An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., 
The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, page 500

	JUDGE JAMES L. CROTTY. -- Prominent among the lawyers of the great Northwest
none are better known than the subject of this sketch, Judge James L. Crotty, of
Spokane, Washington, who was born in New London, Huron county, Ohio, September
15, 1862, and who is pre-eminently a self-made man. He was educated principally
by his mother, Mrs. Kate M. Crotty, whom above all others he delights to honor
for all that he has accomplished. He studied law under the direction of Hon.
George L. Converse, of Columbus, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in that
State.
	At an early age he evinced a great aptitude for politics, and was a delegate
to the Democratic State Convention in Ohio in 1878 and 1879. Before he became of
age, during the year 1879, he removed to Colorado and finally settled in Denver.
There he was assigned by the court to defend the men charged with murder in
connection with the great Chinese riots in Denver in 1880, and after a long and
bitter struggle, battling with the ablest criminal lawyers in the West,
succeeded in securing their acquittal. In conducting this case he demonstrated
his ability as a lawyer and eloquent advocate of great power, and immediately
became popular as well as prominent. Owing to his great popularity he was
nominated and elected Judge when barely twenty-one years of age, running several
hundred votes ahead of his ticket, and being the only Democrat elected. At the
time of his election he was Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee; but,
being in favor of a protective tariff, and not in accord with his party, he
joined the Republican party, cast his first, presidential vote for Hon. James G.
Blaine, and has ever since been an uncompromising Republican and protectionist
and an earnest advocate of free coinage of silver. Since be retired from the
bench he has steadfastly refused to be a candidate for any office.
	He went from Colorado to California in 1885, and engaged in railroading and
newspaper work for several years. He was interested in the famous Mexican land
grant, and, through the rapacity of the Mexican Government, lost a fortune. He
came to Washington in 1887, and has resided here ever since.
	Judge Crotty has always manifested great interest in the labor question, and
practically managed the strike on the Northern Pacific in 1889, which resulted
in a complete victim for the employees and effected a great increase in their
wages. In this contest he displayed the same tact, firmness and generalship that
has always characterized him in any emergency; and it was through his courage
and fidelity to duty and right that his efforts were crowned with victory. His
devotion to the cause of the railroad men won him their lasting gratitude, and
among that class his friends are legion. He was attorney for Coleman, in the La
Grande murder case in Oregon, being employed by the railroad and Union Telegraph
companies, and secured the acquittal of his client after a trial lasting a
month. He has an extensive practice, principally damage suits for railroad
employees and criminal cases, and is remarkably successful. He is also attorney
for several large mining companies. He is one of the sturdiest members of the
Republican party, and his counsel is much sought for. At present he is Chairman
of the Republican Central Committee in Spokane.
	Personally, Judge Crotty is of fine presence and genial disposition, and is
courteous to all. He is an enthusiast in any cause he espouses. In Washington he
is regarded as one of the foremost young lawyers, and is destined to fill an
important place in her history.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.