The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-15

road horse and into the ferry house The man
paid his fare, asked few common place questions and
then went ON board the ferry boat Paterson, which
started few minutes later He states further that two
small children who were on board the boat the same
man. when about two hundred yards from tho New York
side, walk towards the stern Of the boat, take OF
his hat and set IL down the deck and then, while
closing his nostrs with his fingers jump from the stern
Of the boat aud sink Immediately Tue boys gave the
alarm and the boat was backed up as quickly posi-
BILE, but traces Of the could be found The hat
was taken by one Of the boat hands the
OF the ferry company and by him shown to Mr.. Kings
friends, who recognized II at once.
STATEMENT OF DECK HAND.
Abraham Ferguson deck hand board tho Paterson,
rst observed Che peculiarly strange Of stouy
built gentleman who stood the bow Of the
boat As the vessel neared the middle OF the
stream tho passengers who had been on deck be-
took themselves to the cabin, leaving the same M
dividual alone Two children, boy and girl, aged
respectively twelve and fourteen years. fingered about
the doors Of the cabin and kept their eyes hxed upon
the man whose singular appearance had from the FIRST at
tracted their attention Suddenly the unknown man was
seen Jump the chain cast one look back at the
boat, and apparently hesitate, and finally spring from
the deck into tho rushing beneath The little girl
ran screaming into the ladies' cabin The boy at once
saw shO OccAuo BeneTh anu III
instant the engine was reversed and all possible efforts
made to rescue the drowning But all search proved
in van and after time had been spent in fruitless
cndeavor the boat sped It's way, the passengers little
suspecng the identity of the who had hastily
departed this life.
SPECULATION.
Unnumbered were the reports to the which
led Mr.. King TO commit suicide Few II any Of his
friends were aware OF his recent illness and mental de-
rangement Some, therefore, argued that she
duties which he had been called upon to discharge since
the early days of September had caused him great
preston. Others suggested political troubles Neither
Of these statements Is true Mr. Terwillger, his pr
vae secretary declares that none OF the transactions in
the Custom House department could have had any effect
upon Mr.. Kings rash determination. His unceasing
labors however, might possibly have brought about the
temporary alteration of mind under which he must have
labored when death closed his career.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
The father Of Collector King along with Judge Ford
from the State Of New Jersey, were among the earliest
settlers at Ogdensburg arriving there about the year
1898.
It was hero that his son Preston King was born, Oc-
tober IA, 1906.
Mr.. King graduated with honor at Union College,
Schenectady, this State Soon after his return TO Og
densburg he commenced the study Of the law in tho
office Of Messrs Hasbrouck and Fine, two Of the most
prominent lawyers in the northern part Of this State.
Mr. King practsed law only few years in St. Lawrence
county, but during the time he was distinguished for
sound judgment and reliability About this time he be
the personal friend OF silas wright whose friend
ship he retained during Mr.. wrght's lifetime An si
dence Of this Mr. Kings course in the Baltimore
Convention in 1874 where no greatly distinguished him
self in the contest which defeated Martin Van Buren, in
order to nominate Silas Wright nomination which,
will be remembered was positively declined.
Mr.. Kings tastes rather led him into politics. his
was during General Jacksons first administration At
this time he bought the newspapers called the st. aw
renee Republican, started by W. W. Wyman, In 1927
also the st. Lawrence Gazette These two paper Mr.
King bought In 1880, and merged into the st. lawrence
Republican, he being the proprietor and editor for sgera
years, during which time that paper was the sr0gest
and most devoted supporter of General Jackson any
paper in the State except the Albany Argus He vas
always democrat from his boyhood up to about 1Ss3
when he Joined the republican party, account "
slavery, which he repudiated. As stump or public
speaker he was one Of the best in the country.
Mr. King Postmaster for while at Ogdensbnrg,
having succeeded Hon r. H Gillet. In 1884 he
elected member Of the Assembly, and reelected three
successive terms In st. Lawrence county. He was also
chosen member Of Congress three times, serving from
ls45 to 1861 and was subsequently elected Unted States
Senator for years from 1857 the Of Hon.
Hamilton Fish, and served until 1863 holding position
chairman of the Committee Revolutionary Pensions.
On his retirement from the Senate he resumed the prac
tice OF law in New York.
In 1894 he was sent delegate TO the Republican
Convention at Baltimore and prominent in obtaining
tho nomination Of Andrew Johnson the candidate for
Vice President the ticket with Mr. Lincoln. Alto,
the election and elevation of Mr. johnson the PREF
rhor Mr. ds.l
slant companion. While the President OCCUPYING
the residence Of Congressman Hooper, awaiting the
repair and Encouragement Of the White House, King
remained constantly with him, the two keeping oache
lor's hail." Although not member OF the Carnet MI
King said to have frequently been in atendnce a. is
meetings. and to have taken part in the deeraons Oh
its members The friendship between Mr.. ling ana the
President Of long standing and great cdiay ano
the formers late appointment to the important position
Of Collector OF the Port OF New York the rewZ
which tho friendly feeling Of the latter chose TO be-
ON him -, 10
Those who knew Mr. King personally know and a, |
was one Of the most kind-hearted, genial To feel
the same time sensitive men in the Ta mt f,y.
that there anything wanted w..h no his control
nsh or any fAvors to be yansea M sor. Of sad
always produced on % sensitive iee
ness or despondep~. s,..n,s sor ,pca
Tbs four ,sousand I'VE hunded Applicants w S'.o
a, tho custom House within ess tnsn '"o "o."'
say nothing Of the tricks and means resOrsed 70 os
fashionable ladies for irAucing Collector HING "svi
their favor.es sppop.nsn.s. have bad the effect
duciue mental allegation, which has caused MIN
commi, suicide IN this connection IL may DO proper,
state that in me year 1888, during the "patnot
a. IL was jailed. insanity produced in MI
mind r., false and malicious charges made by his
teal enemies who tried TO make him responsible -.
lives OF the seventeen young men who were hur."u
the one hundred and ffty sent TO Van Dieman :
all Americans The facts were these;-An 49,
xas entered into by Colonel subsequently V.v Q
w r worth. then commanding the frontier At nS-
,,rg and the British commander, Colonel w"oy
which the pickets within certain distance OF nv
min an the Canada side, OF which the Amerieset 70
session. should be withdrawn for cers party or "
hon, TO be sent over and bring an territory. iAs u
-iadth c Ccilae cnIntnandarsL | u