The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-03
STiTEN ISLANDS RHYMER DEAD.
stapieton's Queer Tailor Failing Asleep Over
BOOK and TumbIIng Into the Bay.

For the last seven years singular char
actor lived in Stapcton. Staten Island. He was
an IrisNman. numed Henry T. Gordon and q
tailor by trade. He was sixty-seven years OF
age this year. was well read. and fond Of con-
vcfsing with his nci.hbors on the topics OF the
day. Being skilled workman he was able to
support himself. and yet find time to rcnd the
newspapers and books. Books were his inscp-
arabic companions. and he always carried one
in his pocket. He would wander along tho
beach nearly every day. and sitting on the string
piece OF pier would pore over some favoritc
volume. Occasionally lac foil asleep ovor its
pages. and was warned by his friends of the
danger Of falling into the water.
He was the smart st man Oh Staten Island"
said friend speaking OF him yesterday.
There was not much that he did not know.
Why, he talked like n book"
He had some literary attainments and wrote
well. Many Of his writings and poems were
published in the Staten Island Leader. They
are full OF neurological allusions and quota
t9ns. showing the extent Of his reading
He was opposed to drunkenness. hut was fond
Of drinking. occasionally taking. perhaps n
little too much. On last Sunday night he was
In this condition, and friend saw him part Of
the way home, He was fully able to care, for
himself. On Monday morning he seemed ia
well rs usual. and he wont down TO his custom
ary position on the steamboat dock. his favoritO
reading place. He was last seen ut . o'clock.
His body was found at noon. floating in the
shallow water OF the beach. His book, Kirt-
lands English Grammar. was found in his
po ket. II Ia supposed that. being weary from
Tho previous nights dissipation. he feil aSiccp
on his forehead. Coroner GAffney held an in
quest and the verdict WAS accidental death.
The last time that Mr.. Gordon was cons picu-
ously before the people OF staten Island was in
the full. The temperance excitement WAS then
at lis height Nightly meetings were held in u
large canvas tent. and converts were many
Some OF the speakers denounced liquor dcnlers
and drinkers in the most bitter language. This
angcrcd Gordon. who thought il was unfai
Tho tent was on swampy ground. GOrlou pub
lishcd poem In the Staten Island Ledie' Of
Oct. q. a part OF which was as follows:
Come down to the swamp. boys
Come down g. the swamp.
Boin chilly and damp,
The mosquito IKE satan
Buzzs around on the wing.
To -iVc you sting.
They tell YOU to drnk
l. horrible sin
That INTO Chii.t's kingdom
you'll never rctiu
Aud The man who VII IN,
Arr both on the strHirht rvSd
That leads them TO hell
Laws may he enacted
Rgi While ~ have moary
Wc'l set drink enptiEh
And preacher. maS prscA
wi, reacf tl, droeis ''' IVY
" u ou ind the place.
TNi~ disturbed the temperance ~ Opl". and
ON. of them changed Gordon- Vciso So as t.
uillr it read quite differently. and published
tn par DIV iu the LeGier. Gordon commcntei
on III j.. saving: II Is great mistake to sup
pose am "a advocate OF drunkenness. 1 wrote
the pee ia utter q, risOn of the mon and the
manner IN which the Temperance subject *
treated They pretend ~ be- Christian minis
tors. aud the Christian spirit il to forgive. and
not to condemn. Now they send every one VINO
takes a glass t. universal condemnation in hell
a place which. in the opinion Of the moet learn
ed und deep searching mon OF the age has no
existence whatever except in the minds ~ tn t
enthusiast. visionary, fanatic. md bicUt. II
they voted il down 1t would spoil the business
o. the preachers. who hold ii ms "a whip to Msh
the simple. minded and credulous into servlc
suhectiOn."
In letter he says: Ny crood Is based on the
deep, searching investigations and wcil-under-
stood themes OF such men - Huxley. TyndHll.
and Draper"
His latest poetic effort WIS on hell In 1t he
denied future punishment. He rrUd II 10 fow
friends. tut II was not published He made no
enemies ana had many friends who will follow
him TO the grave with SORROW.