The New York herald., 1877-03-16
THE KINGAN MYSTERY.

THE KINGAN MYSTERY.
MURDER OR su1c1DE?--A BELIEF THAT Hz
WAS MURDERED AND RoBBED-TwENrY-FIvE
THOUSAND DOLLARS IN COUPON BONDS
SOME FACTS RELATIVE TO THE DEAD NAN
WHAT HIS DOCTOR SAYS.
The suicide or murder of Mr.. James Kingan, which,
ever it may prove be- the principal topic Of
versation among the members of the New York Pro-
duce Exchange yesterday. However they were d.
vided the cause OF death, on the question OF the
integrity business qualifications and honorable deal.
ings a merchant of the missing man an undivided
sentiment prevailed He known long and favoraby
as a cool, calculating operator and shrewd OF
business Quiet, silent and uupretentious In his
ner, his most intimate friends do
cided opnon regarding the extent of the operations
which ho interested. Since last Friday Mr..
Kingan has not been seen on 'Change, and tho FIRST
announcement that body answering to the descrp-
ton OF that of Mr. Kingan, with cards bearing the
name OF that gentleman, had been found the track
near Wexford station, the Inter Colonial Railway,
caused considerable anxiety in the minds o. his busi.
friends.
MURDER SUICIDE?
Various surmises aloat in regard to the NATTER
and opinions almost equally divided as to the
OF DEATH Those who knew Mr. Klngan intimately
of opinion that he murdered They think that
whatever ideas he had Of suicide If he entertained any
ut all were laid aside he determined to take
passage for Europe II is thought thar he carried
largo amount of money and this becoming known
10 some evil disposed persons, always the
watch for such desperate chances, they 'shadowed"
the unfortunate gentleman until opportunity
presented itself for carrying their terrible designs
into execution. The nature and peculiarity Of
the wounds inflicted. tho manner OF death. posi-
tion OF the body on tho track and other Cir
cumsances also suggest the belief that there has
foul play The empty pocketbooks, too, they claim,
indications that murder net suicide, blotted out
the life Of the unfortunate man. Those who believe IN
the suicide theory assign no reason why
he should commit such an act. Possessed of an
ample fortune, having the confidence aud respect OF
ali with whom he had business relations reason can
accepted Tor such terrible course beyond that 0t
INSANITY
THE BONDS HE AWAY.
In conversation with superintendent Walling at
Police Headquarters yesterday IT was learned that no
further concerning the death OF Mr.. Ktngan had
been asccrtained. The Superintendent, however, rc
ceived the information in the forenoon that on Friday
last at $25, 900 in coupon bonds OF the United
Mr.. Kngan. The District OF Columbia bonds were u
the following denomination aud nunbers:-$dOO each,
numbering from 26,61o TO 2GS75, inclusive, and from
States five per of 1881 Of $1,000 each, and
numbering IRON 2ls6lo to 2ls e13. Inclusive; 500
255, ,lss, 2344 All, 246,6l2 and 27O,47s. What dir:
position Mr.. Kiugan made Of this amount Of
money whether he carried 1t with him or
dis posed OF IL in some way before leaving the
CITY or whether II his person up TO short
time before or immediately after death Is STU mys-
once sent by superintendent Watng TO the princ-
pal cities OF the country and detectives were set az
work learn the circumstances attending kingan's
departure from the city. II IS the prevailing opinion
In public that the merchant was the victim Of
foui play II pretty CERTAIN should this theory be
borne out bonds Of which the dead merchant
despolled have not been disposed OF and
upon whoever perpetrated It, 1t learned that J.
D. Moore, the name under which Mr.. Kngan took
passage tor Europe that OF an old CLERK OF his.
ANOTHER KINGAN REPORTED MISSING
rumor current yesterday on the street that
another man, bearing the same name and resembling
Mr. Kingan in personal appearance, and a native Of
Chicago, also missing. For short time friends
cung the hope tnat the body found might prove to
be that person other than he whom their anx
ety centred upon, but close upon the heels OF this
followed the news that the numcers found upon
coats. mentioned in the despatch from St. John, cor
responded with the figures in the tailoring establish
ment where Mr. Kingan had his clothing made. This
is regarded strong proof that the body found Is that
A pRornrR's SAD MISSION
On Wednesday evening, on receiving the hrst intel.
ligence OF the sad event. Mr.. Thomas ID. Kingan,
brother of the missing man. left this city for the scene
OF the bloody episode, 10 take charge OF the re-
ascertaned from friend Of that gentleman yester
day that he also believed that murder not suicide was
A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.
general feeling prevailed on the street that Mr..
kngan had large amount Ol money on nlS person.
Some people figured II high as 0O,O0O, but TINS
amount Is deemed extravagant by those who knew tho
and his habits best They are, however, strong
in the conviction that he IN ust have had consdera
BILE sum with him. The theory that II murder has
been committed those engaged In the deed would not
LETT Oennd the $S 900 found the person ot the
dead Is dssipacd by the fact that the money was
in the pistol pocket, where 1t would bo supposed no
would carry so large sum. When the bottom
facts of the whole transaction are known Klngan's
friends feel confident that their theory o murder Tor
the sake Of plunder will be sustained.
HIS LOSSES
To what extent his business difficulties embarrassed
him could not be definitely learned. Even II MS
had been large II IS thought the means he pos
sessed would be more that sufficient TO avert anything
like For time past he acted strangely, and
his friends thought that "all not right with him.,
but the idea OF suicide never Tor moment entered
their minds.
KINGAN CO.
Mr. James Kingan was in years gone by one OF the
firm OF Kngan & Co., pork packers, Indianapolis.
There three brothers, and eacn OF the brothers
was at the head OF the houses established England.
indianapolis and New York. James was the New York
representative. The firm OF Kingan Co., lndian-
apolis, we'll known throughout the country, and
the enterprise and energy displayed In its management
made the firms name household word IN tina! city.
About two years since the firm dissolved and James
received Is said about 5000 900 his share at the
dissolution of the partnership. Since that time Mr..
kingan has been alone in his business undertakings
WAS INSANE
DR.. Hammond said yesterday that ne was kingan's
physician for time, and that he believed kingan was
Undoubtedly insane and therefore a ready prey to
designing persons when he met his tragic death Somo
two years ago Kngan came to him suffering from ner-
vous exhaustion, brought on by mental excitement
ana overwork in his hazardous spcculations. Dr.
Hammond treated him for u short while and kingan
recovered completely About month ago Kingan
returned The mental ovcr-excitement OF the two
years that had passed had again shattered his delicate
nervous SYSTEM and he gave unmisakable indications
Of dlsordercd brain. DIR. Hammond strenu-
ously urged him to cease all work. to stop
going down town, to travel ana amuse
HIMSELF and thus, through period OF complete rest,
restore his body and mind to their healthy, normal
equilibrium But It was Of no avail, and the inevitable
consequences ensued. 81 have no DOUBT said the
Doctor, ''that he under the influence oil mental alb
erration and you Will see. therefore, that he may
easily have committed suicide" The Doctor added,
renectivey, 'very few people die from physical
work, but great many are killed Dy mental over
excitement, and kngan OF this largo class. -
Kingnn's insanity, while IL would account Tor the
theory Of suicide, would, however, at the time
facilitate the designs OF murderous robber who dis
covered that he carried bonds of great value his