Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1900-03-16
DEATH OF E.J. PHELPS
ONE OF MlDDLEBURY'S MOST DlSTIN-
GUlSHED SONS.

The End Comes Peacefully After Long
Weeks of Illness with Pneumonia-His
Family with Him at Time-His Illus.
trious Life Recounted.
The Hon. Edward John Phelps, late
professor of law at Yale, died at his resi-
dence in New Haven, Conn, Friday
afternoon at 4 :35 o'clock. At his bed
side during his last moments were his
widow, his Son, Charles p Phelps of
Boston, and his daughter, Mrs Horatio
Loomis of New York city, and his phys-
clan. According to a special dispatch to
the Burlington Free Press, his death was
due directly to an abscess of the lung,
although he had been Ill for seven weeks
previous with pneumonia. Twelve hours
previous to the time he lost consciousness
which he did not regain.
Since week after the time Professor
Phelps was first confined to his bed
nearly two months ago he had hovered
between life and death. Despite his adj
vanced age his strong constitution pro-
longed his life much longer than his
physicians at first believed possible. At
times when the doctors thought that the
patient was gradually falling, Prof.
Phelps would rally and gain for few
days, only to fail again. Not until the
early part of last week, however, was it
discovered that he was afflicted with an
abscess of the lung. Thursday the at
tending physician gave up all hope for
the first time and from then on he sank
until the time of death.
Perhaps the illness of no Yale person
ana of tbo nraenpt ,i,,,o oyaitad ,nnro
sympathy than that of Professor Phelps.
Hardly a day passed hut that students
and instructors Of the university called
at the door to inquire as to his condition,
while President Hadley was at all times
aware of the progress of the patient.
kilograms were also being constantly
received from the friends of Professor
Phelps in all sections of the country.
About month ago Queen Victoria sent
cablegram inquiring as to the condition
and hope for the professor and expressed
sympathy for his wife.
The funeral services in New Haven
were held in Battell chapel on Sunday.
Ex.President Timothy Dwight of the
university made the address o. the occa-
sion, Rev. DR.. Z. Z. Munger of the cor
poration conducting the services.
The remains were brought to Burllng-
ton by night train and the funeral in
that city took place on Tuesday afternoon
at 3 o'clock at st. Paul's church. The
Free Press says that the number of
people who gathered to attend the service
taxed the seating capacity of the church
and was fitting tribute to the memory
of the distinguished deceased. The floral
tributes were arranged on either side and
in front of the chancel. while from the
choir seats hung wreaths of roses,
orchids and callas. The front of the
chancel was a gorgeous bank of floral
designs in wreaths, anchors and crosses.
They were for the most part roses, al
though there was large sprnkling of
Easter lilies and vioets. Many were
brought from New Haven, Conn, the
gift of friends and admirers. On the
casket was an immense cross of English
violets from the family, and wreath of
the same given by the Chittendcn county
bar. number of roses were also scat
tered about the designs. 1t was one of
the most beautiful displays of floral
tributes ever seen in Burlington and their
SNttl tiNN lllltN Ai' tuilNt' Jut
funeral procession left the residence at
2 :45 and reached the church at 3 o'clock.
The members of the Chittenden County
Bar association stood with barred heads
while the remains were taken into the
church. At the entrance Bishop A. c. A.
Hall, Rev. George Y, Bliss, Rev. Thomas
Worrall and Rev. GemOnt Graves met the
bearers and escorted the remains to their
resting place in front of the chancel
The casket was followed by the near
relatives of the deceased and the mem
bers of the bar association. Episcopal
burial service was used. 1t was brief but
very impressive. Bishop Hall oniciated
assisted by the Revs. George Y. Bliss.
Thomas Worrall and Gemont Graves
The full boy choir of the church rendered
music, singing "Abide With Me-" and
"Jesus, Lover of My Soul"
The honorary bearers were: Gov f
c. Smith of st. Albans, Col. L. G. b
Cannon of New York, Gen. j. G. Me
CullOugh of Bennington, Hon. B. F. Fl
field of Montpelier, President NJ. Ii
Buckham, Prof. III. A. p. Torrey, Col. b
B. Smalley, Mayor Robert Roberts and
John A. Arthur of this city. The pal
bearers were Police Officers p. j. Russell
j. j. Brothers, w. w. Garrow and E. u
McElligott. After the service at the
church the remains were taken to Greer
Mount cemetery for interment. The cor
tege was large. At the cemetery short
service was held and the floral tribute;
were brought from the church and placed
on the grave. Nearly all the stores anG
places of business were closed during tho
funeral service.
Edward John Phelps, lawyer, scholar
diplomatist and statesman, was born il
Middlebury, Addison county, Vermont
June II, 1922. He was the son of Hon