The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-11
MANSFIELD TRACY WALWORTH.
A Description Of His Character by One Who
Knew Him Cheerful, Amiablc and
Kind---IIiS Sons Mind Said to Have
Been Poisoned with Lies.

Been Poisoned with Lies.
THE GRAND JURY'S INDICTMENT.
The walworth tragedy still is the cause Of great
excitement in the public mind and everything OF
an authentic character relative to 1t Is listened to
and read with eagerness.
There was large attendance at the Court OF
Oyer and Termner yesterday morning. and when
the Grand Jury handed in the large batch OF indct
ments great curiosity was manifested in regard to
the recent parricide, and AZ to whether young
Walworth would DO arraigned II indicted for the
crime with which he Is charged. 1t was already
known that the Grand Jury had 0fficiay considered
the case, and, IL having been announced that Wal
worth was indicted for murder in the 6rst degree
the prospects OF the trial were made the theme OF
much discussion. No other result was anticipated
from the deliberations Of the Grand Jury than that
which came to pass and the approaching trial will
excite great interest throughout the country
Fresh Developments are looked forward to from
the correspondence OF the deceased, all of which
has not yet been made public. 1t has not been
definitely settled when Walworth will be ar
raigned.
The following letter is written by friend OF the
dead man. Mansfield Tracy walworth, who knew
his character and nature WELL 1t will be found to
possess singular INTEREST,"
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Some five years ago l went to Saratoga as q
newspaper Correspondent and arrived In the
month vi August, az which time that famous centre
OF frivolity and extravaganza swarms with adven-
turers and utra-tashlonabes IRON all quarters OF
the globe In the midst OF Babel OF excitement
Walwol this novel, emitted .Warwickn (being con-
structed with unique and startling ingenuity sue
ceeded In riveting the attention OF all
claac hu
even the most listless and unthinking-s0
that parlor. piazza, bedroom and Congress Park
readers. As a consequence, there was vast deal
Of comment in regard to the author, and he was
Springs IN tact, like another Byron. s'ne awoke
one morning and found himself famous" This was
undoubtedly the happiest period 81 poor Walwortn's
Checkered and sad career. He was frequently
alllaed to as man exceedingly gii!ed, modest
and engaging. "Warwick" Is remarkable for three
Wild AND ExUBERANr IMAGINATI0N,
an immense collection OF strange and startling
and panctiousy chvairc bcinTs ' Constant Earle
and May Deiano. In becoming acquainted with
several resident families noticed, as usual. that
Walw0rth's most severe and merciless critics were
the people OF his own village AS an instance Of the
competency OF such censors one young lady, after
book, cOOlly inquired of me who Humboldt was.
After reading the book l Immediately wrote
kindly notice oiit This soon alter. attracted Mr..
WalwOrth's attention, and he called upon me ut
the American Hotel.
l never remember to have encountered more
agreeable, hOnest-looking and unassuming man.
Lie was nearly six ieet in height, splendldly pro-
pOrtoned dressed with scrupulous naatness and
hair clred IL crisp locks UNDER
hat, and pair OF bright and manly blue eyes
sparkled with intelligence and good-fellowship.
HIS nose was well formed, mouth efiemnately small,
face clean shaved, with the exception of delicate
brown mustache: There was a peculiar look about
with many others, that he had once been greatly
dissipated. This, have since learned was an In
hepad @ OF tae sk h na Ms caess was
straight as pine. After remarking that was
glad to become acquainted with
THE CREATOR OF CONSTANT EARLE,
he replied that he felt indebted to me for the
friendly notice had written, and aughingy added
that some OF the newspapers had slashed him with
out mercy-many editors having literally fallen
upon him tooth and nail. On the other hand, q
giving promise Of greater things than any other
living American writer. He said he was not dis
couraged, however. and that he had already begun
arranging the plot OF Persian novel; then re-
into the "bottomless pitt or the Mammoth Cave
weird narratives. He replied that If he thought he
could ever write anything worthy to be compared
cient glory for any man. At parting he invited me
to call at his house, and subsequently became In
innate with the whole family; Many OF the even en-
pleasantest OF my recollections, Often OF a warm
afternoon we all recined upon the sward beneath
the shade OF the huge whispering pines in the rear
OF the house. and discussed literature, philosophy
and religion the little girls and boys oftentimes
apparently as much interested as ourselves. In
deed, never in my life behed pleasanter family
group than the Walworths then presented. re-
member, among other things, Mrs. Walworth's
laughing account OF how her husband once reused
her the middle Of the night, and told her he had
solved the problem how to save his hero from fall
ing into the .bottomiess pit" after he got to the
At this time Walworth was in the habit of taking
companied him, and ne Informed me that in years
previous his life had been endangered by
sOFTENING OF THE BRAIN,
the doctors informing him that his only hope was
In constant outdoor exercise. ! heard from the
Saratoga gossips that he had formerly been very
dssipated, and that he and his wife had for time
separated. He was also represented as very un-
principled man, but as had ample reason to know
that the scandal-mongers Of Saratoga were them
/ paid no attention to what heard. In all my
conversations with the family, whether together or
the slightest reproach. know there is certain
malignant clique in that town that would hesitate
dent that the utter disruption OF this little Eden
was occasOned by outside liars and informers.
Hearing Of my reputation a. an eloeutonist Mr.
Der Of highly cultured ladies' and gentlemen to
meet me at his house. Among these were Judge
law reporter brother or the venerable Judge Bar
bour), and Major Richie. editor Of the Saratogian
From that time Mr.. Walwcrth became one Of my
warmest friends, subsequently introducing me
to the Albany editors and writing notices OF me
himself an a su5sfa
have not found OF every day occurrencel that at
once expressed my surprise Tor the warm per-
repss " sy ySe s sS
amount OF the Indian in my dspositon-I never
forget either an enemy or friend" u one-third
OF the horrible incidents related OF nim In the
| New York journals are true, then i am convinced
| that they occurred at time when
- HE WAS POSITIVELY INSANE.
| In place uke saratoga the only compensation
| likely TO be meted Out TO gifted and generous
| author is envy OF the most malignant type.
In regard to the character OF the fouly murdered