New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-05
SUNDAY EDITION.
AUGUST s, 1888.
SUICIDE OF JUDGE THAYER.
CUTTING HIS THROAT WITH A RAZOR
HIS PROMINENCE IN THE ANrIsLAvERY CON

HIS PROMINENCE IN THE ANTIsLAvERY CoNs
TEST AND IN THE WAR.
Worcester. Aug. 4 CspeciaD.-AdIn rhayer. Judes
Of Probate OF Worcester county. committed suicide
by cutting his throat this morning. He was on tho
eve Of departure for Halifax a pleasure trip, and
was dressing preparatory TO the start when he took
HIS own life, using the with which he was shaw
ing. He was in his slxtieth year Born In
Blackstone, in this county, where his father was .
strong antislavery worker and talker Judge Thsyer
early became interested in the cause and threw him
self into the conflict with all the energy and enthu-
siasm which comes from splendid physical develop
mcnt and thoroughly trained mind qualities. He
came TO this city when young man. and at once be-
came a prominent figure here and grew into stats
and National prominence as a co-workcr with Phil
lips, Garrison, Sumner, Wilson, Andrew Allen. Foster,
Hoar, Baldwin and others In the anti-sayery cause
He Of thorough convictions, clear ard
cogent reasoner close thinker and thorough
ganizer. II in the organization Of the forces
which assisted in the overthrow Of slavery and the
elevation Of the Republican party TO power thn
Judge Thayer did his most effective work He was
a thorough believer in the principles Of the Repub-
lcan party, and fully approaching the value Of
plete and compact organization. threw his whois
energy into that work. The party has had few orr
ganizers Of his ability, which most conspIcuously
shown in the part he took in the election Of Charles
Sumner, Henry Wilson and George F. Hoar to tho
United States Senate and in the great campaign IN
this state In 1873, when came the memorable ccn-
test over the Greenback issue between
Thomas Talbot and General Butler. the
former winning by $4,000 majority. judge
Thaycr was an uncompOmsing opponent a stead-
fast friend. He dealt telling blows without males
and received them, firm IN the belief that they werc
given in the spirit In which he struck at his opponents
That his motives pure and honorable was never
questioned even by HIS antagonists, and among his
strongest personal friends of his bitter
political opponents
He was a Of tremendous physical energy,
working many hours without apparent fatigue, loving
the excitement Of politics, enjoying the companions
ship of friends, and with a keen appreciation of the
humorous which lightened many a bitter campaign.
lie was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue by
President Lincoln, served term in the State Senate
and made Judge of Probate by Governor Rico,
the appoin tment being unsolicited and unexpected
In the Republican party he has been the most con-
spicuous figure in Central Massachusetts,, and with
Treasurer Beard has enjoyed for years the dis
tinction Of being the most influential of any In tho
cal and mental troubles coming together. Travel and
rest, however, were thought 10 have made a man
Of him, but within the last three onths his condition
has excited alarm among HIS immediate friends. IL
was feared that his reason would be overthrow, and
al the advice of friends he 10 start to-day for
tour In the provinces with his sOD student at Har-
ward. He leaves wife and enc