The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-15
MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.
DEATH OF PRESTON KING.
~~->~--~~~~~.~-~~~>~~~>~.
Supposed Suicide Of the Collector Of
New York by Jumping into
the North River.
-----~~>~~~->>~->~,>~>.
His Recent Illness and His Last
Days in This City.
N@.#t
DKET0H OF HIS IIFH.
TIE FEELING In WASHINGTON.
&c. &c. &c.


no NEST intense excitement prevaed throughout the
city yesterday afternoon when morp first apparently
founded and subsequently but too well authenticated,
current the effect that the Hon. Preston King,
Collector Of the PORT had committed suicide by jump
hg ino the river from the deck Of the Hoboken ferry
Boat Paterson while laboring, tits supposed under s
~ temporary insanity. Known TO the business commu-
niy and TO she political world but recently an inmate
Of She Aston House and an occupant Of q prominent
gsvernmenal position is surprising that tho sad
uAsngs Of Mr.. Kings demise should have caused great
excitement and sincere regret
HIS sOJoURN IN THIS CITY.
r. King, since hts arrival in New York and his occu
pancy Of the Colectorshp, the tenant room No
II Astor House This apartment, which in days by
gone had been honorsd by the presence of Daniel Web
ssr, was left by its latest inmate Monday morning
hst and since then glad tidngs of his safety have
shesred the hearts Of his friends
On his appointment to the o3co Of Collector Of the
Psst by President johnson Mr. King came to this city
and selected the room vacant in the Astor House
- his headquarters the apartment having Just been
Quilted by Thurlow Weed There received his visitors
I'D spent the few hours which not monopolized
~ the discharge Of the onerous duties imposed upon
hin.
HIS ILLNESS.
Some ten days previous to the 14th inst Mr. King lis
stated had not been in proper mental condition attend
~ his usual business at the Custom House having shown
undoubted syntoms Of alteration Of mind To prevent
any serious trouble he placed in charge Of Mr..
Bridges gentleman who hsd particular interest in his
welfare, being connected with his family by marriage with
tAs daughter Of relative portion Of last week
va spent at 0gdensburg, where Mr. King usually re-
seded Immediately upon Mr.. Kings arrival he tele
uapAed 70 friend whom he had left in New York
- come and meet him u Ogdensburg. While stopping
y this place M Kings friends more than ono occa
Ion noticed ths singularty Of his conduct and il is
dated nat enc night he paced TO and fro In his apart
nsatfsr several hours alternately locking and unlock
iag his door. After his return the Astor House he
was sim 20 deranged that Il deemed imprudent to
have him alone, and Mr. Bridges constantly In his
company Hopes were still entertained that his illness
wsdA prove 70 BE- temporary, and that in days he
would be favored with better health These hopes
nos well founded.
On Sunday last Mr.. Kings conduct was unusually
s6aase He was excited, and his language and actions
were most eccentric. During conversation which en-
Sasd with Mr.. Weed, who visited him frequently,
~. King proposed, apparently IN earnest good
NTH that they should adjourn from
No. II, where they were sitting, TO the roof Of
the Aston House and take sail through the air. His
vtsh was not gratined and he was finally quieed and
subsequently retired to rest STILL however, under rigid
surveillance Il was decided that Of his relatives
sAsuld sleep in the apartment he occupied for the
yess purpose Of taking Of the invalid and thther
H. Bridges accordingly accompanied him.
HE LEAVES THE AsToR HOUSE.
While Mr.. Bridges was still asleep Monday
hg towards three O'Clock Mr. King rose, dressed
himself and left the house, subsequently returning
ed reenterng his room. At about hal. past seven
o'clock he donned a heavy travelling overcoat, his
1as and gloves and again quilted the apartment
M uatic of vof
Instead Of passing directly the Broadway entrance to
ne Aston House he made his exit at the vesey
hdes private earcase lingering at the top of the stairs
Ter some minutes - though hesitatng TO the
% pursue. The servant who duty in the hallway
hat morning noticed these peculiar movements but
1hought that Mr. King merely endeavoring reco
Sses whether or not he had fastened his door,
natter concerning which he very particular. From
- moment Of his disappearance the side door OF the
Aston House On Monday morning nothing has been seen
q the Collector In that vicinity. Whether he took
carriage, ~ he remarked he intended do, or whether
- walked or rode in the Hoboken ferry Slip are
cs sti shrouded In impenetrablc mystery gentle
0An, however, stating that he him emerge from a
3adoon River Railroad car When Mr. Weed knocked
= Ne door Of Mr.. Kings room ts occupant had do
Daeted could the inquirer CLEAN any information as
= No vhereabouta
5H1 1xcrrEHnsr At THE Aston HOUSE.
Ne sudden sad unaocountabls disappearance Of Mr.
2ng W. productive Of intense excitement Though 1t
- 0s events which preceded his departure were not
swA 10 The public the Incidents OF his illness soon b.
Ons familiar 70 all and, consequence the efforts Of
- sssct few who attempted TO keep the community In
00pey ignorance OF the facts Of the proved ep
0Ssy snavaing But while the absence Of the Collector
y1ishsd subjects Of conversation the business men
~sss1gAsss the city, his friends took Immediate mca-
enzs y ascertain NE whereabouts Of the missing man.
N Jshn Young, Of the detective force notified Of
Hs aspssasancs Of Mr. King and dispatches sent
A6 Lawrence county, TO Washington and TO ether To-
sauss In which the sbsent had resided different
on& Meantime the rumors were constantly becoming
0ose numerous and lees we'll authenticated One report
- 70 he effect that Mr. King had been during the
~ In Vest street, without hat overcoat; another
- forth a he had autographed 70 his private secretary
1Fsn bis house at 0gdcnsburg; third that his body
I'D been discovered In the river at Hoboken and that
NJ Coroner was just then engaged In holding inquest
upon the same None Of these storics when inquired
INTO by careful men, were proven 70 contain q
uodicum Of truth But one fact was csiablished-thc
disappearance Of Mr.. King.
THE TRUE STORY.
Out OF tho many rumors current one was found 70,
Sssssss some share Of likelihood. From sournst Mr.
known 10 was ascertained beyond ally alteration or
King, hboring possibly undece Of the Hoboken ferry
mind, had jumpaal had persisted before be could be
taat R'-rns body thus far has not been recovered
S..,sdav Nh Weed and detective officer proceeded TO
= IAN m quest Of . clue TO the whereabouts OF the
'sas -ispd. II was there that me sup)oined Facts
Nsrs ssansdn the two children who saw Mr. King
tnp INTO the w@~. and the statement Of the ferry
Aasss With that OF the uss hands board the Paer.
80 leaves few more details 70 p~ -~nplied
STATEMENT OF TEE rKRRYHAs-su
~. p q Canpball, ferymaster, who was on os'y IN
- 0Anssophss sssst ferry house on Monday morning,
fpdes@ sAss u lev minutes before nine o'clock man,
SAso ~ asssnbss being sout thick sst with smooth
eNanaeV barr ssusss,ly dsssssA - sua u bscs y
huA1GNse saaA ~ ~ y AlGs yssH ysaA