Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1917 — SUPREME COURT JUDGE DEAD [ARTICLE]

SUPREME COURT JUDGE DEAD

Richard K. Erwin Died Friday at Fort Wayne Hospital. Fort Wayne, October 6. —Chief Justice Richard K. Erwin of the state supreme court died at 2:45 o'clock yesterday morning at St. Joseph hospital where he had been steadilj r declining for about six weeks. The justice, who was 57 years of age, was a prominent Democrat and one of the best known lawyers and jurists of the state. Judge Richard K. Erwin was elected to the supreme court in 1910. Four years before he was nominated by the Democrats for that position but was defeated. At the time of his death he was the senior member of the court and as such was chief justice. He was born ih Adams > county July- 11, 1860, son of David ErWin, one of the pioneers of that part of the' state. Judge Erwin was elected to the legislature in 1880, representing 'Adams and Jay counties and was re-elected two years later. He was appointed county attorney in 1891, serving until 1896- In 1900 he was nominated and elected judge

of the Ajdams circuit court and remained on that bench for six years. During that time his decisions were never reversed by the supreme court and only twice by the appellate courts.