The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-27
JUDGE VAN BRUNT DROPSDEAD
NOTED JIRIST STRICKEN AT
BROOKLYN BRIDGE ENTRANCE.
Ills Body Lay for More Than Two Hours In
StuTy Room Called Hospital
Mourning in the Courts. which Adj
3 Journed PrOmptly-Career Onthe Bench

Mourning IN the courts, Wmcn Al.
s Journed Promptly-Career onthe Bench
Charles H. Van Br,mt, presiding Justice
Of the Appellate Division of the Supreme
Court. First Department, was stricken
with heart disease at the Manhattan end Of
the Brooklyn Bridge early yesterday after
noon and died few minutes afterward
without regaining consciousness.
The Justice was on the way to Bay Ridge
with his daughter, George Van Brurt,
and it was their intention to take an ele-
waited train. Just as they reached the top
of the main fight Of stairs leading to the
train platform Justice Van Brunt sta ggered
and fell
A great crowd gathered, and one Of them,
who said he was a physician. attempted to
revive the stricken jurist. His shirt and
waistcoat were opened and hypodermio
injections were administered. Several po-
cemen Of the bridge squad hurried to the
scene and call for an ambulance was
sent to the Hudson street hospital. When
it arrived the surgeon prom ounced Justice
Van Brunt dead.
The policemen brought up stretcher
and the body was carried to the little room
near the eastern end Of the bridge en-
trance which is called the emergency
hospital" The room is hot. stuffy and not
overoean Why it is called hospital no
one seems to know. From it's appearance
it ia the last place in the world to which
sick person should be taken.
The body Of the Justice was covered with
newspapers and allowed to remain in this
room more than two hours pending the
arrival OF the undertaker's wagon. 1t
was then conveyed to his home, 10 East
Forty sixth street, after Coroners PLY stefan
Leblanc had given permit for it's removal.
In the meantime the news Of Justice
Van Brunt's death had reached the County
Court that were in session Immediately
adjourned and the Justices hurried to the
bridge entrance to see II they could render
any service. Among the first to arrive
Bsohoff and Fitzgerald. They were quickly
followed by Justices Gegerich, O'Gorman,
Davis and Bowling. The clerks and court
attendants also swarmed TO the scene, ana
end Of Justice Van Brunt, They waited
about until the undertaker's wagon arrived
and stood in two lines with barred heads
as the body was carried out.
Whe n Justice Van Brunt fell his daughter
did not seem to realize the seriousness OF
the situation. w. c. Haverstck OF 3l4
West twenty third street, who had helped
to work over the stricken man led her to
one side and asked her If she wished to se d1d
not unless her father was dead. In that
event, she said. she wished to notify her
mother, who was on the way to Rochester.
Mr.. Haverstick then broke the news to her
and she bore. up wonderfully we'll. She
said she would 60 to l2o Broadway and
send the message from there. She did not
return to the Bridge entrance.
When Justice Van Brunt ,s n death .h wa
in the G1 ,Sa E9u' ES~ asgs
Who was trying the Blond case before
Justice LevenTitt. was 30 overcome that
he could scarcely speak. He seemed to be
ab9ring under great emonon Wn aen ne SoTd
in behalf Of the bar expressing the deep
senee Of loss We feel to be uni vereal for the
very eminent services rendered to the
country by Judge Ven srnnt ~ t me sd dssn
personal loss and cannot trust myself to
speak as should under this great per-
sons! calamity, .d,or,, o. q ,.rk
~ resnect to this great jurist,' said Justice
Ieventritt, and note will be placed on the
minutes Of our very sad feelings at the
news"
ich. Judge Van Brunt was my frie nd
He helped me as young lawyer and he was
a true friend, He was great jurist, one
of the greatest judges that ever presided
in this State. He was a noble type OF man
All the other Justices spoke in praise OF
the dead man. Several parts OF the City
Court also adjourned W hen it was learned
there that he was dead
The Appellate Division was not IN session
Several OF the clerks and other officials OF
this court hurried downtown when mes
sage was received announcing Justice
Van Brunt's death Many Of them are un-
ates The court, which stood four Demo
Gratis and three Republicans now Ia evenly
divided. Should Gov. Higgins designate
Republican in place Of Justice Van Brunt,
the Republicans would gain control OF the
court. This might lead to radical change
IN the personnel Of the employees.
Charles H. Van Brunt was. native OF
Long Island, descendant of one OF the
old Holland landed Proprietors VINO settled
days. He was born Dec: 20, 1893. and was
educated at the University Of the City, OF
New York, from which he was graduated in
1856 He studied law. and was a clerk n
known firm of lawyers in Wall street, the
senior member Of which was at one time
Justice Of the Supreme Court and the
Junior Governor Of the State.
Mr. Van BrlInt was admitted TO the bar
In 1858, and was actively engaged in the
practise OF the law mil 1889, when he was
appointed t, fill vacancy in the Court
OF Common Pleas Afterward he was
jude of tina That d doTa fof the sreater
part Of that lime he served in the Supreme
C",,-t. by assignment of the Governor. In
lsss he was Ell seted Justice q the Supreme
tho Presiding Justice Of that court in the
First Judicial Department. and as such
originated and carried out many su6stan-
tiai improvements in the methods OF con
Quoting the business OF that couI., d;I Me
had never held any other than 'uo'c'a'
office.
Court under the Constitution of 1895 he
was appc inted by Coy. Morton n, the RE- e,
the First Department. He was nominated