New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-08
JONI WORTH RDsOSDs,
Born in Hudson, n. T.,
March -, 1893.
Died in New YORK City
April o, 1874.

The funeral procession again formed and headed
by the cergymen aud pail bearers, passed out OF the
center door OF the church, where the hearse in
waiting. The following the ball bearers Judge
Sutherland Judge Mcneil Judge Parker OF Albany, DR..
Grey Carnochan, H. smales Thomas Allison William
Cauldwe I. l.. Gosln, W. II. Fields, c. p. Shaw, 8. j.
Tlden, c. ii. Ketche, and W. II. Jellfe. The remains
were then conveyed via Third-ave Broadway, Fourth
ST. &C., to the foot OF Leroyst where the Hudson pro-
peller waiting to convey them to Hudson, Column
ba County, at which place they will be buried in the
same grave with Judge Edmonds's late wife.
& The Hon. j. W. Edmonds a man OF peculiar char
acter firm in his friendships and equally firm in his OPP
position He the son OF revolutionary officer, and
grandson Of Thomas WORTH of the fret settlers Of
Hudson n. Y, where Judge Elmonds was born. After
receiving a collegiate education, he began the study OF
law at COOperstown, with George Morell tafterWard
Chef-Jusrce OF Michigan and subsequently, at Hudson
with Mcneil and Van Buren,. In 1919 he entered the
ONCE OF Martin Van Buren, at Albany, but returned the
following year Hudson and began the practice of law
He remained there about 10 years part of which time
he held tho Office OF Recorder Previous to his receiving
this appointment from Gov. De Witt Clinton, he held
various positions IN the state militia, rising To the rank
OF Colonel He also represented Columbia County In
the Legislature both in the Senate and Assembly and
did much to improve, by legislation the condition Of
WORKING men After leaving the Legislature he went
Goyernment mission to the Indians and while living
among them learned several Indian languages Late IN
1857 he came New York CITY, and began practice as
his associates. During 1913 he was appointed
State Prison Inspector, and founded the prison
association for ameliOratng the condition OF
convicted criminals BY his exertions corporal punish
ment was removed, and a series OF rewards for good
conduct were Instituted He also adopted measures for
enabling discharged criminals to gain an honest liyei
hood From lsi to 1853 occupied the positions OF Cir
cult Judge Judge of the Supreme Court and Judge OF
the Court Appeals In 1853 he retired from the bench
on account of his having declared religious belief IN
ton in December 1850, he said he distinctly heard the
voice OF his wife with whom he had lived flor over 80
wears and who had died month before, cahng TO him
while he lay on the sofa. This caused him TO inyesti-
gate the subject OF spiritual intercourse with humanity,
and soon he became believer in the theory During
1851 the passion for this doctrine snd'n consequence OF
the high position he held as Judge brought upon him
regularly attended seances OF table tipping and rap
ping and travelled the country to meet any one
who bore the name Of Medium" Everything in favor
and against the doctrine he noted down and studied
with great energy, At first with desire TO hold out
against the belief but at he became convinced
be said from ndisputabe proofs that the spirits OF the
dead could appear TO the living In 1853 he boldly as
serted this belief and published book entitled spirit
ussin." recounting what he had seen, and aiming TO
harmonic the doctrine with that Of Divine revelation
He also became medium" himself and asserted that
many OF his judicial decisions were instgaed by
the opinions OF ursts who had passed away aud whose
forms he could around him the bench. During
trip Central America in 1884, he declared that by spr
ualsm his frienus IN the circle 10 when he belonged
knew daily Of his movements. grandsons Illness in
Canada, the death Of friend the destruction OF the
steamer Henry Clay and other things he SAID were con
yeyed 10 his knowledge by spiritual meaDs long before
the intelligence could reach him through the usual chan
Manifestations from the spirits Henry Clay.
Cooper, Ehas Hicks, William Penn, and others,
and the spirit OF ex- President Martin Van Buren,
appeared at Judge Edmondss bedside the night
after the death OF former The late Judge claimed
that the spirits OF his dead father and Van Buren, APP
peared together him. and his description OF the
vivid He also claimed to have held with
Abraham Lincoln and j. Wilkes Booth after their deaths
and through tins to know OF their reconciliation IN the
spirit land. For long time he was public speaker
and FIRM advocate Of the spritualistc doctrine. but
latterly had taken active part IN the movement. al
tongh never expressing anything ike doubt Ia his
belief Notwithstanding that he gave great amount
time this peculiar faith LIE never neglected hls
practice, and amid his growing lnhrmities he
would often appear when occupied with important
case personally In court aud argue upon IT, although
compelled TO about with crutch. In his study he
would sometimes sit for hours, aud by means OF "a
wheeled char consult his valuable library when de
srous of being alone His death was not unexpected
even by himself and he left behind written directions
as TO his funeral, especially enlOlniDg that his body
should be placed In the grave win his vile, that
our ashes may mingo and DO one earth our souls
will be Que u the sDrit world"