The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-16
TIE DEATH OF COLLECTOR KING.
The Purchase or a twenty-five Pound
Bag OF Shot.
II is Fastened to His Neck Previous %
Jumping Into the Water.
The Remains OF MIR. King Not Yet
Recovered.
nc Hn IA

No hdings oil the late collector have reached biz
friends who have gathered daily at the Astor House in
the earnest hope Of receiving intelligence a 70 biz
safety Unfortunately the incidents which have beee
CLEANED this day place the fact Of Mr. Kings death b.
yond Che possibility Of doubt
At an early hour yesterday morning Mr. Moreau, a
the firm Of Noresu Parker, grocers and commission
merchants doing busineFs No 150 West street. having
perused the Of the circumstances attendant
Mr. Kings death published the HERALD called upoH
Secretary Terwiiger and Naval Officer odel at the Gus
tom House. and made the following statement
Shortly before nine O'Clock on Monday morning
elderly gentleman, whose personal description was pre-
cse similar that Of Mr. King stopped in front Of the
store which Is located few doors above Barclay
street. Mr.. Moreau passed beside him and retired 70
the Office in the rear In the front part Of the stors
were his partner Mr. Parker Mr. Gemmell and por-
attached the establishment After few minutes
hesitation the stranger entered the place. and inquired
of Mr. Parker whether he had any lead for sale. Tho
the negative; but Mr.. Parker remarked
that they had dropshot. and pointed to pile Of bags
which placed the floor near the entrance ready
for delivery The stranger picked up one Of the twenty
live pound bags and inquired Its price, Mr. Parker said
that the which he alluded had already been dis
posed Of but mooned the to the OF the store,
where no exhibited ,several bags containing shot
of different calbre. As the stranger appeared
bag, the contents of which drop-shot No.
g. weighing twenty Ave pounds Having pad for hm
purchase the threw open his and attempted
10 place the sack in his right inner breast pocket Mr..
Gemne assisted him. and finally the bag concealed
within aud the garment closely buttoned. The
stranger then left the store and proceeded down West
street. remaining absent about ten minutes. He then
returned entered the place more threw open his
0vercoat and produced the bag Of shot He remarked
that the weight too great for him to carry In such
He accordingly requested the porter to hand
him string and assist him in suspeudng the bag Of shot
about his neck This DONE with The aid OF the
porter and tho sack, about twelve inches in length by
six in width, made at either extremity and
hung about the strangers neck in such manner
that il lay horizontally his bosom. The visitor then
handed porter fifty payment for tho trou
bic had TAKEN the porter however, declining 10 accept
the money The unknown then again buttoned his over
coat his breast in such manner that the bag was
fully concealed and quilted the store few minutes
later he doubtless took algbted ut the Chris
iopher ferry in time to board the nine O'Clock boat
The which transpred subsequent TO his departure
FROM this city are hut too well known; and Mr.. Gem
mes remark uttered few seconds after the stranger
had left the premises second time TO the effect
that 1.-The man had all the facilities for committing sui
IL he desired to do So to DO js'iaed by the
career
There he but little donb 10 the Identity or the
man who called on Messrs. Moreau Parker. The calm
and retceuce Of the stranger however would
ren,iy indicate that he not laborng under q
attack Of mental alteration but all experience shows
such To be the Of insane people bent deter
mined purpose The body Of the deceased will speedily
h. by the parties Who In connection with the
Harbor Police dredging the river the corpse must
have sunken the bottom and there anchored,
II were, by the weight of the shot.
Assistant Collector Clinch present performing the
duties but lately discharged by tbs lamened Collector
The formerly occupied by Mr. King is at present
closed aud those who brought In daily contact
with who has thus suddenly departed this life
when they remember the cheerful kindness OF thes
late associate The telegram from Washington directing
the Assistant Collector to take charge or Custom House.
for the present render possible that tho Collier
torshp will not be nled for some weeks 10
NIX. q. r. CLINCH TO ACT COLLECTOR or VIZ
PORT.
WASHINGTON Nov. Is, 1867
Already numerous persons have been suggested for
the New York CoIlccorslp, but the President will NOS
Immediately make appointment for that Office In
the meantime Mr. G. p Clinch Assistant Collector and
special Deputy under the law Of 1892 will act Col
iector Of the port of New York.