Middletown transcript., 1898-04-02
JAMES j.. woLcoTT DEAD.

The startling announcement that Hon.
James L. Wolcott had died suddenly at
Dover on Thursday morning was received
| firstSMith doubt as to the correctness of the
report and then with sorrow and re-
gret. His friends and those immediate
who have met him recently knew of his
failing health but the public had had no
warning. He has not been well for a year
past and had arranged for vacation and a
visit to Colorado Springs in the near future.
He was in Laurel on Wednesday on busi-
ness for the Pennsylvania railroad for
which he was counsel, having succeeded
Geo. V. Massey, Esq. Mr.. Wolcott retired
Wednesday evening apparently as well as
usual. Thursday morning Mrs. Wolcott
heard him cough peculiarly about 7.30 and
entering his room from hers adjoining
found the death stare on his face. The
family physician was summoned and he
pronounced death due to apoplexy.
Expressions of the deepest regret have
come from every direction. Mrs. Wolcott
and her three sons have the fullest SYM
pathy not only of personal friends but Of
the public. Mr.. Wolcott was bright, win
ming man and made hosts of friends. He
had fought his way from the position of
country school teacher to the Chancellor
ship of the State and among the front ranks
Of his party. His party should haye made
him United States Senator last winter but
the Democrats of the General Assembly
failed to acknowledge ability and fitness,
to reward party fidelity and faithful ser
vice. Mr.. Wolcott had undoubtedly ac-
cepted much as party man of which he
personally did not approve but ) he
could not bow to what to him was false
Democracy, the silver craze Of his party.
His political ambitions were sacrificed
upon the altar of his nobler manhood.
James L. -Wolcots was born in Mispillion
hundred in Kent county, near Harrington,
on February 4, 1872 He was educated in
the public schools In 1868 he entered the
law Office of the Hon. Eli Salisbury and
was admittedto the bar in 1866. He was
Clerk of State Senate in 1871, counsel
of the Levy Court from 1871 to 1879, Secre-
tary of the State under Governor Hall from
1879 to 1888, and was appointed Chancel-
lor of the State by Governor Reynolds on
May g. 1898, resigning in November, 1896, to
become attorney for the Delaware railroad,
Mr.. Wolcott was a political leader of
much ability. He became estranged from
his friends, the Saulsburys and in 1888
when Hon. Eli Salisbury sought fourth
term in the U. s. Senate, Mr.. Woleott's
faction carried the Inarjority in Kent county
against his return and applying the "unit'
rule in that memorable County Convention
they nominated full Wolcott legislative
ticket, ignoring the claims of the Hundred
delegations to be allowed to name their
local choice. That factional fight was car
ried into Sussex county weakening Democ-
racy so that at the election there the Re
publicaDs won. In Kent County the Sauls-
bury Democrats to the number of over 500
bolted the Democratic ticket and elected
the Republicans and as result Hon. An
thony Higgins was sent to the Senate.
This fight made Mr.. Wolcott factional foes,
but time and death heal differences, which
may be momentous here but tri1es COM
pared with eternity, and to-day there are
none so unmanly, unChristian, not to ac-
knowledge the merits and ability of James
L. Wolcott, and with sincere regret his
deaths is mourned as loss to the State as
well as to his family and immediate friends.
The funeral takes placa at 1 30 This affair
noon at Dover.