Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-08-28
DEATH or Levi Q. BIRD.


Levi G. Bird, leading lawyer and one
Of Wilmingaon's foremost citizens, died
early yesterday at his summer resi-
dence, Hilltop. near Delaware City.
Mr.. Bird returned from Bedford
Springs, Pa, whore he had gone for
rest, about two weeks ago, very much inn
proved in health. Last Friday he par
took Of some fruit, which brought on
an alta ok of his old trouble, dysentery.
He was under the care of Dr.James A.
Draper and a trained nurse, hut his
affection defied treatment and he con-
tinued to grow worse At 10 minutes
to O'Clock yesterday his death
occurred.
Before going to Bedford Springs. Mr..
Bird had been i'll, but the trip to Bed
ford seemed to do him great deal of
good. He arrived back from that re-
sort on August 14th, and looked to be
in rugged health. That evening he
dined With Henry P. Scott, and until
his illness he entertained friends at his
residence at Hilltop. 1t was one Of his
greatest pleasures to act the host and
members Of the bar have been recall
ing his delightful manner on their
recent visits. On Wednesday last, he
took luncheon with Federal Judge
George Gray and that night he enter
tanned j. Harvey Whiteman and
Victor B. Woolley at his home. 1t had
been his intention, after spending
few days here, to go to York Harbor,
Me-, but he gave up that project and
decided instead to go to Warm Springs,
"a. He ordered accommodations there
last week, intending to go there on
Monday last
ut was a fad of Mr.. Birds, il he
woke in the night, to eat fruit, and it
Is believed that his illness dated from
his eating, pear last Wednesday or
Thursday night following it in the
morning with some cantaloupes. He
was in Wilmington on Thursday and,
as usual, was in very good spirits,
CHEEKY and affable.
On Friday he had to remain home
because Of feeling i'll and sent for DR..
James A. Draper. From that time,
DR.. Draper and his son, Dr. James A.
Draper, Jr., were in frequent at
tendance. They found that Mr.. Bird
was suffering from severe attack of
entero -colitis, that is to say, dysentery
| and diarrhna combined, The whole
intestinal tract was inilamed. Mr.. Bird
bHuams very i'll and was never able to
l. ihtiaf. hc hii cpoil iistiV bpptut oho
morning, but the improvement did not
last. A trained nurse was engaged and
Dr. Draper, Jr., remained over night
three times, to see that no had the
best, of care. Through most of bis
| illness his temperature was below the
normal, but on the night before he
died it went up to 1903 His pulse was
generally rapid and feeble. For the
| last two days before his death he was
| in a semi consoious condition, oc-
cnsionally recognizing those around
| him. His sister, Mrs. II. z. johnson,
was there when he died.
The news of Mr.. Birds death came
as q great shock. Few OF his large
circle of acquaintance knew that he
was i'll. Even those who had heard
| that his condition was serious felt
| keenly the shock when his death was
announced. He had been such whole
4 souled, thorough going friend that
many feel a deep personal loss in his
death.
Judge George Gray was especially
| grieved to learn the news. He and
Mr.. Bird, together with John II. Rod
ney and Anthony Higgins, had all been
| to Harvard Law School together. In
| their subsequent career at the bar, the
| paths Of Judge Gray and Mr.. Bird
we're very close. They were associated
together in numerous important cases,
aud when Mr.. Gray was attorney
general, we're pitted against each other
in criminal cases. Mr.. Bird was to
have been one of house party at the
residence of Henry P. Scott, Reybold,
| from last Friday until Monday, and
had looked forward to it with pleasure.
| But he was forced to forego the visit.
Judge Gray, Chancellor Nicholson and
Thomas Cravan were to have been in
the party. On Saturday last, Mr.. Scott
| and Mr.. Craven visited Mr.. Bird and
1 found that his condition was critical.
Judge Ignatius G. Grubb was another
| close friend Of Mr.. Birds who feels
his loss keenly. The judge and Mr..
4 Bird we're fellow-students at the Hyatt
| Academy here.
| Levi g. Bird was born November
| Goth, 1912. in Christiana hundred, at
| what is now the residence of Henry G.
Banning, His ancestors on both his
fathor's and his mothers sides we're
i Delawareans. His father, James Z.
Bird, was born in st. Georges hundred,
near Summit Bridge, on the old Bird
homestead; his mother, Susan Clark
| Bird, was the daughter Of Levi Clark,
| q lifelong resident OF Red Lion hun
dred.
| Mr. Birds early life was spent on
| his father's farm, near this city, and
the rudiments of his education were
obtained at Hyatt's Academy, this
city. FIe decided to enter the legal
profession. He prepared for college at
Lawrenceyille, y. j., and was gradu-
\ ated from tho Harvard Law School in
1863. Entering the law Office of the
Hon. Daniel M. Bates, afterwards
Chancellor, and was admitted to the
bar of New Castle county in 1865.
His intuitive knowledge of men.
diligent application and enthusiastic
devotion to the interests of his clients,
soon placed Mr.. Bird in the front rank
of young lawyers, and secured for him
a large and remunerative practice.
/ In 1867, he was appointed register in
bankruptcy of the United States Dis
triot Court, for the District of Della
ware, continuing in this office until
1877. This was his only public office.
In 1876, he was the Republican candi-
date for Congress, being defeated after
an unusually spirited contest.
MIR. Bird was president of the Will
mington Club, having succeeded Col.
w. A. LaMotte, who resigned about
three years ago. He was member Of
the Delaware Club, which dated back
to 1916, and the Wilmington Club was
formed from the Delaware Club and
the Wilmington Association and Read
ing Room, which dated back to 1855.
Mr.. Bird was member of the board
Of censors of tho Bar Association.
n In the practice Of his profession, be
acquired reputation second to mona as
| a crifininal laWyar. hut of late Yaars haC