Evening journal., 1895-07-20
LIFE IS EBBING AWAY.
Physicians Think There is
Now No Hope for Mr.. Herbert.
RELATIVES HAVE BEEN SENT FOR

worse last night that his relatives were
sent for. He has been out OF his
mind nesrly every night for the greater
part Of the week. bat the physicians in
attendancs had hope uutll last night,
when Dr.. Black said that his life was
apparently ebbing away. Mr. Herbert,
with his usual psrsistence and deter
mination, has made hard fight for life
Even his closest friends admitted this
morning that death was near at hand
at l o'clock this afternoon he is stlll
unconscious and apparently sinking
Mr. Herbsrt's life has been one Of the
busiest and most remarkable ia the
country. His elevation to positions Of
prominence by the people of this town,
county and state and his rise TO fortune
were gradual but continuous.
A Remarkable Career.
William Herbert was born ia Philad 81
phis, July Q, 1929, his parents being
John and Elizs Herbert. With them In
early childhood he came to New Castle
where his father engaged in fishing
and was dro wned In the Delaware off
this city on June 1, 1910.
Started Life with borrowed Quarter.
Thus, with William less than II years
old the widow was left with two
daughters and two sons William
borrowed 20 cents and began selling the
Philsds ohia Ledger being ths first boy 10
sell newspaper on the streets OF New
Castle. Day and night he struggled
from that time on to keep the wolf from
the door Of his beloved home.
Tba LATE IOhn M Clavtonfa Rffautios,
was attracted to this plucky boy aud the
eminent barrister offered to educate
him for the law. The boy apologetically
refused and turned again to his de-
pendent family When IA years old he
| apprenticed himself to the old locomotive
| ffm, of which the late Andrew @. Grav was
president and known as the New Castle
Manufacturing Company.
Owned a House at Twenty -oBe.
He borrowed money and bought his
mother home which he had paid for at
the expiration Of his apprenticeship. He
had also become an expert mechanic and
| put the engine In the first hoop boat
built for the California trade, which so
| pleased the captain that he tried to
engage young Herbert for engineer but
his apprenticeship had not yet expired
When a man be engaged IL the grocery
business on Front street and soon be
came prosperous merchant In 1866,
after an active and exciting campaign,
he WAS triumphantly elected the first
Democratic sheriff that New Castle
county had for ten years.
He At once became popular with all
good citizens, and among the many
notable events of his administration was
his prevention of the famous Coliyer-
Kelley prize fight In 1867. The sports
had pitched a ring about a mile from
Newark and everything was in readiness,
when the fearless sheriff steppsd into
the ring and compelled them 10 dlsperse.
in the face Of murderous threats.
Made a Record as sberiR.
During his administration as sheriff
367 prisoner we're entrusted to his care
and not one escaped, though little help
was then provided by the county and the
/ all was IN far worse condition then than
now. HIS services were so appreciated
that his successor. Jacob Richardson,
induced hin to remain in the Office
another term ss his deputy.
Always Worked for Democracy.
From the time he was able to make a
political selection, Mr.. Herbert has been
Il FAtAbutiy hCttNc IL bno DbmtCfhLlt
party He FIRST became ,ccllector of taxes
for New Castle hundred. For thirty
years he was member Of City Council
and many times its president. Nearly al
OF his life, since reaching manhood, b.
has been active in the New Castle Board
OF Education, entering It when it wa
ths plain school board
On May IA. 1859, he WAS elected 3
trustee OF New Castle Common of which
he served Rs treasurer for twenty years
e In 1875 he was elected by the Levy Court
as treasurer or New Castle county anl
served by successive reflections unit
after he Was chosen treasurer Of thu
State of Delaware by the Legislature
January 20, 1887 He served as stat,
treasurer until March. 1891
He has attended every Democratic
state convention for forty years and wsi
leading worker at the National Demo
cratic Convention ia 1884 at Cincinnati
. in the interest Of Hon Thomas r Bay.
ard for President.
Came Near Being Delsware's Governor.
I Mr. Herbert was brought out, sgaius
: his will, In 1886. as q candidate for gov
! | ernor and In the state convention re-
ceived seventy votes against 100 TO
S Benz amin T. Bggs.
!, Did Nuch In His Native Town.
= As citizen Mr.. Herbert was alway
z at the head Of movement for the publ
good. He was the life of the comniste
which built the New Castle Opera Hous
i and he stood by the builders day AM
}. night, to SEQ that there wa
Z not flaw Ia the building
: He also helped to establish th
| New Castle Water Works Company, c
!. which he IL a member Twice did he saw
the colored NJ. f. churches in the city froI
2 the hands Of the sheriff He was secretsr
2 OF the Tasker Loan Association an
d retary and treasurer Of the old Ne
u Castle Loan Association.
Ii For forty years he has bsen a membe
4, Of Washington Lodge. No. 8, l o. o. f
\ and was its secretary for thirty-on
7, years of the sixty years
II its existence. He has been
n representative to the Grand Lodge
Delaware. and has attended the Sove
Il eign Grand Lodge Of the United State
He has long been a member OF st. John
IL Lodge, A f A M, Eni was sever
years its treasurer.