New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-26
OBITUARY.
HENRY KIDDTr

~
sprituasm In this country, and connected for moro
than forty years with the public school system OF New
York died az his home. No. East Onehundred-and
thireth-st.. on Thursday night The Immediate cause
Of his death was paralysis. For more than year
Mr. Kddle had not enjoyed the best Of health About
eighteen months ago his eyes began to trouble him
and for year he had been almost blind. He was I'M
able to walk alone any distance, and when at meals
his wife was obliged 10 feed him. Despite his help
lessness however he continued TO work with the aid
Of members OF his family, and was busy until within
q few days OF his death.
The dead man was born in England about seventy
years ago, and TO this city with his parents
when a mere Ind. He entered the public schools Of
New York soon after his arrival and was graduated
at the end Of his course lie then became pupil on
the Saturday Normal School, the forerunner OF the
present Normal College. In those days the name
indicates the school met only the seventh day OF
week. Experienced teachers gave instruction to
young and women DESTROYS Of becoming tutors in
the schools of the city. Young Riddle was Of a
studous nature, and devoted himself with zeal
to the realization OF his ambition. when
not more than boy he was appointed
to the place of monitor assistant teacher who also
acted In certain as 1anltor
In 1888, however Mr.. Kiddle rewarded with
appointment as teacher, and in 1s40 became prin-
cipa of Grammar school No. 3 ut that time in Henry
st. The school under the new law establish
May o. 1856, no became Assistant superintendent OF
Public Schools, S. S. Randall being then sup,rnend
ent. lilo acted in that capacity until 1870, when
he succeeded Mr.. Randall superintendent He re-
taned that place to the great satisfaction OF tho
citizens, and to the credit and good Of the public
schools, until 1872 when his resignation was accepted
the result OF unexpected events.
According to his statements, he became in
efested in spirituasm in 1873 through the influence
of his daughter Mrs. L. F. Wessmann, who had sud
denly become medium for the writing OF c0mmuDi-
cations from departed spirits" His conversion, how
ever, did not become generally known until May %,
1870, when he published book Of $50 pages bearing
the title spiritual Communications Presenting Rev
citation OF the Future Life, and Illustrating and Con
frming the Fundamental Doctrines of the Christian
Fath' II contained communications purporting to
be from the dead from Moses to James Fisk IT., and
including many from Shakespeare Byron, Washington,
BRYANT and Boss" Tweed.
In the preface OF the book Mr. Riddle said, among
other things "Ths book contains the record of one Of
the most extraordinary experiences vouclsaed to
man. Marvellous it win appear, the whole has been
the work of about nine months, during which time, tho
editor has been placed in direct communication
with so large number of spirit ntelligenCes-with
so wide range Of graduation-that he ca" present
this record of which he is only the humble editor
with great confidence a revelation of the future
destiny Of mankind, of transcendent Importance to
them both here and hereafter. The editor. like
the medium, has been to extent passive in
strument in this matter Not single communication
has been received which was not written through
the medlrnship of the editors daughter Most
Of them were written in his presence,
and he therefore knows that they not
the offspring Of imposture delusion. They
como from the world of spirits. This is soemnly at
tested as a fact undeniablc and irrcfutab!e.
The editor may, by the publication of this book,
- - ,bO-a
he has hitherto possessed and priced lie may, by
some be charged with folly In entering upon path
yet generally summed by the respectable or fashion
able and thus impcling his earthly Interests. lie
not moved by these considerations feeling confident
that Truth is mighty and will prevail and that the
unpopular doctrine Of to-day is often hailed with
paudts the morrow"
Mr.. Kidde proved to be at least a
prophet regarding the effect Of his book
upon his friends AS was natural to expect.
such book, coming from a respected, and
tho occupant of such a responsible place, created a
sensation 1t the talk of the town and the coun
try, and later even of parts of Europe. The papers
full of II and Of the doings OF its author. The
members Of the Board of Education, in to the
public outcry and in consideration Of the interests of
the school children, ntmated to My. Riddle that his
days Of usefulness superintendent were at an end
The feeling became so Strong against him that he
resigned his position on May %, and thus avoided
public discussion of his views lie gave reason for
his resignation that he wished 10 devote his time 80
other pursuits Ills resignation accepted the
following September when his successor John Jasper,
was appointed Resolutions adopted at the time
expressive appreciation OF his excellent services in
tire cause OF education and regret at the severance
OF his connection with the schools.
Since those days Mr. Kldde has continued faithful
to the beliefs expressed In his book lie has acted as
president Of the Society Of sprualists and delivered
the Grafton at the dedication Of the splrltnalstS
temple "A few years ago in Boston, lie Is the author
OF number OF standard school books, including Kid
dies Elementary Physics" Outlines of Astronomy
Browns Grammar" and q series of readers used in
the schools and the Cyclopaedia of Education,"
work which earned him French decoration and the
favorable criticism Of scholars and educators OF late
years he has acted as reviewer Of school books for
various Publishing houses in this city, and writer
of articles for papers and magazines.
Mr. Klddle leaves a wife and FIVE children. The
funeral will be held in accordance with the Spituasc
fashion. The body will be buried next week In Cypress
Hills Cemetery.