 Marshall opened a law practice in Columbia City in 1876 , taking on many minor cases . After gaining prominence , he accepted William F. McNagny as a partner in 1879 and began taking many criminal defense cases . The two men functioned well as partners . McNagny was better educated in law and worked out their legal arguments . Marshall , the superior orator , argued the cases before the judge and jury . Their firm became well known in the region after they handled a number of high @-@ profile cases . In 1880 Marshall ran for public office for the first time as the Democratic candidate for his district 's prosecuting attorney . The district was a Republican stronghold , and he was defeated . About the same time , he met and began to court Kate Hooper , and the two became engaged to marry . Kate died of an illness in 1882 , one day before they were to be wed . Her death was a major emotional blow to Marshall , leading him to become an alcoholic . 
