The New York herald., 1871-09-17
sydney II. Stuart.

Ex.Judge Stuart, for the past twenty years one OF
the most distinguished Of city criminal lawyers
died yesterday morning at his residence IN West
EightyIourth street. Though II has been known that
for some time past he has been subject at intervals
to attacks OF fever and ague his death was wholly
anticipated and its announcement was the occasion
OF most painful surprise to his numerous friends
Very few more striking examples Of what untiring
energy an indomitable will and determination to
succeed are presented tnan in the OF exJudge
Stuart. He was emphatcally sclf.made man.
He fought his way to place and achieved influence
and fortune wholly by his own efforts. He
born Bridgeville. n. j.. on the banks OF the Della
ware on May A. 1911. His father was a miller and
he being the eldest OF a large family, renamed at
home helping his father in the mill until he was
nearly twenty years Of age, when he came to
this city. His education was wholly neglected, so
mucn so that when he arrived in New York he was
unable to read. Obtaining position as porter in a
store he soon mastered the mysteries OF the alpha
bet by studying the letters on the signs and direc-
tons on the dry goods boxes. His ambition aroused
he essayed higher range OF literature by obtaining
books from a circulating library. AT length, In 1874,
lie received from Mayor Harper the appointment Of
Clerk IN the First District Police Court This deter
mined his future career lie applied himself diligently
10 the study OF law, was shortly admitted to the bar
and rapidly became most successful practitioner.
Subsequently he was elected Police Magistrate. q
position lie filed with probity and marked ability.
In 1894 he was elected to higher judicial trust that
OF City Judge After his retirement from the bench
he devoted his entire energies to MS profession. In
later years be gave his sole attention TO
criminal business. He was man OF ex-
tended legal research and an eloquent and
forcble peader No counsel ever worked more
Zealously for his clients. He was employed to de-
fend most Of the noted criminals whose names have
appeared on our court records for the past ten years.
ForlOrn hopes as many OF the cases were, his sue
cess in their defence has been unparalleled. He.got
the case OF Purcell now confined in the City Prison,
carried TO the Court vi Appeals writ or error.
lie has tnus lar saved Foster from the
gallows and the latter In the death OF his counsel
has lost his best Trend and aDest adviser. He had
large and lucrative practice, both in the state and
United states Courts. HIS last appearance IN Court
was on tuesday last In a writ Of babeas corpus be-
fore Judge Barnard He went home Ill from the
Court and the next thing heard Of him was the
startling intelligence OF his sudden death.
II Is not generally known that Judge stuart
had a passion for dramatic writing. Only a
few days before his death he hnisned
writing q pay-"Beatrce Cencr'-which Is
pronounced by those who have read II very mer
torous contribution to dramatic literature. In
politics the ex-Judge was an old line wing, though
he rode into the City Judgeship on the Known othing
wave. For many years he has taken no active part
In politics. though his ailiaions were with the re-
publican party. lie will be buried III Greenwood.
IL is expected that the Odd Fellows, OF which
organization he was formerly conspicuous MEM
Der, and the Blossom Club, OF which organization,
Notwithstanding 1t Is democratic club. he was one
OF the most genial and popular members, Will turn
out largely al his funeral.