The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-02-08
R. STOCKETT MATHEWS
DIES SUDDENLY In A STREET GAR.
Heart Disease the Cause-One of Baiii-
more's Ablest Lawy ers and Most Brilliant
Orators Gone.

r. Stockett Mathews, jurist, orator,
iterateur and politician, a Baltimorean
whose fame had spread beyond the
of his state, ard whose name
has been familiar one to thousands of
his fellow citizens, died suddenly in a
Frick Line street car on Saturday last in
Baltimore at 5 10 o'clock. Heart failure
was the cause.
MIR. Mathews general hath had been
excellent. His only weak point seemed
to be his heart. His physician, DIR. Ed
ward S. Conlyu, had warned him to be
careful, not to over exert him and if pos
sible to avoid running. He bad even ad
vised Mr.. Mathews against smoking and
for some time past the counsel OF the
physician was adopted as his rule.
On Saturday morning Mr. MaIhews left
his home, 929 North Charles street, in
excellent spirits. He went to his office
on North Calvert street and engaged in
the details of his profession until 3
O'Clock; then be went home and dined
heartily with Mrs. Mathews and his
brother in law, Isaac BROOKS, Jr.
About 80 o'clock Mr.. Brooks left Mr..
Mathews. who was still at the dinner
table, and started for the Provident Saw
ings Bank, at the northeast corner of
Howard aud Franklin streets, being di-
rector of that institution. Mr.. Mathews
very soon after remarked that he thought
he would go out and take stroll. He
put on light overcoat and soft hat.
Ho turned up Eager street to Park ave-
nue., it is Thought, and, crossing that
street, continued up Richmond street.
He probably walked through the market
and watched the crowd. There he board
ed Linden Avenue Car No. %, bound
down town and driven by Tom Cronin
The car was well filled, but nobody
seemed to have recognized or known Mr..
Mathews.
The car was about passing the Johns
Hopkins University when Mr., M ,th"ws
gasped, placed his hand on his heart and
fell over. The passengers cleared one of
the seats and laid him on his back, while
the car moved on to Franklin street.
Officer Murray and half a dozen pas
sengers carried Mr.. Matthews, who was
in al probability already dead, into the
store of Rinehart, Chiids & Co., flour
merchants, at the southwest corner.
SKETCH OF THE DECEASED.
r. Stockett Mathews was born in Bal,
timore, on July 4, 1925, and was the de-
scendant of old Maryland families. His
father, John Sterrett Mathews, was son
of DR.. William Mathews, an Irish gen
tleman of distinction, who came to the
United States at the close of the last
century and settled in Philadelphia,
wqeTe he married Miss Ann Penrose.
He was educated at Rock Hill College,
and in 1S45 commended the study of law
in the office OF S. Teackle Wallis, one OF
the most brilliant members of the Balbi-
more bar. Mr.. Matthews soon after made
visit to South America and the Pacific
islands, from whence he returned in 1851
after an absence OF four years. Resum
ing his studies, he Was admitted to the
bar in 1854, and entered upon brilliant
professional career, which was distin.
guished by sharp legal acumen, untiring
indus try and strong practical sense.
Mr.. Mathews was possessed of strong
anti-slavery convictions and was an ar
dent supporter of the Union in the trying
times and long pending controversy
which eliminated in the secession of the
Southern States, the establishment of the
Confederacy and the Civil War. In 1861
he was elected m9mber of the House OF
Delegates, and even among the many
able men which it contained be was rec
ognized as a loader. In view of the
mighty issues which were involved, and
the many pefils with VIII ich the state was
beset on all quarters, the opponents OF
secession We're forced to send their best
and strongest men To the Legislature, so
that among his many dItinguished col
leagues in the House there we're such
men as Reverdy johnson. Thomas S
Alexander, Thomas Donaldson, Judge
Hammond, General Cole and John A J
Creswell
Mr. Mathews whole professional and
I fficlal career was chan acterizod by the
most scrupulous integrity and highmind
eduess, aud he ranked as one OF the most
active, energetic aud successful law ers
of Baltimore. His culture and talen, 8
gave him social influence as well as pro
fessiouh eminence, and his name is
placed in the front ranks of the men
whose views and actions impress their
fellow citizens ard give direction To the
prevailing currents of thought which
molds public opinion. His reput alton for
cogent reasoning and persuasive elO-
quence was not limited to his own state,
but extended far hey ond its borders.
During exciting political compaigus inyi
tations were frequently extended to him
to address large assemblages in the Mid
die and New England States and wher-
ever he went he evoked the greatest en-
thusiasm by his forensic abilities.
Mr.. Matthews was married On January
6, 1865, to Rachel Hough, eldest daugh-
ter OF John Brooks, a member of the So
ciety OF Friends.
He leaves one child, daughter, Mrs.
Seth III. Whiteley.