The Sudden End of a Colorful Pioneer Judge

Judge Isaac M. Hall, the well-known pioneer lawyer, dropped dead in Sheehan's saloon on Second street shortly after 8 o'clock yesterday morning; the cause of his death was fatty degeneration of the heart. He had not been home the night before, but had spent the night with some boon companions. At about 11 o'clock he went into the Pantheon saloon, and after spending some time there with friends talking about curious things in ancient history and reciting poetry, he went to sleep in a chair. Around 7:30 in the morning, the porter, W. B. Stevens, asked him to move so he could scrub the floors. Hall moved to Sheehan's place next door, leaned against the counter, and fell asleep. Stevens later moved him to a card room in the back to sleep in a chair. About fifteen minutes later, Stevens heard a crash and found the Judge dead on the floor. Judge Hall was a distinguished member of the King County bar, known for his brilliant wit, phenomenal memory, and wide knowledge of literature. He was born in Indiana in 1841 and arrived in Seattle in 1864, where he worked as a lawyer and newspaper editor. He served as probate judge from 1881 to 1883. Though he suffered from the consequences of his heavy weight in his later years, he was a popular and respected figure who held a deep appreciation for classical literature and ancient history.