The late Benjamin F. Low, of the Middletown bar, was one of the most genial spirits ever drawn into social relations with his fellow-men. He fairly oozed companionship and good fellowship. He was also a good lawyer, coming from a family of which Senator Henry A. Low, his brother, was the most able and conspicuous member.
He had some notable successes at the bar. In the case of Josie Teets against the city of Middletown he obtained a verdict for considerably more than he would have got if it had not been for the mistake of his opponent in the cross-examination of the plaintiff's physician. Dr. William H. Dorrance, who, on the direct, had testified to only moderate injuries to his patient as the result of her being thrown over the dashboard on account of an obstruction in the street. But he became nettled by the cross-examination and when he was finally asked: "Now, doctor, tell me just what is the matter with this young lady," he replied: "Why, Mr. O'Neill, there is not one organ or function of that woman's body that works healthfully or naturally."
This brought up the verdict from $1,000, all that Mr. Low expected to get, to $3,000. It was a lesson to all who heard it as to the danger of giving a hostile witness too good an opening. As a matter of fact, the woman is still living in vigorous health.
Louis S. Sterrit, of Newburgh, who died in April, 1907, left a void in the hearts of a large and intimate circle. He enjoyed an extensive clientage and the confidence of the entire community. He was the attorney of that old, strong and conservative institution, the Newburgh Savings Bank, and of many other institutions and societies. His dignified presence, his affable manners, his substantial worth, his sincerely religious character, his mental poise combined to produce an impression upon the community which the corrosion of time will, with difficulty, efface.
Mr. Sterrit was eminently public-spirited. In 1904 he erected at the entrance of Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor, two very fine gates. He also placed in the Union Presbyterian church of Newburgh a tablet in memory of the late Rev. Alexander B. Jack, one of its pastors.
His generosity was unbounded. No client, however poor or humble, ever failed of help or counsel because he lacked a fee.
The death in 1906 of Lewis W. Y. McCroskery, of the Newburgh bar, created a general feeling of sorrow and a distinct sense of personal loss. He had filled many offices which brought him into individual relations with the entire community, and it is safe to assert that he had not a single enemy. His appointment as postmaster by President Cleveland was filled with credit to himself and usefulness to the public service. His professional career was interrupted by this service, but when he resumed his practice at the expiration of his term his clients gathered about him again, for they and the bar alike always appreciated deeply his amiable disposition, his spotless character, his solid ability.
Joseph M. Leeper, of the Newburgh bar, also passed away in 1906. A veteran of the Civil War his health did not permit him to engage in active practice, but he took an honorable pride in his membership of a profession which he never did one act to discredit.
The mention of Mr. Leeper suggests the name of one who should not be suffered to fall into oblivion, for it was one of the strongest passions of his own life to perpetuate the memory of the leaders of the Orange County bar, by which he was especially deputed to prepare and publish the memorial to Mr. Winfield. No one will dissent from a passing tribute to the generous instincts and throbbing heart of John K. Goldsmith.
Henry W. Chadeayne, elected in 1906 supervisor of the town of Cornwall, but practicing in Newburgh, stands out as one of the few men who always says what he thinks. You can always tell where to find him, and that is just where he says he is. You do not have to go to any one else to learn where he stands. Just ask him and you will know. He has no patience with trimmers and time-servers. He always takes the most straight road possible to any given end.