The sun., 1898-10-08
DEATH OF A. 0AKEY HALL.
TWICE MAYOR OF NEW FORK AND
THREE TIMES DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

LAWYER, Politician, DraulatIst, Actor and
Newspaper Mantle Was in His Seventy
third Year-CnuRht Chill Early THIS
Week and Failed Rapidly-Deauh Sudden.
A. Oakley Hall. formerly Mayor of New York.
died suddenly last evening at 8S Washington
Square South. where he and his wife had apart
ments. His only recent source OF income was
the sale OF his writings. which consisted
mainly OF "reminiscences OF his busy life as a
politician. q "flrst-nighter" at the theatres
and man about town. Some time ago he sold
TO several newspapers biographical sketches OF
himself Several days ago Mr.. Hall was
seized with a chill. His feebleness from
old age combined with a slight attack OF
heart trouble. prevented his recovery.
Yesterday morning the doctor told Mrs.
Hall that her husband's death was but
matter OF few days. It was not expected.
however. that Mr.. Hall would pass away 80
soon as he did. His death was painless. and he
retained consciousness almost until the last.
His wife and son were at his bedside. He
was In his seventy third year.
A. Oakley Halls name is inseparably con-
nected with the rise and fall OF the Tweed
regime. for he was Mayor Of the city whom the
Tweed ring frauds startled the nation. He
stood his trial for alleged complicity in these
frauds. and was acquitted. He was poll
tician. newspaper man. a lawyer. and for
q time an actor. All In all he had
remarkable career. He was born in New Or
leans. OF English parentage. and was gradu-
ate OF the University OF New York. He became.
in 1854, one Of the law firm OF Blunt, Vanderpoel
& Hall. He left tho Whig- Republican party
when Mr.. Lincoln defeated Mr.. Seward for the
Presidential nomination. became Democrat
and fought Tammany Hall until that organiza-
tion was glad to take him into its councils. He
the Tammany ticket. and was serving his third
term when John T. Hoffman. then Mayor. was
was elected Mayor in 1868, the Republican can
didate being Frederick A. Conkling. a brother
u Mr.. i Hail was reelected Mayor in 1870. The
Tnmmany 9yerthhrT3w that t9Sk %ii place IN @ 49,.
meyer at the head OF the city government.
ended Mr.. Halls political career.
His Disappearance from New @ York Eli In , the
the public Of hfs yhersabouts. and ipGpi
time that. the suggestion having been
that he bad been made mad o TSs SS
police Of that city answered with the eeIeb ebrated
statement: There are no slums in Brooklyn"
Mr.. Hall. it afterward appeared, was in Eng
suddenly as he had departed. An acquaintance
met him on Broadway one morning and re-
back. Mr.. Hall himself said that his mind had
been clouded when he went away, and that he
had only incomplete recollections OF what he
M He 0fS had always written copiously for the
% he had o AND h9 a9d
to piay;writing. On Dec, 10. 1875. he
EentqFed dEamHic Ra Play
at the Park Theatre His stage career was
short Later he Tri employed for several years
Hurlbert. Then he went to London as news
paper correspondent. From 1888 to 1888 he
n ne be e t9 tnee snd
dent for the Ne,o Torh ;Io,TnaI
Il was always technically a British subject"
District @ Att@rney @ s and 1 Mayor Mayor Of New York be-
cause. by British law. the grandson Of Briton
reached London and bethonGht me Of becoming
a barrister found vast British subject under
tasthas tns s1a'S all @
was even asked to become a candidate for
Parliament. But. .paraphrasing the song in
Mr.. Hall returned to New York to re:
SostEi to deiend ID Emma EN- Goldman the anarchist
and Antonio Blanco poor Italian. who
M Hail begae we to and addPessp Te in Se
oHare invited him to Eaee inside n; de- the rail
Mr.. Hall accepted the Invitation and deposited
his books and papers On the az desk used oS the the
IN the air and LETT the courtroom He rs.uraed
after a few moments and took his old place
outside of the rail where advocates speak for
their clients. Mr. O'Hara whispered to him
and tod fSs hin that M 9acs to but r
Hall shook his head ana said:
"Oh. no: have changed my mind. I thank
You for your courtesy. but that place in there
Is full of ghosts"
anesy M EeS s b nafe
and sallow had dark eyes, ana was slight in
build. During his later years his hair was
snowy white and thick and brushed
time ago his health was good and his wits were
sharp Last March he and his wife became Ro-
man Catholics. and were baptized by Father
George n: searle in the Church Of the
baptsed IN the Murray Street IfSP%y Pres
bytterian Church; and was brought M
was an Episcopalian.. She was the widow OF
Capt. john J. Clifton OF Scranton, Pa. and she
is of Welsh ancestry. Mr. Hall married in
1896. His mother died that same year. and his
first wife had died year before. He leaves
four daughters and one son.
OBITUARY