The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-25
JUDGE WIN. STRONG.
"reminiscences Of the Famous
American Jurist.
He Was tho Most Famous Presbyter-
ian Layman In tho United States
Great Presiding Ofncer.

When the late William Strong. VINO died
at Lake Minnewaska, y. Y, last Monday.
was appointed associate justice of the SUI
preme court by President Grant in 1870.
he wrote to the president: You have
done me a great service. I shall ever
gratefully remember your kindness.
seat in the supreme court OF the United
States would satisfy all my ambitions ex-
cept to perform it's duties WELL" He was
then O. years old. and remained on the
bench ten years. This service in the high
est tribunal of the nation was a fitting fin
ish TO an honorable and useful career. In
huenced by his dread of mental failure,
which he would be the last to realize. and
feeling that he would rather his associates
would say, why does he resign" instead
or why doesn't he resign?' Judge Strong
retired ten years later, n full mental and
physical health He was fhereupon Of
fered a position In one of the most promi-
nent legal firms in New York. but refused.
feeling that after busy life he had now
resting spell. which he devoted to noble
uses. After his retirement he continued
to live in Washington City.
His grandfather, who bore the name OF
Adoni1ah. was a commissary general in
the Revolutionary war. His father was a
Presbyterian clergyman. Judge Strong
was one of good old-fashioned family of
eleven children. five of whom are still liv-
ing, three over 20 and two over so years
old.
Save his venerable appearance and a 4
slight deafness the judge carried none of
the marks of age about him. His remark
able health and vitality were doubtless
owing TO his lifelong habit of living much
out of doors and his fondness for open air
sports. Stories of his great physical
strength, his prowess at football and his
wonderful feats OF swimming are still cur
rent at Yale. Once he swan across New
Haven harbor and back again. and did
other remarkable things in the water
which are to this day talked about Years
afterward, while at Cape May at great
personal risk and by the exertion Of al
most superhuman strength, Judge Strong
succeeded in saving two men-one of them
his brother-from drowning, so that his
college training was of unreasonable
value. 1t was only within the past few
years that he had given up horseback
riding. Formerly 1t was one of his great
est pleasures, and his figure was a FAM
liar one on the country roads. He expe-
rienced. however, two greivous accidents,
and was at last persuaded to take mis- ex-
ercise in safer way
Judge Strong was always a keen sports
man. He shot ducks on the Potomac and
fished for salmon in Canada, but his ex-
treme age compelled him to give up these
pleasures, although not his keen interest
In them. In fact, Judge Strong had
keen interest in everything: in all the
cially In religious affairs. His activity in
religious work was undated lie was
the most prominent Presbyterian layman
in the United States. He had been for
years president of the American Tract
Association and of the American Sunday
School Union and to him more than TO
any one else the Church of the Covenant,
the largest and most popular Presbyter-
ian church in the fashionable part of
Washington City, in which Mr.. Blaine
worshipped and from which he was bur-
led, owes it's existence and present thriv-
ing condition.
There is story told of Judge Strong's
boyhood which shows that from the be-
ginning his mind had legal bent. Young
Strong, II seems, purloined piece of cake
from the table spread for some festival
occasion. No one discovered 1t until the
family and guests were seated at table.
and then nothing was said. When every
one had gone and the father was alone
with the youthful epicure he said to him:
Don't you know. my son. that In TAX
ing that cake you broke one of Gods
commandments?
"'Quest.on ST." responded the boy.
who had the catechism at his tongues
end. is any man able perfectly to keep
the Commandments of God?'
ANSWER So. No mere man since the
fall is able in this life perfectly 10 keep
the Commandments OF God. but doth daily
break them in thought. word and deed
Judge Strong was a remarkable presid-
ing officer. No one equaled his grace in
making presentations. or his ability in
getting the best from every one. and of
drawing them out. An old friend once
said of him: He is the most consistent
and conservative of men, cautious and
painstaking. OF deliberate and sound 1udg-
ment AZ opinion once formed. he is firm
and unalterable; for this tenacity he has
been accused Of stubbornness. but II is a
small way OF looking at the man"
Twice Judge Strong refused cabinet
places. Gen. Grant was most earnest in
his desire TO have him accept the place OF
attorney general, and President Hayes Of
fered him the naval portfolio.
Judge Strong lived with his two daugh-
tiers in a oid-fashioned house in II street
near Fourteenth. Washington City. The
exterior ia simple and unpretentious. but
the interior is handsome and most agree
ably arranged A wide hall separates the
long drawing room one side from the
cosey living rooms and dining room on the
other. The rooms are large and ample.
and their adoTument shows n refined and
discriminating taste. Sunlight pours in
from every side. open fires glow in the
CRATES and through the whole house there
is genteel and hospitable atmosphere.
The venerable Judge spent most of his
time in the sunny library. Here he read
and wrote and played an occasional game
of solitaire, or chatted with some old
friend who dropped in upon him. His one
dissipa ton was whist, and once in great
while he attended q tea or some other So
cial function. on fine days he went for
A hong walk or when the weather was
not very inviting for drive. His slen-
der figure and kindly. genial face were in
FREQUENT evidence in the street.
In the summer Judge Strong and his
daughters went 10 Lake Mnnewaska in
the Shavangunk mountains. The hotel
was kept by Mr.. Smiley. one OF the fam
Gus Quaker brothers. whose work among
the Indians has given them a national
reputation. Here Judge Strong was able
10 indulge his penchant for outdoor life.
Before breakfast he was ont. alpenstock
in hand and went for two-mile walk,
climbing with an agility his grandchildren
might envy the steep and rocky paths.
Every possible moment was spent out Of
doors in the woods. els love OF nature
and OF little children were marked char
acteristics Of this lovable old gentleman.
so brilliant in mind, 50 simple in heart and
life.