Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-22
JUSTICE MATTHEWS DEAD.


JOSIlCE MATTHEW'S DEAD.
The Distinguished Jurist Passes Away
After q Long Illness.
THE DEATH SOMEWHAT UNExPEcTEp-AN W.
FAVORABLE CHANGE IN HIS CONDITION LAST
EVENING, WHICH RESULTED FATALLY-AR-
RxSaEMESTs FOB THE FUNERAL.
A flowing piece of black Grape was attached
to the door-knob Of the residence of Justice
Stanley Matthews, corner of Connecticut ave-
nue. and N street, little after 10 o'clock this
morning. This sable emblem announced the
death Of the distinguished owner Of the man
sion, and the news. which was somewhat un-
expected, was quickly carried through the CITY,
Though Justice Matthews had been in failing
health for over year and at times during that
period in a dangerous condition, his friends
continued to entertain strong hopes of his re-
covery. Yesterday afternoon about 3 o'clock
there was change in his condition for the
worse. and he began to sink rapidly. His
physician. DIR. W. w. Johnston, remained with
him during the night. The sufferings of the
dying man were extreme, and opiates were adj
mlnlstered to relieve him. This morning
he was unconscious, and he remained in
that condition until his death. which occurred
at five minutes past ten o'clock. All of the
members OF his family were present in the
death chamber, except his married daughter
who resides in Cincinnati, and his eldest son,
MIR. Mortimer Matthews. Mrs. Matthews, the
two unmarried daughters of the Justice his
son, Mr.. Paul Matthews, and his brother, Mr..
q. Il. Matthews, of Cincinnati, were witnesses
OF the final sad scene. Soon after the death
became known outside the house the coupe of
Mr.. Justice Gray, whose engagement to Miss
Jennie Matthews announced only on
Wednesday, drove up to the house, and the JUS
tee entering, spent some time with the family.
so hopeful was Justice Matthews and members
OF his family of his continued life, if not alb
soute recovery that it is stated when the engage
ment was made no fear was entertained of SO sad
an interruption Of the plans of the family. Call
ers at the house to-day were received by Mr.. Paul
Matthews. who was busted with arrangements
made necessary by his fathers death. The de-
tails for the funeral had not been settled to-
day. 1t was only known that the remains will
be taken to the country home of the family at
Glendale, near Cincinnati. and be buried in the
family lot in Spring Grove cemetery Cincin-
natl Services will be held at the house here
before the remains are taken away.
JUSTICE MATTHEWS ILLNESS
Mr.. Justice Matthews form was a familiar
one on the streets of Washington. When the
weather was pleasant it was customary with
him to walk to and from the capitol. and he
generally could be seen on Pennsylvania avenue
after the adjournment of the Supreme Court
IN company with one of his colleagues. His
large, well-proportioned, commanding figure
and well-balanced head, with its silvered hair
and beard, made him a striking parsonage
Until he was compelled by illness to give up
his work on the bench one would have mag
med from his robust appearance and fine color
that he had many years of life before him.
He was compelled to leave the bench over
year ago. Last summer he spent in
search of health at Lenox and Martha's Vine
yard, but he returned to this city in the fall
without showing any signs of improvement.
Indeed. he had lost SO much flesh and had SO
much the appearance of an invalid, that his
friends were seriously alarmed. Since then he
has been confined to his home, but he showed,
at times. such marked improvement under Dr.
Johnstons treatment that his friends gained
hope, and ventured to be hopeful until yester-
day. This was due, in a large measure, to JUS
tlce Matthews own cheerful nature and hope
1ul view OF his own case.
HISTORY OF THE CASE.
1t would be impossible to describe Justice
Matthews illness in word The history of
the case as given by DR.. Johnston to STAR re-
porter to-day is substantially as follows: Justice
Matthews has been ill a little more than wear.
His disease has been chronic one. beginning
with indigestion and diarrhea, followed by
rheumatic attacks which were extremely ex-
hausting and caused him to lose a great deal of
flesh and strength. Upon his return to Wash
ington after being away for the summer dur
ing which time he did not gain in health
he showed Improvement especially in re-
gard to his digestion, but continued to
have attacks of rheumatism accompanied
by high fever that taxed his strength
heavily. These attacks of rheumatism
required at intervals of about three or
four weeks and between them he had good
appetite and good digestion. and gained in
strength, so as to be able to rise from his bed
and move about his room. Hopes were enter
tanned during greater portion of the time that
he would improve steadily and recover, as he
had no necessarily fatal disease. But compli-
cations arose, no one of which was serious in
itself. but the aggregation of them resulted in
greatly reducing his strength. Toward the end
of February and in March he suffered from
various local complications, among the princ-
pal of which was a very feeble heart About
the 4th of March he began to suffer from at
tacks of high fever, which were more exhaust
ing than any he had ever had before. The
immediate cause of his death was exhaustion
of the heart, accompanied by acute congestion
OF the kidneys and with suppression of urine.
The chamber in which Justice Matthews
breathed his last. and which has been his world
since last September, is on the east side of the
second story of the elegant mansion. occupied
by him for several years, on the corner of Con-
necticut avenue and street, Just opposite the
British legation residence. The tightly drawn
blinds along the entire avenue front this morn
ing afforded the first indication to neighbors
and passerS-by that all was not as usual within.
Only yesterday morning Justit Matthews
was discussing, with his family. various plans
for the future, when he should be able, as in the
past, to take part in their execution. But at
no time, since his return to Washington. said
one of the family this morning. have really
felt that there was hope of his recovery"
THE FUNERAL.
The arrangements for the funeral were still
undecided this afternoon. 1t was understood.
however, that the services here would be held
Monday, probably at l o'clock The details
will not be perfected until the arrival OF the
dead jurist's Oldest son, Mr.. Mortimer Mat
thews, lawyer of Cincinnati, and his youngest
daughter Grace, wife of Horace Cleveland,
assistant United States district-attorney at
Cincinnati, and nephew of Justice Harlan.
As A CHURCH MEMBER.
Justice Matthews was member of the Pres
byteran church, and at his home in Ohio was
an elder of the church. Upon coming to this
city he first attended the New York avenue
church. but when the Church of
the Covenant was established on Connecticut
avenue, nearly opposite his residence, he
transferred his membership to that church and
hos been one of the most liberal contributors