Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1873-06-18
DEATH SCENE IN A TEMPLE OF JUS
TlCE,
The Proceedings Of Court Arrested by a
Sudden Death.

The Proceedings Of Court Arrested by
Sudden Death.
Particulars Of the Sad End Of General
Joel A. Dewey.
When death in the twinkling of an eye
strikes down without a moments warning
young man in apparent full health, in
the very prime of manhood, it is fearful
demonstration of Divine power, which
those who witness will never forget. Such
scene was yesterday presented in th,
Circuit Court room in this city
where Judge Hall, a jury and coun
sci were busy trying an important
law case-Roehl VS.. BOond-once before
passed for the death of one of the Bar
| at the time of the sad event. Among the
lawyers who were quietly sitting
| within the bar, interested in listening to
the argument, was Gen. Joel. A. Dewey
of cambridge, who had been examined as
witness in the case. He had come into
court but short time before in apparent
ly as good health as ever. He was sitting
near some friends an interested listener,
when, without moments warning, he
fell forward from his chair on
the floor. Quick as possible Jas.
King, Esq, who was sitting by him,
caught him and with the help of other
brother lawyers, raised him up: He was
then gasping and struggling for breath.
He was carried outside the bar and laid
upon the floor and medical aid promptly
summoned. 1t was too late, for in a very
few minutes life was extinct. There he
lay amid the terror stricken spectators, the
proceedings Of the. Court suspended, a
splendid form, strong and sound appar-
emily, in the last agony of suffocation. DR..
Bailey examined the body and pronounced
life extinct. AS soon as the truth was real
lied Court was adjourned. The body was
removed to the Franklin House and taken
charge of by friends, who had it prepared
for burial. The startling news spread rap
idly and was everywhere received with
deep sorrow.
BEFORE DEATH.
day night, under. summons to tes-
tify in the case referred to, in company
with Hon. J. P. Swan, of cambridge.
They stopped at Mrs. William A. Bran
ner's, OH Church street. Gen. Dewey gave
his testimony in the case Monday and ex-
pected to start back to cambridge on the
early morning train of Tuesday. He awoke
at l and again at o'clock that morning,
to go on the train, but through persuasion
of Judge Swan, he agreed to wait for the
noon train. He was in unusually fine
spirits yesterday morning. Col. Jas. r.
Cooke, who lives next door to Mrs. Bran
ner's, spent some time with him about the
breakfast hour. He stepped over into Mr..
Cookies yard, talked about flowers and
books, and played with his children. He
went into the court house and greeted his
friends in his usual cordial way In
short time after he lay in the temple of
Justice dead.
SOMETHING ABOUT HIS LIFE.
We regret exceedingly that we have not
the data at hand to give a suitable account
of the life and services of our dead friend.
We can only speak in general terms of his
earlier years. At the outbreak of the war his
was home near Ashtabula, Ohio. He was
student at Oberlin College and class
mate of Prof. F. D. Allen, of the East Ten
nessee University. He went into the
service of the Government in 1861. Our
present information is that he was an Of
icer in the 42d Reg't. o. V. I. He first
served in the West with Gen. Pope, but
afterwards joined Sherman's army and
vas with him during most of the war. He
erved for a time on the staff of Gen.
2osecrans. About 1868 he was made
COLONEL Of the 111th U. S. G. l., and COM
handed a brigade near Huntsville. At the |
lose of the war, we believe, he command
d the post at Murfreesboro', Tenn: He was
t one time in military prison in Georgia
With DR.. J. Nat. Lyle, of cambridge. For |
aithful service he was promoted full |
,rigadier General of Volunteers.
He came to Tennessee to make |
bis State his home in the summer of 1865. |
II GrSf xuonf To GroopouiIlo onI for,,,od |
aw partnership with Mai. A. II. Petit |
one. He afterwards moved to cambridge,
nd was appointed Attorney General of the
econd Judicial Circuit. Thrown out of |
mis- office by the new Constitution of 1870,
e was reelected by the people by large
nd highly complimentary vote.
General Dewey was studiOus, safe and
rudent counselor. He was an affable,
ighly cultivated and thorough gentleman.
Re made friends wherever he went. He
as highly esteemed by his brother law
ers, was popular with the people, and yet
faithful and vigorous Prosecuting Attor-
nd few enemies. He was young man
{ fine address, handsome and apparently
vigorous health.
FORMER PREMONITIONS OF DEATH.
We understand that some two years ago
lille at Tazewell, he remarked one morn
lg to Mr.. Stern, of this city, that he came
ear dying the night before of suffocation.
When asked what was the matter, he
ointed to his heart and said "heart dis
ase". 1t seems probable therefore that
he cause of his sudden death was trouble
t the heart. 1t was sudden snuffing out
the light-an instantaneous check of the.
fe blood. Death came too sudden for ap-
oplexy, is the opinion expressed by a
,edical gentleman
The remains were enclosed in hand
,me casket and taken home by Judge
wan, J. M. Meek, Esq, and Charles D.
IcGufey, of this city. The Bar accompa-
led the remains to the train, Col. Baxter,
Judge Andrews, Geo. Washington, T. s.
Webb, Judge Swan, J. M. Meek, A. S.
rosser and A. j. Kicks, Esqs., acting as
all-bearers.
The good people of New Market, who
fought highly of General Dewey, were !
,rri6ly shocked when his corpse was TAX
q from the train. Deep and general sor-
Avn, xrou onifocfod The remaipc xyora | :