The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-12-24
Special New York Letter.


Btelnway.
Special New York Letter.
Tho sickness and death of Col. John
r. Fellows came unexpectedly to the
public. He was a vigorous looking
man always. first saw the Colonel,
shortly after the close of the war, in
the city Court House, arguing case
before one of the judges. l was struck
ut the time by his remarkable COM
mand Of language and lucid statement,
and his graceful style Of speaking, and
INQUIRED who he was. No one who
once saw that massive head ever for
got it. 1t was the beginning Of his ca
reer in this city, which, now that 1t is
closed can be truly said to have been
brilliant and eminently successful, al
though marked by the erratic and YER
satile nature of the man.
John r. Fellows had a romantic and
unique career. Though widely believed
to be a Southerner, he was born at
Troy, N. Y, July 29 1882. When he
was Is years of age, an uncle living
at Camden, Ark, induced him to MI
crate to that State. He studied law in
the office of Judge Abner A. Stith, and
Hfterward formed a partnership with
Walter A. Bragg. When the war broke
out, Fellows impulsive nature led him
to enlist in the Confederate cause, in
the First Arkansas regiment. He
fought in several engagements under
Beauregard and Albert Sidney john
son, and was promoted to colonelcy,
and assigned to duty on the staff OF
Gen. w. N. II. Bedle. He was in Port
Hudson when besieged by Banks, and
when the fall of Vicksburg rendered
capitulation necessary, he was assigned
to bear the flag of truce to Gen. Banks
offering terms of surrender. He was
abterward confined in the military pris-
on on Johnson's Island, Lake Erie.
Here he was kept until the spring OF
1865, when he was conveyed to Fort
McHenry, Baltimore. All attempts to
resume exchange of prisoners failed,
however, and the close of the war
found the Colonel at Fort Delaware,
where he was granted his release.
He returned to Camden, Ark, was
elected to the State Senate, and began
his political career. In the campaign
of 1868, his eloquence attracted the at
tention of HoratiO Seymour, and at his
suggestion Fellows was put on the
stump, where he made a great hit.
Seymour induced him to come to New
York, where he was taken into the bos-
ON of the Democracy, as it were, and
was in turn the favOrite of Tammany
or the County Democracy, as his versa
tile inclinations led him to choose. He
was Assistant-DistriCt Attorney under
Garvin, McKeon and MARITIME, and in
1887 was nominated and elected Dis
trict Attorney. He afterward went to
Congress as Member of Tammany
Hall, and returned to this city to be
again elected District Attorney.
No one will question Fellows excep-
tional ability as lawyer and advocate.
Charges were made against him in the
reform campaign Of 1895 of neglect OF
duty, but Governor Morton, after a
careful consideration OF the specifca-
tions. dismissed them.
Col. Fellows shone as political ora
tor and after-dinner speaker. His
style was graceful and persuasive, his
voice musical, his diCtion excellent.
When around, he was combative and
eloquent, and most dangerous antag
onist for any man to meet. The charm
of his eloquence, in his best words, was
very pronounced. 1t captured all who
heard him. He was equally charming
as a social companion.
His death was caused by fibroid tu-
NOR of the stomach, which had been
growing for several years, finally in
ducing acute gastritis. He showed the
utmost GOODNESS and resignation in the
presence of the grim messenger. His
only anxiety at the last was to see his
son Jack" who was hurrying from