Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-03-27
Death of Stanley Matthews Associate JUS
tice of the U. S. Supreme Court.


Justice Matthews died in Washington at
five minutes after 10 O'Clock last Friday
morning, March 22nd. The immediate
cause of his death was exhaustion of the
heart and congestion of the kidneys. He
had been failing for more than year, and
he began to sink rapidly from Thursday
afternoon. His sufferings were extreme.
Ali the members of his family were at his
dying bedside except his married daughter
who lives in Cincinnati, and his Oldest SOD,
Mortimer Matthews. Mrs. Matthews, his
two unmarried daughters, his son Paul and
his brother, G. B. Matthews, of Cincinnati,
were present when he died. Mr.. Justice
Gray, who is engaged to be married to Miss
Jennie Matthews, went to the house shortly
after the sad event. The death of the Jus
lice was duly announced to the Supreme
Court by the Chief Justice, and the tribunal
was adjourned till Tuesday at noon. The
Chief Justice communica ed the fact to the
Senate, which also adjourned out of respect
to his memory. The funeral took place
Monday at one O'Clock in the afternoon.
He was a member of the Presbyterian
Church of the Covenant in Washington.
and It's pastor, Rev. DR.. Hamlin, oficiated
| in the brief ceremonies at the house, after
which the remains were sent by the Balti
more aud Ohio Railroad to Cincinnati. The
pall-bearers were the judges of the Supreme
Il &rufn Iad ND
children were by his first wife. Two years
ago he married Mrs. Thicker, widow of the
late Judge Thicker. He was in comfort
able circumstances, having a considerable
property we'll invested.
Judge Matthews was born in Cincinnati.
July 81, 1894, and was therefore nearly 65
years of age. He was an original abolition
ist and free-soiler, and although member
of the convention in 1879 which first nomi-
mated Horace Greeley for President, with
drew before the nomination and supported
General Grant. He was warm supporter
as we'll as a personal friend Of General
Hayes, and before the electoral commission
rendered efficient service to his friend.
Upon the resignation of Senator Sherman
to become Secretary Of the Treasury, Mr..
Matthews was elected as his successor serv-
ing from 1877 until 1870. Toward the close
of his administration President Hayes sent
the nomination of Stanley Matthews to the
Senate 10 lie an associate justice Of the Sup
| RENE Court of the United Stotes, but the
nomination was not acted upon by that
Congress. It was renewed by President
Garfield on May IL, 1881, and confirmed.
A man of great intellectual force, Justice
Matthews ranked high in the law both as a
practitioner at the bar and as judge on
the bench, 1t is thought that one effect of
his death will be to prolong the special ses-
sion of the Senate.
Among the many messages Of coincidence
sent to Mrs. Matthews was one from Presi.
dent Harrison. in which he Writes as fol.
lows: ''The senssssof loss and bereavement
which you feel will be shared by all our
people. have known Justice Matthews
for many years, and had a very high ap-
probation of his scharacter and learning
| That you may be comforted and sustained
in this hour of trial is my most sincere
prayer"