Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-06
Mr.. Nicholas Fish's Sad Death.
BY MRS. W. H. FELTON,.

- n THE WINTER Of 1s75-76 there was
no dwelling placein the United States
that ranked higher, if so high as the
home of Hon Hamilton Fish, secre-
tary of state, under President Grant
in the city of Washington. ID. c.
Not even the white mouse enjoyed such
high tone and perfect etiquette as the
Fish mansion. Mrs. Fish was eninently
qualified for the position she held as
leader OF dignifed hospitality If not OF
fashion in the capital city Of the United
States. The family were familiar as
friends with all the foreign ministers and
an invitation to Mrs. Fish's receptions
was never to be sighted.
They had a splendid home on the Hud-
son river near West Point for the sum-
mer season, besides their usual New YORK
city home during the winter.
Wherever Hon. Hamilton Fish went
there were also present scholarly learn
ing statesmanlike dignity and social prom
inence. The Ffsh's were on the top round
of the ladder in wealth and political posi-
ton A reception at their home was
easily classed as superior in all respects
as to style, taste, magnificent and select
company.
Now to think that son of that splen-
did couple led a life OF low-down debauch-
cry, after such raising as his parents had
given him fatigues ones establishment,
for this dead man, the son of Hamilton
Fish, secretary of state, had every oppor-
tunity to be a worthy successor or ms
distinguished father. He was man or
culture himself, a former minister to Bel
GUM, banker of standing, husband OF
a splendid wife who still bore his name
when he died like a dog. To find this man
with age enough on his side. to be steady
and discreet in his mountaineering, stlll
associating with depraved and dissolute
m
being done to death I'm the streets or New
York city in a drunken broil with such
people, compels one TO admit that poor
human nature sometimes defies grace and
gospel, fine example and decent sur
roundings and friendship, mother s pray
ers and fathers fond hopes and goes pell
nell to ruin. like the veriest vagabond
spawned in the slums.
1t is a mercy If his father and mother
have passed on to their reward in the
great beyond. Death has been friend
to these parents if they know nothing OF
this decay OF their family name
1t is preposterous that man so well
raised could allow himself to break
through every barrier of responsibility to
fling his life away among such depraved
associates. The story Of the murder brings
to light the exceeding vulgar depravity
of Mr. Ffsh's associates. The wonder is,
he lived even so long in such low COM
pany, and the debauchery of all sorts and
he was no better than his companions IN
drink and vice.
1t was a good radiance to the world and
especially to his wife and children il he
was also an unworthy father as well as
husband. Better he had died before his
eyes opened on the light of day and it
is appalling to view such wrecks when OPP
portunity for better things has been so
apparent. as in the life OF his father and
mother, who brought Nicholas Fish into
the world once an innocent little child
OF course there are hidden mysteries
that eternity may reveal. Stronk drink,
drugs, cocoaine. such destructives can
and will eat out any mans honor and
morals. They are the open doors TO every
crime in the calendar.
This death so repulsive in all its sur
roundings and details. becomes an object