dishonor against intrinsic and unshaken integrity.
The home life of Mr. Masterton was one of ideal character, for to those nearest and dearest to him he gave the wealth of affection which only a deep nature can give. His was a noble character and one that countenanced no wrong, — in thought, word or deed. None has been more worthy of the esteem of his fellow men, and in the concluding paragraphs will' be incorporated words that bespeak the estimation in which he was held in the community where he lived, incidental reference being also made to the sad circumstance of his martyrdom. Into the privacy of the home, so saddened by this recent and greatest of bereavements, we have no wish to enter, but the following record of his domestic relations is consistently given. On the 6th of June, 1851, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Masterton to Miss Mary Augusta Hance, of New York city, a daughter of Revo Carney and Mary Augusta (Ming) Hance. and of this union four children were born: Louise Jeannette, (Mrs. W. N. Ferris), May B. (Mrs. Charles P. Tibbals), Alexander, Jr., and Joseph Earl, both of whom died in childhood. The beautiful family home, near Bronxville, Westchester county, is known as Forfar Cottage, being thus named in honor of the native village, in Scotland, of the father of Mr. Masterton. Forfar Cottage is situated on an elevated site and is surrounded by native forest trees, the grove having been beautified by the effective art of the landscape gardener so that the place can scarcely be surpassed in its attractions of natural beauties, thus effectively supplemented.
The religious element in the character of Mr. Masterton was positive and of a high type. A close student of the Bible, reposing in the orthodox faith of his fathers, he was yet free from cant and narrowness, and preserved throughout his life the pre-eminent Christian virtues. Of the details of the tragic death of the subject of this memoir it would seem more consistent that we make slight mention, for the wretched man who fired the fatal shot passed before the judgment seat of the Eternal within but a few days after his malignant attack upon one who was one of his best friends, expiating for his crime not through the retributive justice of the courts of this world, but dying unwept and solitary in a public hospital. Over his shadowed life let us place the veil of that charity of spirit that was manifested toward him by his victim. Under date of May 9, 1899, the Rev. Alfred E. Myers, of the Marble Collegiate church, wrote as follows to the editor of .the New York Tribune:
He who slays a man and at the same time kills his reputation commits double murder. This twofold wrong seems to have been attempted and the crime against the life was consummated by Mr. Plumb upon my old friend and parishioner, Alexander Masterton. After an acquaintance of twenty-five years, beginning with nearly four years of daily and intimate relations with both Mr. Masterton and his family, 1 think I know something of the character of the victim of this deliberate and cowardly assassination. In the first place Alexander Masterton was one of the most peaceable and peace-loving men I have ever known. He was pre-eminently a peacemaker. I never knew him to utter a word of hatred against any person under any circumstances. He was one of those who depreciate harsh judgments and cast the mantle of charity over glaring faults. In the second place, I have always regarded Mr. Masterton as an eminently trustworthy man, one who would guard and fulfill to the utmost any trust confided in him, absolutely unmoved by menace of personal danger.
These impressions of his character, formed through many years and shared with me by those who have known him longest and best, have been confirmed by the circumstances connected with his tragic death. When Mr. Masterton left his home on the morning of Wednesday, May 3rd, to keep an appointment with the man who years before had threatened to kill him, his family tried to dissuade him from going. But Mr. Masterton disclaimed fear and expressed only charity and kindly feeling toward the man who was so soon to take his life. Such fearlessness and such charity are exactly in keeping with all I have ever known of this lamented man. The public at large will have seen the statement of Mr. Plumb before any countervailing evidence can be presented, and first impressions of a controverted case are hard to be eradicated. I therefore feel it to be a privilege to present from the vantage-ground of a prolonged and familiar acquaintance a simple testimony to the personal worth of Alexander Masterton.
At the time of Mr. Masterton's death all circles in Bronxville adopted resolutions of sorrow and sympathy. The following was the tribute offered by the consistory of the Reformed church, the document bearing the signatures of the pastor, elder and deacons of the church:
Mr. Alexander Masterton has been identified with this church and with the consistory from the very beginning. On the 5th of November, 1850, at the organization of the church, he was chosen by the people to be one of the deacons, and he became at the same time, by vote of the consistory, its clerk. In July, 1861, he became an elder, and he continued to serve as elder and as clerk until his earthly life closed, on the 8th of May. He has been our efficient clerk for nearly forty-nine years. The history of our church was embodied in his life, and he was himself a large part of it in every one of its departments, giving bountifully to its funds and husbanding wisely its resources, bearing its burdens at times almost alone, and co-operating most heartily with those who from time to time came, in the providence of God, to be his associates. He was wise in counsel, sweet in spirit, strong in faith, fervent in prayer. We have been much refreshed by his company, and while we shall often sigh for the touch of the vanished hand and for the sound of the voice that is still, we are deeply grateful to the Blessed Head of the church that it has been our high privilege to take part with one so devout, so winsome, so Christlike in the management of the affairs of this church. May his mantle fall upon us. We say to ourselves as we remember how suddenly he was taken from us, " Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh."
We commend the household, bereaved of their head, and especially do we commend our beloved sister in Christ, the desire of whose eyes have been taken away, to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build them up. We crave for the church of Christ, in the care of which we have been associated with our departed brother, precious faith like his and singlehearted devotion to the Lord's work. The blessed dead, we know that they rest from their labors; may we see their works following them. May he, although dead, yet speak for Christ; and may many follow him even as he followed Christ.
The following tribute is from Francis Bacon, one of the life-long and intimate friends of the deceased:
By the death of Mr. Alexander Masterton, the Reformed church of Bronxville, New York, as well as our entire community, have suffered a terrible loss. He was the senior elder of our church, the superintendent of our Sunday-school, the treasurer of our village and of our school board. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all our community. I cannot refrain from giving my testimony as to my personal loss„ and my high esteem of my friend. I have known him for nearly forty years. For nearly thirty years I have been associated with him in the consistory of our church, and in village and school affairs. To me he was the embodiment of all that was good. His whole life taught purity and peace. He would sooner suffer than resent an injury. Faith in God, and his own pure heart, gave him strength to meet the man alone who had previously threatened his life, and was planning to murder him. He was willing to meet this man who wrote, " Let bygones be bygones," while inviting him to his death. It is appropriate to the memory of my departed friend to quote: " Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
The following paragraphs give the text of the resolutions passed by the board of education and the trustees of the village of Bronxville:
School District No. 2, Town of East Chester.
TUCKAHOE, N. Y., May 9, 1899.
Mrs. Alexander Masterton:
