was opposed by such eminent counsel as Charles B. Sedgwick, Frank Hiscock, and others. Lindsay was hung. Mr. Goodelle received the most enthusiastic congratulations from his brethren of the bar and from the public press for his masterly work in this case. In alluding to the close of the trial a local paper said :

Mr. Goodelle's address to the jury was a most fitting close of his untiring labors as a public officer of Onondaga county. During the delivery, not only the jury, but the entire audience gave that attention which demonstrated the power of the learned counsel's eloquence and the strength of his argument. Mr. Goodelle often rose to the height of impassioned eloquence. He forgot his associates; he forgot the audience hanging upon his words; he forgot all but his case and the jury. His presentation of the people's evidence was perfect. . . Taken altogether, the effort of Mr. Goodelle, in its plain statement of the work the people had to perform, in its minute tracing of the testimony, in its final welding of the circumstantial and direct evidence into an unbroken chain and fastening the same about the prisoner, formed one of the most masterly forensic efforts ever made at the bar of this county.

Another paper said, in alluding to the importance of the question of detecting blood stains in the case: "This blood test was the great battlefield of the trial, and when Messrs. Goodelle and Sedgwick crossed swords on this point, there was a dis- play of forensic eloquence and ability rarely seen."

Another important case which may properly be alluded to was that of Mary J. Holmes, charged with poisoning her husband, in which Mr. Goodelle defended the prisoner. This trial continued six weeks and attracted wide-spread attention both from the public and from the attorneys of Onondaga and surrounding counties. Pre- vious to the trial the general belief in the public mind was that the woman was guilty. This was largely changed by the proceedings of the trial. Mr. Goodelle secured the acquittal of the prisoner. A local newspaper on the last day of the trial printed the following, which indicates the public interest in the case and at the same time pays Mr. Goodelle a deserved compliment:

The last tick of the parting day was almost simultaneous with the final words of an argument for the prisoner which had consumed seven mortal hours. The Counselor's face bore the plain evidences of the mental and physical strain to which he had put himself. . . A masterly effort had been expected from Mr. Goodelle, whose acumen and learning are a source of pride to the bar of this county. Never in the criminal history of Onondaga county was a more comprehen- sive defence made of a human life. Mr. Goodelle's impassioned style of oratory put into grace- ful language his logical deductions from an investigation of the case as viewed from the side of the defence. Every point was covered one by one, but at no time was there a break in the continuity of the argument. It was probably the longest argument ever offered in a court of justice in Syracuse.

The celebrated Greenfield murder case, also, was another with almost a national reputation, particularly for the persistency with which the defence clung to every

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straw and adopted every device which would postpone the end or possibly acquit or modify the punishment of the prisoner. This case was before the courts six years and was tried three times. Mr. Goodelle was engaged in Greenfield's defence, with Judge S. C. Huntington, of Oswego county, and in a critical time in the case the latter broke down, leaving the whole burden of the latter and most important part of the trial upon Mr. Goodelle. His address occupied nearly four hours; it need not be added that he acquitted himself with great credit and distinction.

It is unnecessary in this place to follow further the details of the numerous im- portant cases success in which has given Mr. Goodelle his high standing both as a civil and criminal lawyer. He has had the conduct of some twenty capital cases and in them all has exhibited the same high qualities as a lawyer that marked his efforts in those described. In the examination of witnesses, and especially in his pleadings before court and jury, his peers in Central New York are few. His reputation has necessarily and without effort on his part, extended over a wide extent of territory. For years past he has been called in as counsel by the ablest attorneys in many of the counties of this State, in cases of great importance, both civil and criminal. So common are such occurrences that in some years more than half of Mr. Goodelle's practice is outside of his own county

