The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-15
OBITUARY.


Telegram from Louisville announces the
death of James Guthrie IN that city on Satur-
DAY. For many months Mr.. Guthrie has been
an Invalid, for most OF the time confined TO his
residence and unable TO attend 10 his official
dui les. HIS decelse will therefore create no
surprise, II having been almost daily expected
sllce the latter part OF 1867. He had reached
the age OF seventy-six years and three mouths.
He was born ou q farm near Bardsto w. Nelson
county, Ky., Dect mber 8, 1892 HIS father was
an Irshman; his mother o native OF PeDusylva-
MA. Although persons OF small means they
gave their young son very good education at
the Bardstown Academy, where be graduated
credtably. Until his twent eth year he lived on
his fathers farm, engaged in agricultural pur-
suite, but In 1872 commenced trading with New
Orleans as owner OF a feet of latooats. In 1916
he abandoned this business, aud, returning
TO Bardstown, entered the law office OF the late
John bowap,- subsequently, Urited States
for two years, at the end of which time he was
admitted 10 the bar. After q few months spent
in Bardstown he went 10 Louisville where
greater Inducements were offered TO an able
LAWYER, HIS succefs in his profes ion was Inn
mediate, aud III few years he became known
as oDe of the leading lawyers of the State. By
means of an extensive practice he soon amassed
considerable property. Until 1884 Mr.. G1Lh-
rie bad held no public office, except for a brief
period, that of prosecuting attorney, butWhich
be soon abandoned for hts more lucrstive pri'
vate pracuve. He had, however, taken an
active part in politics, aud was one day shot by
a political opp OneDt, the wound beng of so
serious character that 1t confined HIM to his
bed Tor period OF nearly three years.
In 1894 Mr.. Guthrie was elected q member of
the Kentucky Stale Legislature, serving alto
gether fifteen years, nine being In the 10 Uer
house aud Elk In the State Senate. On the
questions OF railroads and other internal i'm
provemepts he took an active part. In 1850
he was elected member OF the State Constitu-
tlonal Convection, and at its meeting during
the early part OF the following year was selected
to pre- side over its deliberations. In Louisville
q ENGAGED nxtfnsiVplp in the han knU hu ainaaa
and was the originator of the Nashville and
Louisville Railroad, OF which he became the
president. After leaving the State Senate MIR.
Guthrie resumed the practice of his pro-
fession without interruption until the Presi-
dental campaign of 1852 when he made
vigorous canvass OF the State In favor
OF Mr.. Pierce, and after the election of that
gentleman received the appointment of secre-
tary OF the Treasury, which position he held
until the close OF the administration. Return
ing to Kentucky, he remained in private life for
q Dumber of years. being known In political
circles as a Union Democrat" Prior to the
meeting of the Democratic National Conven-
lion In 1860 his name was prominently men,
toned for the candidacy of the party for the
Presidency: but the proposition came to nothing.
During the Rebellion be kept strict neutrality.
In 1864 he was a delegate to the Democratic
National Convention which met at Chicago and
nominated General Mcclellan. Daring the fol-
lowing year he was elected Senator in Con-
gress by the Kentucky Legislature for the term
ending In 1871, and served on the Committees
on Finance, Agriculture, Patents, Appropria.
tiops, and Mines and Mining. In 1866 he was
delegate to the National Union Conventions y
held In this city. and which proved politi-
cal failure.
Soon after sickness prostrated him, and for
months he was unable to perform his public
duties. Discovering the impro liability of his
health ever becoming sufficiently restored to
enable him to engage again in political life, he
resigned his position IN the Senate during the
mon.h of February OF last year. From that
time until his death on SATURDAY., he fingered in
great bodily distress, seldom we'll enough to rise
from his bed, and always suffering.
MIR. Guthrie was man six feet two inches in
height, of large, gaunt, aud powerful frame.
His features were quite massive, but always
wore kindly and charitable air.
mrs. Lydia Beecher.
This lady, the third wife, and widow of DR.,
Lyman Beecher, and stepmother of Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher, died at the residence of her
daughter, Mrs. ID ckipson, in Brooklyn, Satur-
day morning. Nearly a fortnight ago she was
attacked by influenza, which superinduced con-
eestioD of the lungs from the effects of which
last-named disease she died. At the time of her
marriage with Dr.. Beecher she was the widow
of Captain Joseph Jackson, OF Boston, by whom
residents OF Brooklyn. There was no issue from
parties were well advanced in. years. Mrs.
Beecher was In the eightleth year of her age,
Her funeral services will be performed by Rev.
Henry WARD Beecher, in Brooklyn this after
noon, at halfpast l O'clock, after which the
remains will be conveyed to Boston for inter-
ment.