Wyoming Supreme Court 1884 - 1886
John Wesley Lacey was born on October 13, 1848 in Randolph County,Indiana. A graduate of Depauw University, he spent a short time in educational work before entering the legal profession. President Arthur appointed him chief justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court in 1884. He resigned on November 8, 1886 to practice law in Cheyenne. Lacey died in Cheyenne on February 11, 1936.
Lacey served as outlaw Tom Horn's defense attorney during his 1903 murder trial. Lacey was also the brother-in-law of fellow lawyer Willis Van Devanter, who would served on the Wyoming Supreme Court a couple years later.
Additional Resources