The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-31

But 1t Is s4hOaght He Expired Yes
terdays akorning Soon After Aris-
ing-He Was Specialist I'm In
Law, and Writer ms
Well. rs Barrister-Deceased
Was Well known IN the west.
Former Judge John w. Finch, a promi-
nent attorney of indianapolis, Ind, was
found dead In the bath room adjoining
his apartment at the Ryan hotel, shortly
after O'Clock last evening. Death had
ensued some hours previous to the find
Ing of the BODY. Coroner Nelson inVesti-
gated the. case and decided that Judge
Finch died from heart failure. Members
! ofsthes deeeasedss family at Indianapolis
Were notifieds and the body is held at
1.-The Scountyi morgue,. awaiting their dis
position. .,4s-s.s
Judge Fifpch registered TAT the Ryan
ahotek Monday snsuIiIling 81 coming here
direct from his home. He occupied q
high position in his profession asSan In
Surance attorney and was tez have argued
q case today before the United States
circuit court of appeals, now In session
In this city. He was about the hotel, APP
parently in good health, during the day
and retired in the neighborhood OF IL
o'clock Nothing further was seen or
heard of him until his dead body was
found in the bathroom last evening
The apartment occupied by Judge Finch
was 4parior n, on the second floor. A
chambermaid knocked at the door shortly
before o'clock, but received no re-
Spouse. Thinking the occupant was still
sleeping the weman went about other
duties. Later In the day Judge Finch's
absence was noticed and caused some
comment and when he had not appeared
at o'clock in the evening his room was
forced open and the body found in the
bath tub.
From the condition of the bath room
and the body 1t is believed that Judge
Finch slept through the night and arose
yesterday morning to take a bath. His
clothing was in the sleeping room, while
his night robe lay on a chair beside the
bath tub, indicating that he had doubtless
prepared to battle Immediately upon ariS-
ing The body lay partially submerged
in water. with the head resting against
the incline at the back, entirely out Of
water. There was no evidence of a strug-
gle or a violent death. The room was
undisturbed and; the features of the dead
man were perfectly calm. In the opinion
of Coroner Nelson, Judge Finch was sud
denly seized with an attack OF heart
failure and died before he could summon
assistance.
AS an able counsel in insurance cases
Judge Finch twas favorably known
throughout the West. He was regarded
as an eminent authority ell this phase OF
law and is said to have written several
books on this subject. He leaves wife
and family in Indianapolis. He was
siXty-flve wears of age
Frank P. Sebree an attorney of Kansas
City, Mo, who is at the Ryan and was
20 HOY nd Onn0nQnt
the, case before the circuit court of ap-
peals today, speaks in the highest terms
. of the dead lawyer. Mr.. Sebree has sew
eral times been opposing counsel In cases
where Judge Finch appeared and says
the dead man was regarded as one or the
best attorneys in matters pertaining to
insurance litigation. He met Judge Finch
in Chicago several years ago, again in
Kansas City, and only learned of his
death last evening, when inquiring for
Judge Finch at the hotel desk, with the
idea of renewing an old acquaintance.
The case which was to have been ar
gued today was that Of May Wilson
against the Offlcials' and Employees Acct
dent company, of Kansas City. The case
was an appeal from a $1,000 Judgment
awarded plaintiff on an accident policy
for her husbands death. Judge Finch
was to have represented the company,
while Attorney Sebree represents the
plaintiff.
Eugene F HAY, of Minneapolis, an old
friend of Mr. Finch, received a telegram
from the deadaman's sister yesterday
evening, asking him to take charge Of the
remains until the arrival Of some of the
family from indianapolis. Mr.. Hay came
over last evening and communicated with
Coroner Nelson's requesting that the re-
mains be removed from the morgue to an
undertaking establishment. Mr.. Hay
said to the g To- b last night:
Mr.. Finchy was a man about s. years
Of age and h single. I have known him
for many yeara. and there has been a
close connectionsbetween our families. He
has a sistersltvfng in Indianapolis, from
whom / receivea the first advices of his
death this evening. His parents are both
old people. He ihas an officer in the Civil
war, and is a member of the Loyal Le-
gion and G.. A. r. He was a man Of
agreeable department and gentleman.
He was recognized as one Of the ablest
insurance attorneys in the country. After
the close of the war he began his practice
at indianapolis, which he has continued to
this time. Mr.. Finch was to have tried a
case in the United States circuit court
tomorrow, and had. INTENDED to see him
to morrow night"