WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

February 9, 1900

 

COL. THORN DEAD.

 

After Suffering with Temporary Insanity for a Few Days,

Death Ended All

 

            Col. Thorn has been a conspicuous figure before the Waupaca county bar.  He was aggressive and to carry weight to his convictions he was a fighter, especially for principles of what he believed to be right.  He was the leading attorney in the disbarment proceedings against Benj. M. Goldberg and he rejoiced at the decision of disbarment.  But he was not content.  He had an almost insane desire to see Goldberg behind the bars and was pursuing him for perjury.  The excessive use of stimulants blighted a brilliant career.  For a time he stopped after taking the cure.  But we learn, commenced again. After a time the result overpowered his brain and replaced intellect with madness, but death relieved him of all suffering on Saturday morning.  He died at his home in New London.

            Col. Thorn was a native of New York, and came to Wisconsin in 1855 and began the practice of law in 1858. He was a soldier in the rebellion. Has been prominently identified in the practice of law in Wisconsin for over thirty-five years; was once a law partner with Gen. E.S. Bragg, later with the late Chief Justice Ortou.  Has been in the state senate from Jefferson county.  For the past ten or twelve years has been practicing law in New London.