Mr. Goodelle is a Republican in politics though not an ardent partisan, and had he chosen to enter the political field in view of the alluring prospects often held up before him by party dictators, he might have filled several of the higher State offices; but such a course meant for him the division of his energies, the partial abandon- ment of his high professional aspirations, which he has always believed can bring to any man sufficient fame, as well as adequate material return. Ever ready with eloquent and forceful speech to aid the political party with which he affiliates, or to advance the interests of any worthy candidate, he has been called to give liberally of his powers in this direction on the public platform. Being so frequently called upon to address the public during the past twenty years, upon a variety of subjects as broad as the ordinary experience of mankind, Mr. Goodelle has perforce made himself familiar with them all. It is a conspicuous element of his popularity, a qual- ification that has called out both admiration and surprise on more than one occasion, that he has been able at short notice to discuss with intelligence, power, and mas- terly eloquence subjects generally little understood by the lawyer who is apparently absorbed in his profession. But Mr. Goodelle is a student as well as a lawyer; and his retentive memory, quick grasp and accurate comprehension of any subject en- able him to become its successful exponent.

These various qualifications have brought Mr. Goodelle high honors outside of the professional and the political fields. It is not too much to say, perhaps, that no higher State honor can fall to any man than his selection as a member of a conven- tion to revise the constitution. Upon the acts of such a convention rests the effi- ciency of the organic law; the records of their work become widespread and are ac- cepted or rejected as parts of the constitutions of other States. Many of the best men, men with the highest character and the strongest mental powers have been called to serve in the several constitutional conventions in this State. The last New York State Convention was held in 1894 and Mr. Goodelle was elected one of the five delegates-at-large from Western New York, was appointed by President Choate chairman of the Committee on Suffrage, numbering among its members men of na-

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tional repute, such as John Bigelow, Gideon J. Tucker, Thos. G. Alvord, De Lancey Nicoll, Edward Lauterbach and others. Mr. Goodelle's position as chairman of this committee, was, next to the speakership, perhaps, the most conspicuous in the convention, and his appointment assumed the possession of the highest quali- fications for the consideration of a subject of such vast importance. He was also second on the Committee on Powers and Duties of the Legislature, and was promi- nent in most of the important proposed amendments. The proceedings of that as- semblage of eminent men are still fresh in the public mind. No measure of greater importance, of more sweeping consequences, of more uncertain possibilities, was ever brought before a convention in any State, than the proposed amendment to the constitution giving woman equal suffrage with man, and none was ever more widely discussed. It attracted attention throughout the whole United States and the out- come of the discussion was watched with the deepest interest. It can properly be said right here that Mr. Goodelle has never shown himself in any degree whatever deficient in chivalrous sentiment towards woman; the absolute contrary is true. But he has never believed that the right of suffrage could result in good of any kind; and least of all to woman herself. This fact was not. however, permitted to become publie until the committee had in large part concluded its deliberations. As chair- man of this most important committee he assumed responsibilities that can scarcely be appreciated except by those who closely watched the proceedings and read his final address on the subject. From the time of his appointment he was besieged with letters and appeals pro and con, while his desire to do entire justice to the sub- ject and to win approbation that did finally almost overwhelm him, prompted hin to the most strenuous efforts to master every detail of the question. If anything earthly could have influenced him to act against his convictions in the matter it would have been the appearance and arguments before the committee of a score of the women of America who have made their names as household words in the cru- sade for what has been inaptly called "woman's rights." Mr. Goodelle closed the debate on the evening of August 15 in what was perhaps the greatest and most suc- cessful effort of his life, both as an exhibition of eloquent and powerful oratory and as an argumentative and logical display. Mr. Francis, editor of the Troy Times, and himself an able advocate and a member of the convention, pronounces the address " the most classical and finished that had been made before that body." The Times of August 17 printed the following :

The argument of Mr. Goodelle is exhaustive. It covers the whole ground of objection. And it is so grounded in common sense and so grandly sustains the most chivalrous sentiment and conception of woman's true relation to society and the State, that it may be pronounced un- answerable. Sophistry may assail it and personal ambition decry it, but as a just and accurate presentation of woman's cause, a summary of her rights achieved through the steady advance of civilization, the high position that has been accorded her because of the recognized and steadily growing importance of her position in the State, it is complete.

