1964–65 Volume 89 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

AdistinguishedDISTINGUISHED PHI JURIST DIESHoosier Phi joined theChapter Grand when Sherman Minton (Indiana'15), United States Supreme Court Justicefrom 1949 to 1956, died in New Albany,Indiana, Friday, April 9, after surviving twoother serious illnesses since his retirement fromthe bench.Chief Justice Earl Warren and Indiana'sGovernor Roger D. Branigin (Franklin '24)headed a large delegation of nationally knowncitizens who attended a Requiem High Massin historic old Holy Trinity Church of NewAlbany, located only three blocks from the upstairslaw office where Brother Minton beganthe practice of law in 1916.Associate Justices Hugo L. Black and Tom C.Clark, retired Associate Justice Stanley F. Reed,and A. B. "Happy" Chandler, former Governorand Senator of Kentucky, were among those attendingthe Mass and graveside services.Prior to his appointmerit to the SupremeCourt by President Harry S. Truman in late1948, "Shay" Minton was a powerful figure onthe national political scene.He was born October 20, 1890, in Georgetown,only eight miles from Silver Hills, hisNew Albany area home overlooking the beautifulOhio River. Brother Minton spent his lastdays there as a semi-invalid.After graduation from New Albany highschool in 1910 he entered Indiana Universitywhere on January 6, 1912, he was initiatedinto Indiana Alpha # A 9 with Bond Number425. He graduated from Indiana summa cumlaude with a bachelor of laws degree in 1915.Later he received a master's degree from YaleLaw School.In 1916 he opened a law practice in NewAlbany but had barely begun this practicewhen he answered his nation's call duringWorld War I. Rising to the rank of Captain,he served in France with the 84th and 33rd Infantrydivisions.After his return to Indiana in 1920 he hadhis first introduction to the political field whenhe sought the Democratic nomination for the3rd Indiana Congressional District. He was defeatedbut this defeat did not dampen his ardorfdr the political arena.Fraternity Mourns Former SupremeCourt Justice Sherman MintonIN COELO QUIES ESTSHERMAN MINTON, Indiana '15In November, 1934, Brother Minton waselected United States Senator from Indiana. Herapidly became a national figure in this bodyand from 1935 to 1941 he was majority whipin the Senate.In the election of 1940 he failed in his attemptat re-election, losing to Raymond E. Willis(Wabash '96), but was named by the latePresident Roosevelt to the Seventh U. S. CircuitCourt of Appeals in Chicago. Eight yearslater President Truman elevated him to the SupremeCourt. Truman and Minton had beenseatmates and very dose associates while theywere fellow Senators.Among the survivors are his wife, a daughter,and two sons, Sherman, Jr. (Indiana '39) andJohn E. (Indiana '46).Indiana's Phi Governor, Roger D. Braniginsaid of Brother Minton: "Sherman Minton wasa great Hoosier. His bust in the state capitoland his portrait in the Indiana UniversitySchool of Law bear witness to his eminence inthe law and his place in the hearts of our people.He had a most distinguished record ofpublic service."[333]