The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-05
Long Service on the Supreme
Bench Is Endsd By Attack
Of Heart Disease
FOR TWENTY YEARS
HEAD OF SUPREME COURT
Chief Justice F'uIIer's Death Leaves
Supreme Court Few In Numbers and
Creates a situation Unprece-
dcnted in History

Sorrento Maine, July I'm fulfill
ment of an oft-expressed wish that he
might end his long life in the room
where his wife breathed her last six
years ago, the venerable chief justice of
the supreme court of the United States.
Melville w. Fuller, died suddenly of
heart failure early today. Not only did
the leader of the American Judiciary
round out his days in the same room
where his wife had passed away. but
1t was in the state of his nativity, the
state he loved so well, that his long
life ended. Chief Justice Fuller was
n years old.
With the justice when he died were
his daughter, Mrs. Nathaniel Francis,
of Washington, his granddaughter,
Miss Aubrey Francis. and the Rev.
James E. Freeman of Minneapolis, a
neighbor and friend of the family.
Justice Fuller had not shown any symp-
toms of illness.
Yesterday he attended church and re-
tired last evening about the usual time
and to all appearances in his custom
airy health.
His daughter Mrs. Frances heard q,
call from her fathers room early this
morning and on answering it, saw at
once that he was seriously i'll. Sum-
moning the Rev. DR.. Freeman. Mrs.
Frances sent him for physician. but
when the physician arrived the justice
was beyond assistance.
Chief Justice Fuller had been a sum-
e.
He came here from Chicago June 25
and since that time had been staying
at the "Mainstay7 as his summer homo
was called.
The funeral services will be held at
the Church of the Redeemer next
Wednesday afternoon. Interment will
be at Chicago probably on Friday.
"Details of Fntai Attack
Chief Justice Fuller arrived at Sor-
rento June 25 from Chicago. He was
not well in Chicago in June but since
coming to Sorrento his health appar-
entity had been very good considering
his advanced age. He enjoyed SER
mon yesterday in the church of the
Redeemer of the Episcopal denomina-
tion by the Rev. Freeman of Minneapo
lis who has been a lifelong friend of the
Fuller family.
Last night when Justice Fuller re-
tired he was in excellent spirits and
there was not the slightest . tication
that serious trouble was impending
with his heart.
Mrs. Frances was awakened about
5:45 a. m. by cry from her father.
Upon hearing his feeble words I'm
feeling very ill.," she realized that he
was In a critical condition.
DR.. Phelps hurried over the three
mile strentch of road in an automobile,
but failed to arrive before his patient
had passed beyond the need of medical
aid.
Mrs. Frances also called in the Rev.
Mr.. Freeman who occupies a neighbor-
Ing cottage and he and Mrs. Frances
were with the chief justice when he
breathed his last. Death came peace
fully and Justice Fuller retained his
faculties until the end, recognizing
those about him. Owing to a break in
the telephone lines 1t was necessary
to send a message by the water route
five miles to Bar Harbor to announce
the death of the chief justice.
All five daughters excepting one who
lives In Tacoma are expected to attend
the funeral. The daughters are Mrs.
Hugh Wallace, of Tacoma, Mrs. w. Fl.
White. of Chicago, Mrs. T. S. Tiercher
of Tarrytown, n. Y, Mrs. r. f. Mason
and Mrs. Nathaniel Frances of Wash
ington.
The chief justice leaves no sons.