The New York herald., 1869-06-26
SINGULAR DEATH IN FIFTH STREET,
Man Dies from the Effects of Poison
Examination Before Coroner Keenan,.

Man Dies from the Effects OF Poison
= Examination Before Coroner Keenan,.
Singular and somewhat mysterious cases OF death
have been unusually frequent within the last few
weeks and another was added to the list yesterday
In the person of Mr.. Frederick Wettergreen. man
nearly sixty sixty years Of age, who boarded IN the
family OF Mr.. Setterberg. No. 2l9 Fifth street. Mr..
Wettergreen, very worthy aud amiable gentleman,
whose business that OF gliding. slvering bronz-
employ of the ManhattanIBrass Works Company cor
ner OF Twentyseventh street and First avenue. FOR
twelve years previously he had been extensively
engaged In business3in Bridgeport Conn.,, where he
amassed considerable means, providing those in his
debt mad paid up. Unfortunately however, FOR Mr..
Merefgreen ne could not collect ms dues, anu
taking their prOmssory notes, &C., and came to New
YORK. Early In the week he went to Bridgeport to
collect some money which had been promised HIM,
and returned on the boat Wednesday morning,
reaching hls boarding house at one O'Clock in the
afternoon. Mr.. Wettergreen complained TO- Mrs.
Setterberg OF having no appetite and feeling
somewhat badly, but not In manner to
excite her fears. Soon afterwards ne passed
from the dining room In the rear to the front parlor,
and soon afterwards proceeding TO his bedroom lay
down. This was not far from halfpast one O'Clock
T. NJ, and an hour later lady came In and MOTTO
ing MIR. Wettergreen on the bed remarked that he
looked pale and unnatural. She immediately COM
municated with Mrs. Setterberg and on making an
examination they found him to be dead. Coroner
Keenan, was subsequently notified. and on reaching
the house Wooster Beach, M. D., made post morrem
Ou tle DOuy uuu ulSCOVereu SllSnL us
ease OF the heart, but at first nothing discovered
to indicate the cause OF DEATH more thorough
examination, however, revealed the presence OF
prussc acid IN the lining membrane OF the stomach,
and ~ the opinion Of DR.. Beach deceased had taken
o Considerable Quantity Of poison. The two sons OF
deceased on being questioned concerning the death
OF their father stated that In the prosecution OF his
business he used quantities of prussc acid and other
acids OF very POISONOUS character, and believed he
had inhaled OF these pOisOns sufficient to cause
death. DIR. Beach, however. thinks differently, and
believes that quantity OF the poison taken into
the stomach at once. The sons OF deceased, who
are Intelligent and highly respectable appearing
young men, scout the idea that their father commit.
ted suicide that he had peculiar aversion that
KIND OF death. and that he mad no good reason for
terminating his own existence 1t Is stated that Mr..
Wettergreen had no troubles except Of apecuniary
nature. except that some persons whom he cherished
as friends In his more prosperous days had turned
their backs upon him wnen Overtaken by adversely.
This seemed TO humate him and make lasting
impression on his mind.
The stomach and contents of deceased were taken
to Dr. Harris, OF the Board OF Health, and placed in
the hands OF Professor Chandler, chemist to the
Health Board, lOr analysis, which Will be completed
as speedily as possible. jury has been en-
paneled by Coroner Keenan, vino adjourned the In
vestlgatiOn till Monday next, when probably the
mystery at present surrounding the will be dis
PEELED. AS yet there seems TO be no cause whatever
Tor SSpectlng that poison had been administered To
deceased by design. Mr.. WetGergreen, VINO was a
native Of Copenhagen, Denmark, was universally
respected and has left large circle Of friends and
acQuantanCeS to lament his death.