The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-14
MRS. JERSEYS DEATH.
WHO WAS THE sspocToR' THAT WAS CONCERNED
IN THE TRAGEDY ON THE PORT ROYAL
aruAMrp


IN rHH TRAGEDY ON THE PORT ROYAL
STEAMER?
The story Of the mysterious death at sea oil MIS-
John Jersey OF Spring Valley, Rockland county, n
Y. and the curious circumstances surrounding the
being gradually developed The deceased was
the wife Of wealthy farmer. by whom she bad
daughter who about year ago, was married 10 Mr..
Albert Hammond. son OF Dr. G. B. Hammond, of
Spring Valley. In November. 1875, Mrs Jersey camo
to New York for medical treatment She had suffered
for years with periodical attacks OF Mysteries
vulsons She not again heard OF definitely until
her friends received the announcement OF her
death few weeks after she came here they heard
she intended TO sail for Europe Florida but the In
formation did not como directly from her II appears
that shortly after she this city she called upon
DR.. Hammond, her daughters father nlaw, TO obtain
from HIM the remainder OF a large amount OF money
which she had intrusted him for investment This
sum was 81, 500 He gave her check on city bank
Toward the lattcr part Of November gentleman
giving his as Dr. Hamilton, called at the ONCE OF
Mr.. Herman Gclpckc, agent Of the Florida line OF
PURCHASED TWO PASSAGE TICKETS.
On the 2Sth OF November, when the steamer Cuba
as was also the lady Tor whom purchased the second
ticket No one on the vessel was
AWARE or ANY ACQUAINTANCE
existing between them. During the first night
at the lady taken with violent attack OF hys-
terra, screaming and crying loudly The stewardcss
who became alarmed at her condition. inquired "
thcre was a doctor on board In response Dr. Ham,l-
ton volunteered to see the sick woman. He inquired
OF her she was accustomed 10 having similar attacks
and what remedy her physician was In the habit Of
giving her She replied that she had the attacks fre
quently and that hor doctor used remedy chlsral
hydrate. He replied that he had some with him. and
administered a largo dose Of to her She
soon fell into sound sleep and was
20 Ss sen ss WAS ss
sleeping Her dress around the neck was dragged and
torn away, rs II In aD effort TO catch her breath
Around the neck and sides OF the face the flesh was
turned to grcenish yellow color This alarmed the
stewardess, who then summoned the captain Of the
shortly after At six O'Clock that evening Sunday,
the 29th the body was placed on tho hurricane deck
preaching a warmer climate. The body decom-
posing rapidly and was determined TO bury 1t, which
was o0ne rv OF one no on
Fcrnandina the effects OF the deceased lady sealed
up and placed IN charge Of the copanys agent at that
place The only clew to her identity was the name Of
Mary Baldwin, which was written in pencil on her
ticket In order to be enabled to communicate with
her friends her papers searched and among them
werc found several stamped envelopes addressed to
Mrs Albert Hammond Spring Valley, Rockand county,
n Y. Tho envelopes were evidently prepared in ad-
for in sending letters while travel
Ing letter was sent to this address relating the
circumstances OF
and seeking Information about her friends The trunks
came back New York await tho arrival OF proper
claimant In response TO the letter sent oy tie CON-
pany, Mrs. Hammond Mrs. JERSEYS daughter, came
company with her husband 10 New York, and
called at the company's Office. The agents OF the COM
pany, however, refused TO deliver 10 them tho
trunks as by law they could only properly be given
into the hands Of administrator, whcreupon they
returned to Spring Valley to obtain the papers
sary for the recovery OF her effects They appeared
before tho Surrogate OF Rockland county IN company
with Mr.. Jersey, the husband OF the deceased, and
applied for letters of administration. The Surrogate
considered Mr. Jersey incompetent, however, ana
fused to appoint him to act as administrators Of his
wifc's estate.
MT and Mrs. Hammond again returned to New York
and called the mpany's agent, whom II agreed
between the that the deceaseds property should
main in the compapy's hands during the time required
by law and when sold unclaimed baggage should be
bought in by them behalf OF the estate The great
anxiety the nrst place for tho recovery Of the bag
gage probably due to the fact that was supposed
10 contain
TIKI LARGE Sun OF MONEY
which the deceased HAD taken with her the CON-
pany's agents. however, who searched the baggage,
did not find the money. Tho detectives are busy ut
work solving the question oil what has become OF the
ST. 500 which she received from DR.. Hammond and the
whereabouts Of Dr. Hamilton are anxously looked for
with four friends at the house of gentleman Spring
Valley the day Mrs Jersey died at He, therefore,
could not have been the person who called himself DR..
Hamilton MS was by some suspected Las. week Or.
Hammond died suddenly at Spring Valley. He Loft
there Tuesday to join some friends in few days
shooting at Barneeas He by this city, where he
taken sick, and returned home the same evening.
He retired to room adjoining that OF his wife The
next morning the servants informed her that they were
unable TO the doctor, and that his door,
contrary to custom, was locked She sent for her son,
who burst in the door. The doctor found lying
a bed suffering from IT. DR.. d. ID. smith called
In and made every effort save his lite but death
shortly cnsued. Coroner Wcstervelt notified
jury summonco and the inquest adjourned until
the following week. Dr. Humphrey and DR.. Zabrskie
made post norton examination on the body, and
found the heart and brain highly charged with choral
hydrac II appeared that the deceased had been trou
bIcd with scepessness and was In the habit OF using II
to procure rest