New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-10
For Tho Tribune,
Samuel HniIest.

reseubed the wonderful intellect which that rash act
ouenohed in the meridian Of Its brightness. For II
ever mind could be called electric in its qualities and
modes of action. il his And now that he Is dead
and the anmosities OF enemies are 1t Is hoped. en-
tombed In the grave with the regrets OF friends
for those which they poworess to prevent
few words will not be amiss In explanation OF bis
character and of the circumstances of his melancholy
DEATH
fany man was entitled 10 the reputation of genius
that man was Samuel Hallett. Rising suddenly from
poverty through the crises Of affairs OCCURRING between
1850 and 1861. be had attained position which gave
him control Of some Of tho most gigantic financial en-
terprises Of the age. Losing at period through
lmprudence, the fortune which he had arnasseu DIS
powers Of resource became more fully developer WIN
his misfortune and he was able. from the dcP'h 10
which he was pre0pitated, to sezo ana direct ihnh
ences which would have raised him vastly higher thsn
before In the scale Of pecuniary prospcftyS AS no
success ever satiated his limess AMBITION so no fs
ure ever discouraged his hopes or weakened the power
OF his infeIible will With resources ever at oom'
uand TO meet tho most formidable emergencies, be
never permitted fears of failure TO interrupt his efforts
aud the obstacles IN his path, which to other men,
would have been fatal only afforded him fresh incen'
tives for eXerion and furnished him opportunities ior
new triumphs by which TO demonstrate the supremacy
Of his genius. With mingled courage and selconn'
doncc which gave 10 his character the appearance OF
sublime audacty. he never hestosed to plunge INTO
any struggle involving q prize which seemed 10 MIN
worthy of contests and 50 ready were his perceptions
and prompt was his execution. that his rapid combine
tons often baed his opponents at the very instant that
victory seemed secure in their grasp.
Hts influence on tho railway enterprises Of the period
was remarkable Though not yet 40 years OF age
he had been instrumental In expeditng not In SAVING
from destruction two Of the chief roads OF the country
namely, the Atlantic and Great Western. and tho Ia
cfc Both of these owe their present success at least
to his sagacity and persistcncy In the early days when
the conservatism Of capital shraIk from the risks oil
what seemed doubtful adventure II does not matter
that other will have conducted these enterprises to
final success; to Samuel Halet belongs the credit OF
hsving saved them in the initial periods. when brain
and courage wero needed TO accomplished what mere
money could not
The moral character OF Mr.. Halett has been vche'
meny bitterly assailed and he has been denounced by
personal enemies as criminal in all those respects IN
which the world hurahs for virtue. 1t viii scarcely be
necessary the intelligent reader that In this
case as in All others where sits for his pprtrait
10 an arts. whose brush is dipped in personal malice
The dark coors are made greatly to prevail ON the
canvas rs to rob the picture OF all features Of fidelity
Mr. Hallet was rtry Aunon add lie bad iaulis not DIS
proportioned TO bis genius. But these did not
originate in natural depravityi they arose rather
rom the immense prcdoninance OF ambition una
will. which subordinsted al things eho TO al
pa sson for suocesI. To accomplish an object vhich
dazzed Lis sight and absorbed all bis faculties he would
sacrifice ease pleasure health what wonder. then.
II he sometimes threw overheard friendship and good
faith trusting ersntuGI sseoess TO make princey
amends for all the wrongs which he most unwisely felt
to infict With him. the end JUS
Iifed the means. And 1t cannot be denied mat
IN native generosity. and trustfulasts, and nome
capacity OF forgiveness for wrong suffered ne
yas as far elevated above mort Of lis com
peers as he was in intellectual gifts Many OF biz mis-
ortunes which have been attributed to dcpraviiy.
-eally were caused by his confidence In those VINO
proved themselves chan hoi and many OF ms
bitteres euemies cover with their caution worse sin,
than his recklessness eIposed in himself TO their obser
.at.On.
Let me- not omit to record In his favor. tho existence
Of patriotism which should redeem thousand faults
Here there was no hesitation and doubt his hdety
10 country might DE called his ruling psssoni and 10
hour Of darkness during the Rebellion. could shake h
prophetic faith In the future.
The circumstances Of his death fly illustrate the
manner in which Lis enemies pursued him through ife
n engineer Of the Union Pacific Railway. Eastern
Division, named Talcctt, rad written TO President
Lincoln letter abusive Of MI Hgliett and tho charao
ter Of his work Oh the road Tits letter was sent 10
sir. Helles and naturally excited his indignation
From st. Louis where be then was, be toegraphed his
brothers q, wYandote in Kansas That Taco,t deseryed
rhastisement. A few days snerward 1dcott entered
the Office Of the contractor arpedi md. some words
occurring betw cen him and Thomas Hsiett he dew
, revolver which the latter vrosiod from him
and threw across tho room. DO tlen led
Taleott TO the door ond elected him with
A parting salute from his hand, in way which
mose OF indgnity than violence All this was
months ago aud the stories OF Samuel lailct having
threatened Talcott's life utterly destitute OF any
truthful foundation. Only two days before the homi-
eide they in the streets or Wyandottc exchanged
civillties and shook hands. without any evidence OF
vndicive feeling the part Of either But on the 9Th
day Of July Talcott came armed into Wyandotte and
took bis station ut tic door Of drug store. past Which
Mr.. Haett must go in returning from dinner TO his
Office. NJ. Helete passed as usual, no word or sign OF
hostility was exchanged; but the moment after Taloou
raised rife took aim and ,hof hin IN ue back causing
immediate death. Tie deed done, the assassin sprung
Oh his horse and before the bystsnders conoanded by
the enornily and audscy Of the crime had recovered
from their horror he had dashed away and has ~ yet
succeeded In eluding arrest.
Could this man have pcrpetred this horrible murder
from desire for revenge inspired by cause so dis
or eas he tie paid agent Q others, who
had deeper interest In the death Of the vicum'
Had Haett lived. his would have startled the
world q comet exctes admiration and curiosity end
fear In its erratio ourneyng among the steadier lights
whose mote@ents are governed BY laws which We oan