This is high praise indeed, and it was echoed throughout the State and country, from press and individuals that were not blindly bound to opposite views. Imme- diately after the address reached him Bishop Doane sent a congratulatory telegram to Mr. Goodelle, which was followed by scores of others by mail and in person from eminent men and women.

So, also, of the work done by Mr. Goodelle in the other committee to which he was assigned; it was of the highest value and the committee felt the influence of the

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master mind in all of its deliberations. Of his labors as a whole the following is quoted from a prominent journal:

William P. Goodelle, delegate-at-large, took a prominent part in the convention, and he left an enviable record. Unlike most of the delegates, he did not press the amendments that he in- troduced personally, but rather, he confined himself early in the session to his arduous duties as chairman of the Committee on Suffrage. Here he handled with great tact the delicate subject of woman suffrage, and for his work he had the commendation of all the delegates, and of President Choate himself. So large a proportion of the amendments finally adopted came from his committee that Mr. Goodelle will see the fruits of his work in the organic law if the amend- ments are approved by the people. Later on, after his committee labors were over, Mr. Goodelle advocated all of the leading measures that were passed. His speeches were always to the point. carried great weight and were listened to with rapt attention. His judgment and advice were constantly sought, and he early became one of the leaders in the convention.

In December, 1894, there was appointed by the Court of Appeals a State Board of Law Examiners, whose office is the examination of all applicants for admission to the bar of the State, with full and absolute authority to accept or reject them. Previous to that time there had been an examining committee in each judicial district, and Mr. Goodelle had served several years on the committee in this district. These com- mittees ceased to exist with the creation of the new board. Mr. Goodelle was further honored with an appointment on this board, which began its term of service in January, 1895, and is now its president. The other members are Hon. Austen G. Fox, of New York, and Hon. F. M. Danahar, of Albany. In commenting upon this appointment a prominent newspaper said:

Mr. Goodelle has served for years on the committee of examination in this department, and has, therefore, besides his splendid legal equipment, a valuable experience for the work before him. To be selected as one of three from the whole bar of the State for this highly responsible and important duty is a rare tribute and compliment.

Mr. Goodelle was several years ago chosen president of the Onondaga County Bar Association, an honorable position which he still holds. He has been four years president of the Beaver River Club, an organization having pleasure seeking pro- clivities in the Adirondacks. He is one of the incorporators of the Commercial Bank of Syracuse. Now, in the prime of life and the full plenitude of his versatile powers, he merits and receives the esteem and respect of all who know him, and modestly accepts from them the title of an eminent lawyer and a thorough gentleman.

Mr. Goodelle was married September 8, 1869, to Miss Marion H. Averill, of Bald- winsville, N. Y., and they have one daughter, Una Mae, who was born October 28, 1877. The family occupy a prominent place in the highest social circles of Syracuse, and the doors of their beautiful and hospitable home on James street are always open to their many friends.

HAMILTON BURDICK.

HAMILTON BURDICK, the oldest practicing member of the bar of Syracuse, was born in West Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., February 11, 1816, and is a son of Adam Burdick, whose birth occurred at Hopkinton, R. I., December 31, 1759, and who at the age of sixteen entered the army of the Revolution, serving three years in the

