New-York daily tribune., 1865-11-16
HON. PRESTON KING.
Additional Facts About his Denth-lIe il
Drowned with n Weight Around his
Ncck-Thc Children who Witnessed the
Act Discovered-Dredgin ing the River for
his Body-A Temporary Collector APP
pointed.

The authentic report Of the suicide OF the
Hon. Preston King, Collector Of this Port. iu
the Hudson River on Monday, created in.
tense sensation throughout all parts of the city, and
cauged general feeling Of sadness at the melancholy
event Very little business transacted during the
earlier part OF yesterday the Custom House the
nonncement Of Mr. Kings rash death being sudden
and startling, and for time that model of well regu.
lated business establishment was in complete disorder
and confusion. Knots Of the attaches gathered
together by the tragic deed engaged in discussing
the news. and others speeuating upon the probable
reason the deceased had in destroying his life. All
were deeply panied and regretul that such caastro
phe should have occurred. Flags were at hatmast on
the Custom House and Assay office, and also on other
public buildings In the city, out of respect to the mem
my OF tho lae Collector while several vessels in the
Uarbor similarly arrayed 10 mourning.
Strenuous efforts were made yesterday by the friends
of the unfortunate toegean further Information OF
his sad and untimey end and at this they were sue
ccssfu TO certain extent. As the particulars OF the
tragedy printed in full in the morning papers they
were necessarily read by many persons, and among
Others by the very party who cognzant Of the fact
that a man had leaped overheard from the Hoboker
hrry boat before II had been made public. The person
IN question gentleman doing business in Sixth.aye
and the father Of the children who witnessed Mr. kinl
throw himself into the river. His name is Charles III
Macy. Although aware that a man had been dro"net
in the river he bad not the slightest mistrust who thai
person wes or MS station until yesterday morn
/ Ing Immediately sfter seeing account o
TIE affair in PRINT he called at the Custom
House ana there saw Mr. Terwil,iger snl
other genicmen to whom he related all that bis child
rem knew of the drowning. His version Of the affair i
thai they dbe children were particularly struck with
the appearance OF Mr. King when he first on the
boat and that they spoke Of him the funny looking
man The boat had hardly got beyond the dock when
they noticed him quietly take OF hs bat and place 1t on
deck then blew his noEe. and walk toward the edge
Of the vessel He unflsened the chain and passed by
IT, refastenng IT, and Immediately after cast himself
into the river feet downward. No one else being on
the aft deck with Mr.. King, except the children, they
were the only witnesses OF his act, and when il had
taken place both OF them gave the information 10 the
other passengers The boat was quickly stopped, but
no trace Of the body could be found.
| Mr.. q. j. Brown keeping gun store at No. 100
Westst aso called az the Custom House and gave fus
ther important Information. He stated that gentle
man answering exactly 10 the description Of the de
o'clock on Monday morning and made purchase OF %
pounds OF shot done up bag. The porter offered 10
carry the shot where he wished but Mr. King declined
putting him 10 the trouble of doing and desired the
porter 10 fasten strong cord 10 the bag. that he
could carry il around his neck whore It would be lid
by his overcoat The porter complied with Mr. Kings
Instructions aud he then left the store with the bag
Suspended from his neck and took the going up
town The parties IN the gun store did not suspect Of
anything beng the matter th Mr.. King at the tme
his manners being pleasant aud his conversation
cheerful
suitable measures were taken yesterday by the Sur
yevor OF the Port for finding the body OF Mr.. King
lug the bottom vi the river aud his body is anywhere
in the vicinity Of the locality where he jumped over
board will probably be recovered Cntll sufficient
time has elapsed for the recovery Of his body official
action will be taken 10 commemorate his memOTy-at
least this the understanding at the Custom House.
Considerable anxiety and interest is felt by the re-
sponsbe merchants Of the city in regard 20 the vacancy
in tie Colloctorship made by the death OF Mr. King
They are opposed TO having any mere politician I'll the
mace but require good business who understands
lis duties aud will perform them faithfully. in tue
meantime while the position is untitled Mr.. Charles T.
Clinch will act as Collector in accordance with the
order received by telegraph from Washington.
WAsHISGToN Nov. lJ 1865.
c. F. CLNcH, e'q, -i5'tam Collector and SIecdI Dcpnig
Custom ffOhss.
sR: Your letter informing Of Collector Kings supposed
death received n this event you will proceed ard perform
the duties Of Collector under the 22d section oi the Act
March 2, 1893. until otherwise ordered.
H. McCULLoCH. Secretary Of the Treasury.
Mr. Clinoh has been Assistant Collector in the Gus
tom House for number OF years. and thoroughly un'
derstands the position. The Act to which Secretary
McCuoch refers TO in his dispatch appointing Mr..
Clinch Assistant Collector. dd interim is as follows:
dte. and authorities vested IN him shall deyolye on hi,
Deputy Il any there be Of the time o such disability DEATH
to whose conduct the estate OF c disabled dccca ed
lector shall be- liable and. In default OF Deputy, the sad
authorities and duties -ha deyoe upon the Naval officer
tho district II any there be- and there be- Naval
Officer upon the Surveyor 0f tie Port appointed for the
residence OF such disabled deceased Collector # any there
be and none the Suyeyor Of the Port thereto
and within th. said district.