Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-09-14
ARTIST WOODS CASE SETTLED
DEATH OF JUDGE SLADE.
Collapsed Very suddenly Last Evening
tr,mincut I'm ,idison (uuniy

Middlebury, Sept. 13.-Judgc of Probate
james NJ. Slade, died quite suddenly at
his home IN this village about five O'Clock
Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 18th. Death
was so unexpected that there was no one
with him but Mr. II. 9. Potter and Mrs.
John Higgins, his wife and daughter beng
IN another portion of the house. He had
been in critical condition since early
morning but was easy ana apparently i'm
proving when suddenly he collapsed and
died painlessly with but a single gasp
James Madison Slade was the second
son of the late James NJ. Slade, the elder
being William, who died some 10 years
ago in much the same manner. He was
born in Middlebury June q. 1913 and wa
consequently a few months over 55 years
of age. He was educated in the COM
mon schools, the old Addison County
Grammar school and in MiddlcSury COL
lege, graduating from the latter in the
class of 1861 with high record for ,chol-
arship and delivering the ValediCtory adj
dress at the commencement. Beginning
the study OF .aw at ouce in the Albany
Law School in company with his college
classmatc. Judge George II. Lawrtnce OF
Rutland. he completed his reading in the
office of Stewart and t,ldrcdge here and
was admitted to the bar in 1870 In that
year he was appointed by Gov. John ",
Stewart, his secretary of civil and mill
Ia tlldllS anu tb.lllluttl as Sutn tnTOuB
the term. Under IHited States Collector
o. Internal Revenue Rolin j. jones' he
served as d,ruty several years and did
the principal work of the office efficiently.
superb penman. mathematician and ic-
countant his books and reports were
models of beauty and accuracy and brought
from inspecting officials and headquarters
at Washington many high encomiums,
lie was natural politician as were his
father and pranIf9thar (,pNerpnr NtiIlia nv,
Slade before him. Two unces, William
Slade Of Ohio, long time consul at Nice
and minister at Brussels and Henry Slade
holder of a prominent position in the
treasury department at the time of his
death some years ago, We're also promi-
nent in official andpolitcal life, II was a
family trait well developed in the sub
Ject of this sketch. Under the old system
he was many years town superintendent
of schools and had himself taught district
schools during the winters of his academy
and college courses, with marked success.
In the fall of 1874 he was elected to the
House of Representative in the Vermont
Legislature and served at Montpelier with
distinguished ability both as a committee
worker and floor dehater. His valuable
experience in his association with Gov
ernor Stewart four years before standing
him in good stead.
At different times he has been village at
torney and trustee and town law agent
and sclectman and auditor and SCHOOL
committman. He was always busy in
public affairs until he became somewhat
deaf a few years ago. File made an admi-
rahlc presiding officer at public meetings
having a fine presence, standing above Six
feet in height and Weighing over a10
pounds. having a strong, rleaT voice and a
good knowledge of parliamentary practice
and procedure.
fr.
bar he formed a partnership with Henry
Il. Harris which u'ss later On dissolved
when Mr. Harris removed 20 Texas \ la
ter partnership the one now terminated by
death was made with his former law n-
structor, Hon l.. u. Eldrcdge
In 1878 he was chosen States attorney
OF Addison County ana held the office un-
III lSS and was town grand juror many
years. Ten years ago on the resignati tion
ol Judge Il. II. Knapp upon his appoint
ment to the goVcrnorship of Alaska, Mr.
Slade was appointed Judge of probate for
the district of Addison and has held tho
Office by successive elections to the pre-
sent time.
Though ailing somewhat lately Judge
Slade was confined 10 the house only since
Saturday night the 9Th and not until We'd
nesday morning was any great alarm felt
The malady causing death is called hep
atizatiOn of tie liver. DR.. -. c. Noble
was the attending physician and Dr. E II
russell was called in consultation when
the case became serious Wedne sday fore
neon.