Morning journal and courier., 1880-07-13
Sudden Death of George Beckwith

Sudden D6aG0 OI OeOFSe b0ckWICn Seized With Sudden Illness While Speak ing at English Hall and Dying in Few NIinutes-HIedicaI Attendanee-A Sketch of His Life and Career-Beck- Vvfth's Almanac.
 Our readers will no doubt be surprised to learn of the death of George Beckwith, which occurred very suddenly last evening. It was Mr. Beckwith's custom to attend the gospel temperance meetings which are held on Mon day evenings in the conference room at Eng lish's Hall, corner of State and Court streets. He was present as usual last evening, and while others were speaking on his favorite, theme he was an attentive listener. About ten minutes before nine o'clock he arose to address the meeting, and had said but few
 words when he suddenly placed his right hand on his left breast and said: Brethren, feel strange feeling coming over me-" Those present observed that he turned deathly pale, and as he took his seat those that were near supported him. A messenger was sent for a physician, and 1n few minutes Dr. Frank H. Whittemore was in attendance. Mir. Beckwith was laid upon the platform in the room on the doctors ar rival, and after gasping once or twice ex- pired. He had no pulse when the doctor arrived. After an examination Dr. White more gave it as his opinion that the cause of MT. Beckwith's death was organic disease of the heart Coroner Hugh Daley was notified, and after inquiry in regard to the facts con- cluded that an inquest was unnecessary Word WAS sent to Newton & Keller, under takers and about 10 o'clock they removed the body to the late residence of the deceased, corner of Dixwell avenue and Henry street Word had previously been sent to the family of his sudden death, and when the body reached the house sympathizing friends and neighbors were in waiting to receive 1t. The aged widow of the deceased, while deeply feeling the sudden death of her companion in life talked with great composure regarding his sudden death. When sorrow was ex- pressed she said 'We ought not to sorrow,
 for he has gone to better land-gone where
 he will be appreciated. He will no more be
 called old Beckwith,' but his lifelong service in the cause of humanity will
 be honored and my loss is his eternal gain. shall not remain here long, but will soon join him in the spirit land" In conversation with Mrs. Beckwith she told our reporter that she had never heard him complain of heart diff culties, although he had often said that he was troubled with excessive weariness and faintness when he could see no real cause for it. There is no doubt but that the seeds of the disease which caused his death had for long time been present in his system.
 Sketch of His Life.
 It would be difficult, probably impossible,
 to select citizen more widely known in the
 community, and we might well add in the
 county, for his oddities and eccentricities
 singled him out at once for notice If the
 white plume of Navarro was always conspicu
 ous in the thickest of the fight, it was not
 more so than the white hat of the deceased in
 our community, nor in any convention or
 gathering where the cause of prohibition was
 being fought, or any town meeting where
 some issue claimed his devotion and cham
 pionship. For many years he had been an outspoken advocate of prohibition, and never
 was opportunity in late years of further
 ing the claims of no license neglected by him.
 His almanac, though mainly devoted to its
 chief object, was sure to contain some sharp,
 
 ny of rum,'' or some brief, pointed commen-
 dation of total abstinence. If to go barefoot in the summer time and in one's shrtsleeves is luxury, then the deceased fully enjoyed both, and as regular as the spring time gave place to the heat of summer, for many years past, he was looked for on the thoroughfares
 minus shoes and stockings, and often with l out his coat-the old white hat crowning the 1 picture. He was forcible speaker, and hard l ly a session of the Legislature in late years
 when the temperance question was before it, | but found the white hat and it's wearer with l in the halls of the State pleading for prohib- | itory laws. But the deceased will long be
 remembered as the author and publisher of Beckwith's Almanac, and the old white hat and familiar ineaments, invariably for many years past, figured in the title page. He had published the almanac for thirty-three years, and it's merits gave it wide favor throughout the city and county, and further. Beck | with's Almanac" like the name and face of | it's author, were as familiar as household ! words He was thorough mathematician, | and gave great attention and care to all his
 work, taking apride to accomplish well what ! ever he undertook. Upon the title page of 1 the almanac were also invariably the descrip- l tive words: Calculated for Connecticut and l adjacent States by George Beckwith, pho nographer survivor of Beers, Middlebrook &
 Prindle." And now the honest-hearted suc-
 cessor of those worthies has also passed away.
 The deceased was a native of Berlin,
 Conn.,, born July 10, 1S10 making him just two days over 70 years. His parents re-
 moved to Southington when he was lad, and when young man he came to New
 Haven. He was an eager seeker after knowledge and thirsted for information, and 1 though he had few opportunities the result
 shows how well he applied himself He l leaves wife, to whom he was married in this | city thirty eight years ago, and one daughter, | Mrs. John J. Ewell, the medical clairvoyant | No. 2S1 Dixwell avenue corner of Henry l street, which was also the home of Mr. and
 Mrs. Beckwith. The deceased had been a
 resident of New Haven about forty five years. I He taught school about twelve years, first,in | the upper part of the old frame building at
 the corner of Elm and Church streets and afterward in the old frame building which
 stood on the corner of Church and George
 streets, long occupied by MT. A. F. Wood,
 the druggist. He taught boys arithmetic
 bookkeeping, mathematics, etc., and it is said of him that he was the first teacher to take colored boys into white school, this course exciting at the time some opposition and
 causing him the loss of some of his patronage
 circumstance which had only the effect of
 strengthening his resolution in the matter
 He was an earnest inquirer and believer in Spiritualism, and was ever courteously ready to give reason for the faith that was in him. He had no particular desire to accumulate
 money and was a liberal man in proportion
 to his means, and leaves but a small estate
 After long life he leaves many who will
 kindly remember him, and few if any who will not speak well of him.
 Personal.
 Superintendent Stevenson returns to-day
 from flying visit to western New York Mr. Charles S. Elliot, his mother and sister
 and Miss Phelps arrived in New York from Paric Cafnrdau Yiobt