New-York daily tribune., 1865-11-15
Suicide Of Preston King, Collector
Of The Port.
he Jumps From Hoboken Ferry Boat
and is Drowned.
The Body Not Recovered.

stoned by the sudden disappearance Of the Hon Preston
King. Collector Of the Port of New. York, from bis
rooms at the Astor House Monday morning aud the
fears Of his friends that harm had befaen him. came TO
most sorrowfn termination yesterday, by the know
edge Of his suicide By leapng into the Hudson River
however startling this announcement may seem Its
validity is established by circumstantal evidence.
THE PARTICULARS OF HIS DRAIH.
On Saturday, Mr. King returned to this city from his
home at Ogdensburgb. 81. Lawrence County, in this
State where he had gone to benefit his health. When
he left home he said he would be back in few days or
as soon as he had sworn an Auditor into Office. His
companion on his journey bither the husband Of his
adopted daughter, young man named Bridges who
lad been cautioned to look after the Collector as 1t was
feared then that he might commit some violent act
upon himself
Mr.. King was a bachelor and lived In apartments at
the Astor House aud II here that Mr. Bridges and
himself went. On.Sunday Mr.. King kept within DOORS
apparently greatly troubled In mind. In the evening
he retired with his companion both occupying the same
room dc was exceedingly restless in his sleep and at
o'clock got up and dressed. AT o'clock he started
TO leave the hotel when Mr.. Bridges asked him where
he was going He replied that he was only going out
for short walk Mr.. Bridges saw him turn the cor
ner Of Barclayst. toward the North River which Ia
r..
King is then supposed to have gone to the river and
taken the Tenth-ave. cars going up town. When the
car reached Christophersi he got of and walked TO
the ferryhou on the pier He laid his fare down on
the couRier at the entrance at the same time remark
ing to the ferry master that IL pleasant morning
Immediately after he inquired what time the boat left
for Hobokon. II then 10 minu.es OF o'clock and
he told that the boat would leave at nine. He re-
turned thanks DOR the information and passed through
into the ferry house When the boat reached the dock
be went aboard. but remained at the stern.
Hardly had the boat steamed beyond the piles which
project from the pier out into the stream when Mr.
King was seen TO remove his hat and quietly lay 1t
che deck and then throw himself from tho aft part Of
the vessel into the river The only witnesses TO this
act were two small school children. who as as
they saw Il related it 10 several of the passengers
the boat
HIS FRIENDS INFORMED OF HIS DEATH.
The FIRST intinaton that Mr.. Kings friends had Of
his death was brought by attache Of the Custom
House, Who overheard boy remark on board Of the
ferry boat in which he coming from Hoboken that
this was the boat from which the man jumped over
board He became interested. and made inquiries
about the matter and learned that the hat ofthe sui
eide was at the ferry house.
Strange 10 say his suspicious were
King of whose mysterious disappearance be was
aware. and ON seeing tho hat they corobOrated.
He Immediately communicated his fears ON his
arrival at the Custom. House to Mr.. Terwil
Tiger. the Private Secretary Of the Collector
who. on hearing tie news promptly insti
tinted measures to discover the truth Of the report He
in company with other gentlemen in the Custom
House proceeded directly TO the ferry and seeing
the hat they recognized II as belonging 10 Mr.. King
They saw the ferry.msster and from him obtained
full description OF the drowned which coincided
In every particular with the appearance OF Mr. King
The hat which they recovered is black silk felt and
isnow In the possession Of Mr. Thurlow Weed Search
u-as made for the children who saw Mr. King jump
from the boat, but up TO late hour last pgbt II bad
proved fruitless. 49,.
Persons o! long acquaintance with MT hlns ascripe
his ,uicde 90 the alteration Of his mental facues ana
the irving duties OF bis Office. Soon after he took
charge Of the Collectorshp be became dsprited and
frequently spoke In desponding way 10 ms ir'ends.
At times be alluded to the difficulties by whch nc was
besst nv and the constant worry to which
he was subjected. Frequent sns were brought against
Rim as the agent OF the Government for making tho
appraisement on imported articles too mgh Swnichn n
o,,e an unavoidable case and when these suits
occurred be aDOreu unucf 1"o As1PASo'NO-
were decided against bin ne would DC compeneu
20 refund the charge end pay the costs from ms
nr,yste purse He felt unessy on this account rom no
,se,ly motives bat afraid that he would be hnea
40 largely as TO imperii his bondsmen.
n aunt of Mr. Kings Mrs. Webster. writing nom
oudensbnrgh last week to Mrs. Tniotston. wne Oh
gentleman formerly connected with MI hlng I'D 'ne
ed.o,sb,n ~ Newspaper makes mention Of his errauc
S,iox and exnaips the cause. She says In the let
ter that many persons unacquaintea win iI'''vA
,,a be alarmed at his turns Of hightinessi pu' she
tnew that it was caused from Indigestion. she re-
red 10 the change in his diet In New'fork rom "na'
ba was used 10 at home. Mr.. King wes very
,,regular In his meals and was reckless ~ 10 tne
quantity or quality Of bis food ~ ;,
Alteration of mind or insanity was alspayed W
N, King ON an occasion previous to this last one
,.-,n ,he Canadian troubles Of 1888 he was accused
saI nv bis political enemies Of influencing the Amer
teams in their attempt TO invade British a"u
shIs faiure to relieve them from their perious PeS'
ron a, the windmill In the Uver opposite osuens'
s,'rob nv the consent Of Col Worth and Col fOung
OF tho opposing armies lie was permi''ea
y E,.,os,a t,,ose unfortunate Americans nom their
.aro,s situation and eBdeayored 70 carry OUT MS
.,. =, tbe best of his ability, but was deceived py ccr
go ,s,,as who persuaded the Americans TO remain
.,lre,bev were. Although Mr.. King was innocent OF
this accusation. It's baschesS oaussu
sanity and his confinement IN "e Asylum
A. Hartford, Conn. for three months. s
Mr.. KINGS DEATH IN THIS orf'
M. rs,ys t,,at Mr. King had committed smcloe