Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-08-09
SUDDENLY CALLED.
Judge Oscar Stephenson Stricken With
Heart Disease and Dies In Few Min

Judge Oscar Stephenson Stricken With
Heart Disease and Dies In Few Min
utes.
Between and o'clock yesterday afternoon
the many friends of Judge Oscar Stephenson
were shocked by the report, which was rapid
ly circulated, that he was dead. A call at his
residence, on the corner of st. Peter street
and College avenue, proved that the sad report
was too true. The circumstances of his death
show that it was painfully sudden.
Judge Stephenson was at his office last, up
on Saturday forenoon. He went home about
noon, complaining of severe pain in his
subject. He was, however, able to be about,
and summoned no medical assistance.
On Sunday and yesterday he was about the
house, though lying down portion of the
time. Sunday night he sat upon the front
piazza of his residence for an hour or two,
chatting with friend who called. Yesterday
he was feeling better. he arose late and ate
quite hearty breakfast. The heat as much
as his illness induced him to remain at home
At noon he sent a note to Mr.. Jacob Manner,
with whom he has an office, stating that he
was better and would be down this (Tuesday)
morning to attend to some business In which
they had Joint interest. At half-past three
in the afternoon he hailed one of Aid. Dow
lan's wood. carts, which was passing his
residence, and gave the driver an order for
some wood, and at the same time paid him
for it. He had then just arisen from an
afternoon nap, his youngest child, a boy be-
down and slept with him. Shortly before 4
he complained to his mother of pain in his
chest and nausea, and went to the back door
of his house, making an unsuccessful attempt
to vomit. Coming into the sitting-room he
called for a wet towel, and passing into the
adjoining bedroom, threw himself across the
foot of the bed. His mother brought him the
towel in moment, and found him gasping
for breath. With wave of the hand he in
dicated that he did not want the towel, i'm
mediately became unconscious, and after few
more gasps ceased to breathe.
His mother and servant girl were the only
ones IN the house at the time. Medical aid
was summoned, and Drs. Boardman and Ruth
were soon present, and few minutes later DR..
Davenport arrived. All agreed that his death
was pronounced case of heart disease.
Judge Stephenson was born in South
hampton county, Va, May 10, 1880, and was
therefore little more than 81 years of age.
He graduated at the University of Virginia,
and in 1854 came fresh from the law school
of that institution to st. Paul, where he
opened law Office. In 1859 he was elected
to the legislature, and served one term. Upon
the breaking out of the war he returned
to Richmond, and remained during hostil-
tiles. He had large interests there which were
utterly wiped out by the capture of the city and
destruction OF property. In 1865 he returned
to st. Paul and resumed his law practice. On
the Goth of June, 1865 he was married to Miss
Lillias Robertson, daughter of Col. D. A.
Robertson of this city. In 1868 he was elected
probate jndge of the county and held the po-
sition for two terms. In 1874 he was elected
for the third term and since retiring from that
in 1S77, has held no public position. He
leaves besides his wife and aged mother, two
sons aged about IA and years and two
daughters aged respectively 10 and 10 years.
No other immediate relatives survive him.
Judge Stephenson was man of marked
ability, and if he had had more vigorous
physical constitution, would have undoubted-
ly reached o prominence more than local. He
proved clear, able and correct judge, and his
legal decisions were never overruled. At the
time of his death he had nearly completed
work on probate law, which the legal fIater-
nifty were looking forward to obtaining with
much interest. He was fine writer, both up
on current topics and general literary work,
and the Atlantic, Harpers and other publica-
tions, have frequently given place to his con-
tributions.
Unostentatious. only those who knew him
were fully aware of his ability and
literary attainments. Physical ailments mar
red his life, and prevented his mental ability
from having the sway it deserved. He had
few intimates, and it was only those who
knew him well who could appreciate him. He
was kind hearted and generous and many
poor man who has had a legal or other favor
from Judge Stephenson will be mourner
over his sudden demise. He chafed under
physical restraints, which prevented the full
power of his mental resources from develop
ment. This lead many to misjudge and mis-
understand him.
He was warm personal friend, and true to
his friendships, whether they proved favora-
BILE or unfavorable to himself. Those who
knew him best esteemed him most.
The funeral takes place at 2 p m. to-mor-
row, from the Church of the Good Shepherd,
corner of Cedar and Twelfth streets.
MIRACULOUS CURES