St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-11-09
The Sudden Death of Col. Foster.

just as we went to press last week,
we received telegram announcing the
death of Col. Foster, which we gave our
readers. This worthy notice of the
decease we find in the st. Adams Mes
senger
The sudden decease of Hon. Asa Bel
KNAPP Foster, in the midst of exciting
controversies, has carried sadness be-
yond the mere circle of his adheTents
and friends, large as it was, for it is a
reminder to friend and foe alike that
Death waits for no man and considers
no event. 1t seems that he arrived at
the Ottawa Hotel, Montreal, in the
evening of Wednesday, from the scene
of the troubles on the Southeastern rail-
way, and was engaged during the even
ing in consulting with his friends. He
complained of having eaten too much
supper, which aggravated heart diff
ticulty of long standing, and his son,
A. B. Foster, Jr., gave him some ginger
tea and hot neutrality-suspicious.. Feel
ing better about midnight, he fell asleep
and his friends took their leave save his
son. About 3 a. m. he expressed fear
of having another attack, but again fell
asleep. About his breathing became
stertOrous and his son called help and
sent for physician, but before they
arrived he was dead. The next day bis
remains were taken to Waterloo, his
home, for funeral and interment. His
age was 81, and he leaves a widow, five
daughters and two sons.
We have not the data at hand for
properly sketching the career of the de-
ceased. He began life in humble cir
cumstances, but by shrewdness and en-
ergy in business acquired property,
credit and local distinction. With these
advantages he embarked in railroad
building, and several lines in Canada
owe their construction to his enterprise
and sagacity. After building the Stan
stead Shefford & Chambly, he retired
for several years, living in elegant ease,
but at the same time fOstered several
young enterprises, among them the
Southeastern, which he finally took up
and carried to completion through diff
culties that had appalled, and hindered
less resOlute and capable men. No
sooner was this completed than he con-
tracted to build the Canadian Pacifi,
railway and prosecuted the work with
characteristic energy until embarrass-
ments for which he was not responsible
compelled the temporary abandonment
of the scheme. His part in the pend
ing controversy along our northern Dor
der and the shabby treatment that he
met with in Orleans county are events
of too recent occurrence to require fur,
Their allusiOn. The opinion is expressed
that the excitement caused by then
preclpitated his death.
Col. Foster had also been active il
politics. More than twenty years age
he represented the county of SheffOrt
in the parliament of Lower Canada, anG
when the provinces united to form the
Dominion, he was appointed by the
: queen IA senator for life, which position
he held, with honor aud influence, unit
he resigned it to take the contract fol-
building the Canadian Pacific. He wal
a man who did not hesitate to take
risks, and he saw the ups and downs o
enterprise and speculation. OF course
he had friends and enemies. How fa
he was blameworthy OF praiseworthN
must be left for impartial Judgment t.
a time when interests shall have subsid
ed and passions cooled. 1t is not toe
early now, however. to say that he wal
: a remarkable man, man of grasp ant
insight, warm friend, iorgiving enc
my, true husband and father, and ;
man whose open heart and open hous,
have left many tender memories be
hind.