New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-27
DYING on THE BENCH.
DRAMATIC END OF JUDGE KNAPP'S LIFE
HE EXPIRES WHILE CHARGING THE HUDSON
COUNTY, Y. J., GRAND JURY.

COUNTY, Y. j., GRAND JJlH'
Associate Justice Manning VI. Knapp, of the
supreme Court of Ncw-Jerscy, died yesterday on
the bench in Jersey City while delivering
charge TO the Grand Jury of Hudson county
His death was dramatic He had sent for the
Grand Jury and had in strong terms denounced
that body for its failure 20 do its duty, saving that
by such failure it had permitted the suspicion 10
90 abroad that the Grand Jury protected criminal
violations of the law, and that the courts were
involved in the imputation. Just as he hnlslen
an imprisoned appeal 10 the Grand Jury to do
its duty he gaspcd for breath and fell back In
his chair unconscious
The twcnty-thrcc Grand Jurors arranged In
scmi-crcc looked aghaSt at the dying Judge, thc
count officers seemed dazcd, and the dozen lawyers
in the room seemed unable to move. FIRST 10
recover presence of mind was the court stenegra-
pher John Nuccnt, for a score of years judge
Knapp's close friend. lie hastily assembled To the
bench and placed glass of water To the dying
mans lips. Then he told the court officers 10
run for DOCTOR and twenty messengers started
in rs many directions.
judges Lippincott and Paxton. who had been
in chambers at this iuncturc came 70 Judge knappf
assistance. and aided 10y Di,trct-Attorncy Win
field they carried the Jude t a lounge in chambers
and Laid him down dead DrS Rhodes and Noble
soon aftcrward arrived but their services were of
no use They said a blood vessel had burst in the
brain and caused death. Judge Lippncott an
nounccd to the Grand Jury the death of the Judge.
and the members ,ithdrcw and adjourned subject
10 the call Of the foreman. Judge Lippincott next
dismissed the pctir jury and court officers ana
adjourned court until next Monday
AS soon as Ex-Governor Joseph ID. Brdc heard
the news lie hastcncd 10 the Court House lie
appointed judge Knapp Ia the bench III $50
Flavcl McGcc, cN-Mayor Gilbert Collins CharleS
H. Thompson and Assistant Prosecutor Joseph
NJ Noonan were soon in attendance ana expressed
their grief for the dead Judge was personal frlehd
10 each The body was taken Ia llackcnsack on
the $ 40 D. IN. train. With the body went Judge
Iippincott Judge Paxton. Prosecutor Winfield, eN-
Governor Icdlc John Nugent and +. +. e. Young.
Manning NJ Knapp was born in Bcrgcn County.
v j in 1923 and he was graduated from Rutgers
COLLEGE He was admitted 10 the bar In lN4o
and four years a'cT commissioned Counsellor.
He rapidly acquired fame IN "A learned lawyer ana
his knowledge Of criminal law was so extensive
that he was in all important capital cases ASSIGNED
bv the court 10 assist in the prosecution. When
Judge E1dle was elected Governor hr appointed
the lawyer his successor on the bench, in 1873.
Judcc Knapp was rcappointcd by Governor Ludlow
in lss2. and was for third time appointed In
1889 by Governor Green. On January - ne
celebrated the seventeenth anniversary OF biz
appontncnt as a Supreme Court Judge.
The dead man was "A Democrat in politics. but
he was never "A politician, and never sought or
held any elective Office. He was one Of the mos,
expcrt Judges Of lenses for astronomical instru-
mcnts in the country. Early in lie lie developed
a love for the study of astronomy. bat 80 fic-
ouentlv found lenses that did not suit him that
he made them for his own u~c. At his home IN
lIackcnsacll H. "A most complete workshop for Inc
manufacture Of lenses. He never sold any. but
he frequently presented them 10 scientific s"cic-
ties lie was for years n close correspondent OF
Alvan Clark d Sons. the celebrated telescope
lens, makers. and hi- Judgment Of the quality OF
a lens was considered almost invaluable.
\ widow, who j. invalid, and a son, Joseph
NJ Knapp. and daughter survive him. The
daughter il married 10 Walter '. Clark. Of Hack
cnsack and She and her husband ar" now on the
ocean on their way 10 Italy. for the benefit ol
Mrs Clark's health. Although judge Knapp had
been Il large practitioner and for seventeen years
had received the large income attached 10 his
mdcial Office hc leaves but small fortune.
His charities were greet and many. Ills widow.
who is a daughter of Commodore Madison or
Woodbridge y. j., has an ample fortune IN her
own right.
The Bar Association Of Hudson County was To
have given its annual dinner Tonight, but ~
soon as the death of Judge Knapp was made
known the dinner wao postponed indefinitely