Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-07-05
DEATH or CHIEF JUSTICE
FULLER.

In fulflment OF the oft-expressed
wish that he might end his long life in
the very room where his wife breathed
her last, six years ago, the venerable
chief justice of the United States
Melville w. Fuller, died suddenly Of
heart disease in Sorrento, Me-, early
Yesterday morning, aged II years.
With the justice when he died were
his daughter Mrs. Nathaniel Francis, Of
Washington; his granddaughter, Miss
Aubrey Francis, and Rev. James +.
Freeman. Of Minneapolis, a neighbor
and friend OF the family. Justice Full
Ter had not shown any symptoms Of
illness. Sunday he attended the
Church of the Redeemer (EpiscopaD.
When Justice Fuller retired Sunday
night he was in excellent spirits, and
not the slightest indication that there
was serious trouble with his heart was
observed.
Mrs. Francis was awakened about
5:45 O'Clock by a feeble cry from her
father. Upon looking at him and
hearing his words, Il am feeling very
ill.," she realized that he was in a
serious condition. DIR. Phelps hurried
over the three-mile stretch Of road in
an automobile, but failed to arrive be-
fore his patient had passed beyond the
reach Of medical aid.
Death came very peacefully, and he
retained his faculties until the end, rec
ognizing those about him.
Chief Justice Fuller had been a sum-
mer resident OF Sorrento for II years.
He went there from Chicago on June
% last, and since hat time had been
staying at the Mainstay, as his sum
mer home was called.
The funeral services will be held at
the Church OF the Redeemer tomorrow
afternoon. Interment will be at Chi
cago. probably on Friday.
Melville Weston Fuller, chief justice
Of the United States Supreme Court,
was born in Augusta, Me-, Feb
ruary II, 1888. He received his
early education in Augusta and
later attended Bowdoin College,
where he was graduated in 1888.
After graduating young Fuller
studied law in Bangor, Me-, and later
attended lectures at~the Harvard Law
School, and was admitted TO the bar in
1865. In 1856, he moved TO Chicago,
where he practiced law till 1888. Chief
Justice Fuller was a lifelong democrat.
While in Illinois he took a prominent
part in politics, being a member OF the
) ate constitutional convention in 1862
and a member Of the legislature from
1864 to 1865. He was a delegate to
the democratic national con entions Of
1868. 1872, 1876 and 1880. On April
80. 1889, he was appointed by Presl-
dent Cleveland chief justice. The ap-
pointment was confirmed OF July 20,
and he took office on October s.. As he
had served through the session OF the
SUPREME Court for the present year,
his 90 years on the bench were prac-
ticalIy complete, giving him the. third
longest term in the history OF that tri-
bunaI. Chief Justice Waite, who was
succeeded By Fuller, served IA years.
Mr.. Fuller's first wife was CaIista o.
REYNOLDS, whom he married in 1853.
On May 80, 1866, he married Mary E.
Coolbaugh, daughter of William Cool
bauph. in Chicago. His second wife,
" o was born in Burlington, Ia, on
August 10. 1S45, died on August II,
1904, at her summer home in Sorrento,
Me. Six married daughters and a son
the chief justice, one Of the
daughters Mrs. Jane Fuller Francis)