Hamilton Burdick

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colonial ranks and being under the command of Benedict Arnold at the time of Arnold's treacherous desertion to the British. While in camp at West Point with General Washington, Adam Burdick was intimately associated with the aides-de- camp La Fayette and Alexander Hamilton, and after the latter the subject of this sketch was named. Lodema Lee, mother of Hamilton Burdick, was born near Albany. N. Y., February 27, 1770, and was a member of the family from which de- scended the distinguished confederate, Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Hamilton Burdick attended the district schools of his native town, and at the age of sixteen determined to secure a more liberal education, preparatory to the study and practice of the law, which even then he had decided to follow as a profession. The limited circumstances of his family threw him upon his own resources, and to obtain the means for prosecuting his studies he was compelled to exercise the most rigid economy. Thoroughly imbued with the spirit of progress, and inheriting those sterling traits of character which make the successful man, he put forth every effort and spent two years at Bridgewater Academy and one year at Hamilton Academy (now Colgate Institute), graduating from the latter institution at the age of nineteen. He then began the study of law in the office of Andrew Thompson, of Bridgewater, Oneida county, and later continued his legal studies with Hon. Philo Gridley, of Hamilton, and with John Bradish, of Utica. He was admitted to practice as an attorney and solicitor in January, 1840, and three years afterward was admitted as a counselor in all the courts of the State. In September, 1840, he commenced the practice of his profession in West Winfield, N. Y., and remained there until May 1, 1843, when he moved to Syracuse, and formed a partnership with Rowland H. Gard- ner, which continued unchanged for twenty-seven years, being at the time of its dis- solution in 1870 the oldest law firm in the city. Following this he practiced alone until 1875, when his son, Edward H. Burdick, who was admitted to the bar in that year, was taken into partnership, the new firm continuing till January 1, 1890, when it was dissolved. Mr. Burdick has since carried on his practice without a partner, although since June of 1893, his son has occupied offices with him, and has assumed the responsibility of all litigated business.

Mr. Burdick was early impressed with the dignity of the law as a profession, and chose it at a time when most young men are contemplating their future careers with undetermined minds. Imbued with a laudable desire to follow a pursuit consonant with his tastes, and which would afford opportunities for the employment of his best faculties, he has attained an eminence which years of tireless effort and indomitable energy can bestow. Thorough in research, sound in counsel, and loyal to the inter- ests of his clients, he has achieved his ambition and merits the distinction of an able, conscientious, and reliable adviser. Without aspirations as an orator he has followed the even course of a counselor, and by diligent study and the exercise of a natural power of discrimination, has applied those fundamental principles of law that would be impossible to a less logical mind. The highest respect and reliance have been accorded to his legal opinions, while his sound judgment as an advocate has received universal recognition. His conservatism and love of truth have enabled him to grasp, with comparative ease, complex legal propositions, and his integrity of pur- pose and faithful adherence to high moral principles, have commanded the respect and confidence of clients and fellow lawyers alike. He has sought and acquired a reputation for sound legal judgment rather than for brilliancy as an advocate, and

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now at the ripe age of eighty continues in practice with the same zealous interest in his profession that he has evinced during the fifty-five years of his eventful profes- sional life. He is the Nestor of the bar of Syracuse, and one of the oldest members of the Onondaga County Bar Association, and in the latter capacity read a few years ago an interesting paper entitled, "Reminiscences of the Bar," which vividly reviewed the changes in practice, recounted anecdotes of the older attorneys, clearly illustrated his quiet humor and aptness for narrating local events of great historical interest, and called to mind many cases in his own experience.

Mr. Burdick has been a lifelong Democrat, and for many years took a prominent part in the affairs of his party. In the face of an insurmountable Republican major- ity he has frequently been a candidate for various city and county offices, and was twice elected supervisor of the Seventh ward. He has always taken a keen interest in municipal matters, evincing the strongest desire that the city should develop along the lines of general improvement and progress. His belief in Christianity is sound and broad in comprehension, while his ideas on all subjects of personal interest are liberal and clear. He and his family are worshipers in the Episcopal faith, to the support of which he has long been a generous contributor. He served for many years as vestryman of St. James church, Syracuse, notably under the teachings and influence of the late Dr. Gregory and the Rev. J. M. Clarke. Quiet and somewhat reserved in demeanor he possesses a genial kindliness of nature and a keen sense of humor, which have made his intercourse with his fellow men most enjoyable with- out detracting from his dignity.

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Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 37

Author: Bruce, Dwight H. (Dwight Hall), 1834-1908 Publication date: 1896 Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Bruce, Dwight H. (Dwight Hall), 1834-1908
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1094