Another Great Loss

The University is again called upon to mourn the loss of one of its most clistinguished professors. Shortly after ten o'clock yesterday a telegram was received from Detroit, stating that William 1'. Wells had suddenly paraed away. During the forenoon he was arguingan injunction case in.the Wayne eiren' t court. Judge Reilly was on the bench. When he had iinished his argument he sat down :n a chair and engaged in a whispered conversation with another lawyer. He seemed tobe in his usual health. Suddenly he feil sideways, his head drooped upon his shoulder and his face grew ashy pale. He appeared to suffer intense pain and was unable to utter a word. Physicians wereimraediately summoned whofound that death had resulted from an apopleotic shock. Many of tbose present who had admired and loved the brilliant lawyer could not keep back their tears when they learned that he was dead. Judge Reilly took it upon himself immediately to appoint a committee tú look after the funeral arrangements, consisting of the following persons: George H. Prentiss, Don M. Dickinson. Henry M. Campbell, H. A. Chaney, Levi T. Griffin, Judge A. H. VVilkinson. The lifeof Williatn P. Wells has been a brilliant one. He was born, February 13, 1831, at St. Albans, Vermont. His early education was received at the Franklin county grammar school. In 1847 he entered Ihe University of Vermont, from which institution he graduated in 1851. Not long after this he became a student at the Harvard law school, and when he received his diploma in 185 1 the highest honors of the class were bestowed upon him. He began the practice of law in his native state but soon removed to Detr' it, where he was for a time a partner of the late Judge James V. Campbell. He was appointed lecturer of law in the University during 1874-75 and inthefollowing year was elected Kent professor of law. In 1886 he resigned his position and devoted his attention exclusively to his law practice in Detroit. During the spring of 1887 he delivered lectures on constitutional history before the literary students. In the fall he again accepted the position which he had held before in the law department. Mr. Wells was very prominent in politics. He presided over several state democratie con ven tions. Ile was appointed assistant secretary of the treasury by President Johnson but was not conflrmed. He was a very efficiënt stumpspeaker. Ile was considered by many the best orator in Michigan. Mr. Wells took a great interest in the American Bar association. He was made chairman of its general coundl in 1888. Mr. Wells was married in 1857 toMies Mary Campbell, who died not long ago. Only one son survives. As a teacher, William P. Wells stood high. His dignified and thoughtful bearing won the admiration of all his students. His personal character was above reproach. His ability was unquestioned. His place in the University will not easily be filled. -.