New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-29
OBITUARY..
WILLIAM A. BEACH.

"A.
died at his home in TarTytown yesterday after
noon al 345 o'clock. He had suffered for many
years With mitral disease of the heart For
three or four months be had been Ill, but
OF seemed much improved In health Yesterday
afternoon be rode IN caiage his yscians house
about o'clock and while there was seized Win con-
gsstve chill He was taken to his home at once and
died without suffering or pain.
Mr. Beach was born in Saratoga IN 1908. His father
merchant Of that He began to practice
law there and continued hs professional work in the town
until he was fifty years old In 1870 he was elected Dis
tric Attorney Of Saratoga County. In 1919 ne moved
to Troy, where he continued his professional ahors
until 1870 In Troy Mr. Beach the attorney Tor all
the prominent railroad corporations with interests IN
that city He many times offered an election 70 a
judgeship but refused to accept all these Offers lie
took a prominent part in opposing the erection OF
bridge over the Hudson River.
In the year OF 1901 Mr. Beach removed TO New
York and practsed law here, aferward az member OF
the firm Of Beach & Brown, successors TO the firm
dissolved by the election OF Judge kapauo
TO the Court OF Appeals The firm has been engaged in
many celebrated cases in this State notably the stokes
case, the impeachment OF Judge B1rnard and
Canal Commssion Dorm, the Beecher trial. and the
Vanderbilt suit for Sj0O0000. Mr. Beach was
the senior counsel for exCounty Clerk Gumbleton
who was removed from Office by Governor Robinson lie
was associated with Charles OConor defending Frank
WaIworth his trial for killing his father, but he would
take no fee for his services.
Mr. Beach leaves FIVE children. Captain Warren
Beach, Of General HancOcks staff, Judge Miles
Beach, OF the Court OF Common Pleas
and three young children. The Rev. DR.. John W.
Beach. president OF Wesleyan University, Is his
brother.
Mr.. Beach had long been prominent at the NewYork,
bar az Jury lawyer, rated for the adr0itness
variety and force his arguments and his
power TO influence the twelve men on
whose verdict the fortune fate OF his client would de-
pend In power and effective statement, IN an
ayzng the evidence In way to bring out the points Ia
vorabe tr his side OF the case, in fertility OF
resource and promptness in turning to account
every development In trial which might
be used to advantage, Mr. Beach was generally consd
ared have few superors at the New-fork bar lie was
looked upon great iurst and his opinion was
sought that OF an acknowledged master OF consul
tutonal questions His mind was OF uncommon subtety
and keenness rather than OF breadth and comphren
sivsness.
He had taken part in many former trials before he was
retained by Mr. rltou in his suit against Mr. Beecher
his abilities jury lawyer were recognized IN the
profession all the country But his connection with
the plaintiff made his name known all over the
country among ali Glasses of people Not that Mr. Beach
especially distinguished himself in the trial. Indeed his
efforts fell bsow general expectation But as
he acted as leading counsel for the p!aintih
-ex-Judge Fullerton combining himself almost en-
tirely 10 the crosse Examination or witnesses-he
was Of course an extremely conspicuous figure IN great
drama process Of which was watched with intense
interest in every part Of the United States.
HIS course tn proceeding severely criticised in
many quarters II was thought that he carried the IL
cense enjoyed by attorney too far and both In his per-
s,psl attacks on Mr.. Beecner, and in his use,
without sufficient investigation, OF testimony
which was sfterward proved to be perJured
he BETRAYED vtndictivenes that wholly unjustlh-
able and amazing disregard OF justice aud Harness.
Another famous proceeding in which Mt Beacn played
n prominent part was In tie prosecution or EdWard :
stokes for the murder OF James tlsk, IT. MI
Peach wa. retained assist the DstricAttOrney In
the first tr1 stokes was found guilty Of murder IN tue
NJ App@aIs ordered new trial. and this resulted
In stokes serving d term Of "A few years ID sing sing
o. late years Mr. Beach did appear frequently in
once for days HIS health had become feeble
study TO cases which he formerly delighted in. lie
was retained az OF counsel for the plaintiffs IN
S [a9 5T dd little Of the taking or other
work IN the hearings before Professor Dwight lew
MONTHS ago he suffering so severely rom heaTt
disease that his life was believed TO be in
danger. but he recovered from this attack only
IN ae1Te Mr.. Beach was little above
the medium height and was somewhat pOrtly. His
long thin gray hair va; brushed back RON MS . ot ccs
IFS upper lip aid cheeks were eIean sh-'en,
but bis chin was gs,t ago. covered Te1e S wS
stern in repose though he genial IN manner among
his friends his eyes gray and piercing MS voice
and poweruand bis gestures were full OF anla
ION and energy HIS persistence and hls exhaustive way
@, treating a subject illustrated by the fact
mat be occupied the sessions OF the court from June
10 % June b9 1875, IN summing up for Mr.. Tilton.
nent IN politics during the latter part OF his Ire
lie became a member Of the Tammsny society about
ei-h5 years ago, and delivered 10" aduFeSseS Oe4oo
that body