Thomas County cat., 1886-12-02
Ex.PREslDENT ARTHUR.

The sad news of the death OF eX
President Chester Allan Arthur wa:
telegra phed Thursday to all parts o.
the world. In the United States herr
as well as among his own kinfolks fh'
intelligence was received with many
expressions of regret. All over the
United States millions of good peo
pie, of all parties and creeds, will lay
aside the bitter strife of factions ant
join together in poignant grief. The
news while not entirely unexpected
was quite surprise. The deceased
was a man of more than usual vii
power, and it was expected by many
that he would sail safely through the
present storm and be spared many
pleasant days on life's voyage. But
the Great Creator whose ways are
past finding out. willed it otherwise
and on Friday morning at five O'Clock
the lamp of life went out.
The ex-president was born at Fair
field, Franklin county, Vermont, on
the 9Th of October, in 1880. His
father was a prominent Baptist
preacher who came to this country
when he was eighteen years old, from
Antrim, Ireland. He was for years a
prominent minister in the city. of New
York. Chester Arthur received !,
good common school education in
Vermont, and at the age of fifteen en-
tered Union college at Schenectady
and graduated with hOnors in 1S49.
As !, student he worked hard and sup
ported himself most of the time by
teaching. After he graduated he was
for some time principal of the Pow
nal academy. During his pedagogi-
cal career he applied himself most
diligently to the study of law. He
was economical in living and soon
saved few hundred dollars. With
this he went to New York and entered
the office of cx-Judge E. d. Culver,
and was soon admitted to the bar. He
formed law partnership with H. d.
Gardiner, and after time the two
went west to look up a location.
Finding nothing suitable they return
ed to New York and built up prac-
tice.
Early in Mr.. Arthur's professional
career he married daughter of Lieut.
Herndon. Of the United States navy,
who went down AZ sea On one of the
United States naval vessels.
Mr.. Arthur was brought into prom
inence rs an attorney in 1852 1t was
then that & Shareholder. J. Lemmons,
IN transferring eight slaves to Texas.
had them on board vessel in New
York harbor. While there a writ of
habeas corpus was served and the
slaves taken from the vessel. The
case was tried in ;he courts of New
York and was finally carried to the
United States court, where William Vi.
Evarts and Chester \. Arthur appear
ed for the slaves and won the case
In lS56 Arthur gained the everlasting
gratitude of the colored people by
taking up the suit of Lizzie Jennings
Il colored. girl, WHO after having paid
her fale was elected from a street car
ia New York He wen the case and
secured damages in the sum of $500.
1t is to this sui. the abroeation of the
rule forbidding coiored people equal
privileges with whites on street cars
is due.
Although successful attorney.
Nj. Arthur took 4 great interest in
politics ana was strong Berry Clay
Viii. He was 4 delegate 10 the Sar-
atoga convent, n at tie tine the Re
publican party was founded. Arthur
h Id several important positions dur
ing the war and was quartermaster
general of New York until 1868. He
made an excellent officer and left his
posi- ion poorer than when he received
the appointment, altho ugh he had
many chances of making vast sums
of money which many men would
have considered legitimate In 1852
the northern governors held secret
meeting to discuss and provide means
for carrying on the war and Chester
A. Arthur was the only man who was
not governor who was invited TO be