St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-02
AUGUSTUS SCHELL.
Death of Teteram Patriot and Democ

Mr.. Augustus SeheIl died, at the age of
seventy-two years, at his residence, No. 9
West Thirty. fourth street, at 3.45 Thursday
morning March 81. His last words were {:
81 am willing to go, 1 have finished my
work.
Mr.. Schen was taken sick eight weeks be-
fore his death. His first symptoms were a
disposition to 90 without his meals, and,
later on, a decided repugnance to eating
anything. His digestion became irregular,
and finally his stomach refused any nour.
ishment. About four weeks ago it was
thought that Mr.. Schell would die, and his
relatives were so notified He rallied, how
ever, and two weeks ago was able to sit up.
His stomach trouble still continued, and last
Monday he began to grow weak. He refused
food of any kind, and, owing to the nature
of the internal disorder from which he suffer-
ed, liquids failed to nourish his system.
DR.. Egbert Guernsey, Mr.. Schelrs sole
medical attendant, has been unable TO de-
termine the specific nature OF his patients
ailment. but is inclined to believe that the
fatal attack was caused by Bright's disease
of the kidneys. Mr.. Schell was conscious at
all times during his illness and his mind
was perfectly clear. Mr.. Schen suffered
very little during his illness, and had every
confidence in the ability of his physician to
pull him through if it was possible, He
said to his wife and brothers that he felt con-
fident his physician would pull him through,
but his failure to retain solid or liquid food,
combined with frequent and violent attacks
of nausea, put him beyond the aid of medi-
cal skill.
While the life of Augustus Schell is too well
known to require lengthy sketch, it is not
out of place to give here brief account Of
his varied career. His reputation in the
nation as a man of sound views, patriotic
impulses and sterling integrity has been as
great as his prominence in the politics of the
state. He was philanthropist in the broad
est sense of the term, and always avowed
his belief in the much neglected doctrine
that one of the noblest works man could
be engaged in was in attempting to make
his fellow man happy. He was strict disci-
plinarian, man of many and original IDEAS
and incontrovertibly person who could not
be changed by promise of power or money
from carrying out any project that appealed
to and was Endorsed by his good sense. His
lofty and impartial administration of the
office of Collector Of the Port during Buchan-
ans incum bency merited for him the unani-
nous approval of the Chamber of Commerce,
and one of the most notable features OF his
tenure of Office as Collector was the fact that
he never subserved his convictions Of public
duty to advance in any way the interests OF
the party to which he belonged.
There has not been a National Democratic
convention in twenty-eight years at which
f,,. hrg ~ hoo
commanding voice heard. During his whole
life the great men of the times were proud to
be on intimate terms with him, and on many
occasions his sound common sense has
shaped the policy of his party. He has been
as great favorite in social life as in the field
of politics orthe domain of public enterprise,
and his kindly nature, courteous manner
and dignifed bearing made him welcome
visitor in many homes.
Mr.. Schell was born in Rhin check, Dutch
ess county, in 1911. His father was coun-
try merchant, and something of politician,
and it was at his store that the future Demo-
cratic leader learned his early political les
sons. Mr. Schell received his primary edu-
cation from the late Rev John R. Chowles,
of Rhinebeck When Is he became a stu
dent at Union College, Schenectady, and be-
came a classmate of Ex-Governor Lucius
Robinson. He graduated when - and be-
gan the study of law in the office Of John
Armstrong, Jr., of Rhinebeck, son OF Gen
eral Armstrong of the Revolution. Then he
entered the Litchfield, Conn, Law school,
and six months later came to New York,
where he was engaged in the law office of
Judge Slosson. There he finished his seven
years of stud: and was admitted to the bar.
He retained his place in Judge SlossOn's
office, and on the death of the latter he formed
partnership with his son and Waldo Hutch
ings. Mr.. Schell's legal ability and sterling
hone sly rapidly placed his firm among the
foremost of the city. AS soon as he began
to become known he took practical interest
in politics, and in 1852, in the fight between
the '.Hard-Shells' and 'tSoft-Shells'' his
name was mentioned in connection with the
governorship.
In 1857, while Buchanan was preside mt
the Democracy of the state and many Repub-
lcans united soliciting his appointment as
collector of the Port of New York. So high
ly was he esteemed that it was not matter
of surprise when twenty-one of the political
opponents came forward and offered to be-
bone his bondsmen. When he went out OF
the Office in 1860, the chamber of commerce
passed resolutions expressive of their high
regard for him. In that year he was dele
ton, supporting Mr.. Douglas, and has been
delegate to every convention since that time.
In 1867 he was appointed member of the
constitutional convention. In 1872 he was
candidate for governor, but was not nom
mated. He was, however, appointed chair
man of the National Democratic Committee,
and in the following year he was elected
Grand Sachem in the Tammany Society in
place of Tweed. Through his efforts the cele-
brated committee of Twenty-one, of which
Hon. John Kelly was chairman, was ap-
pointed to reorganlze Tammany hall and
purge it from the corruption of the Tweed
dynasty. 1t was Mr. Schell who issued the
call for the National Convention held at ST.
Louis in 1870 at which Hon. Samuel j. Til
den was nominated.
For many years Mr.. Schell has been quiet
but potent factor in Democratic councils and
campaigns. Broad, liberal and sagaeious in
his views, he combined many of the best
qualities of statesman with that keen,
practical knowledge of men and parties which
is invaluable to public man. Yet he was
personally unambitious and even unassum-
ing. Whatever of distinction fell to his lot
was forced upon him by party that admired
his sterling qualities and loved his rare politi-
cal integrity, his unwavering fidelity to the
principles he had espoused and his unselfish-
ness at all times when the welfare of the
Democracy was in question.
Mr. Schen was at one time President of the
New York Historical Society; for two terms
President of the st. Nicholas Society and
also of the Manhattan Club. He was a trustee
of many charitable institutions, and for a
short time director in the Western Union
and in Vanderhilt;S railroads ThrOuphOut