The New York herald., 1878-10-04
DEATH BY MORPHINE.

DELIBERATE SUICIDE or WILLIAM g VAN
DyKE-A PAST GRAND MASTERS DOMESTIC
TROUBLES.
Miss Kate Flynn, housekeeper Of the Central Hotel,
corner OF West and Desbrosses streets while making
hor rounds at half-past seven O'Clock yesterday
Ing found that gentleman who occupied a room on
the top floor did not respond 10 her summons Open
ing the door with tch key was horrifed to
hold tho occupant lying dead IN bed. she hurried
down stairs and reported 10 Mr. Brown, the proprio
TOR. That gentleman proceeded to the room indicated
and there found the body OF William 8. Van Dyke,
rigid in death. The body lay In natural position.
He had retired tor tho night and was partially covered
by the bed clothes On the dressing table lay open
letter clearly revealing the nature OF the mans
death. IL reads as follows:-
Nkw YoRK. Oct. .. ss7s.
WEDNESDAY EvkSING, O'Clock.
To waox IT MAY coScEMS:-
can be oand my left forearm n India ink nave used
my utmost 80 obtain but without
which /. mors than cam sSdars In prsisisnss 70 iiS
my prs.en, eond.ion feel to me that woaa sweet
.. = % s'a;,
& Ii meet b a.
last. / have wife and four children viii give
wife. Jennie NJ. Van Dyke. ss Commerce street,
Ny only SOU Isaiah L. Van DYKE sedalia Petts county
t.e daughters Mary y. and Elsie Van Dyke Forrest
.Xnnls L. Van Dyse. No. a2s Spring street. Now York
Ih.vo four Drosher.. Cornelius B. Van Dyke No.
: D i :
ac1s. w.:s q, and streets No"
PLEASE nosy James Potter No. SO ve'sy street impo-
o6sssS ss:sasss. ..'sss %..Anssos ION
lo7 and A. this CITY. bury me in their plot YORK Bay
MOTIVE OF rnE SUICIDE
On adjoining table another iotter, addressed
10 James Po,.er.sNo 81 vestry street, This was pr-
vaie and explained the motives which leo the de-
ceased TO take his life 1t read as iolows:-
received a letter yesterday from wifo which has
msiorsanes ay ws's isiseS and mother are t" slams
for The estrangemsnt and trouble between mo and
S; .hs when
fnadephia and this city You WIN that the officers
In buryng me.
Deputy Coroner Macw hinnio made the necessary
Official investigation IN the case, ana subsequently,
granted permit OF burial. rhe rcmains were con-
veyed 10 the undertaking establishment Of Laake &
Eagan, in Spring street, Mr. Ieake being connected
with the dead man Dy marriage. rne corpse
was enclosed IN . plain pue coffin. When
VIM DYKE Nj. Lcake said tnat tho otter con tanned
all that was be said He was OF unsound mind lor
pursue q wandering and erratie life away from his
family. HIS vile was devoted TO him, and Whenever
II was possible helped him along, as no mad done
business Tor long time previous to his death Mrs.
Van Dyke and q daughter Of her husband BY iormer
vile guests OF Mr. Leaks. 80
WHAT PRIEND SAYS OF
gentleman who had known the unhappy man
Intimately spoke OF him IN tnc following tsrms:-
s'He was man Of unblemished character ana repu
tation. At the time OF hts death no aoout fily
years OF ago. He was born In New Jersey and
comes OF KncKsrbocker family. Up 10 three
years ago he the furniture business In this
city and was well known among business men. He
Past Grand Master OF York LODGE whicn
meets In the Livingston Chamber AZ the Masonic
Temple. Last Tuesday he camo TO and
gave mo money to pay his dues. He was then to ali
know that bis troubles did not arise from any pccu-
mary difficulties Family discord was the of 1t
all. Two years ago he went West and remained in
Texas and Wisconsin until last August when be re-
a sum Of money In the safe Keeping
Of Mr.. Brown and drew upon il as
occasion required. He lived with hts wife a snort
time In Philadelphia. He then this city and
lko 70 him and ne was forced 10 i've apart from
them. In my opinion this preyed upon MS mind aud
caused him to commit the rash deed"
The Master OF York Lodge and the Senior Warden
called at The Central Hotel yesterday to cla IN the
body, but Mr. Leake had already taken II In charge
In company with Mr. Potter, The two Masons went
the York Bay Cemetery In New Jersey, and aid out
burial place, whore the body will be inferred to-day
PREPARING THE DEATH DOSE.
It appears that Mr.. Van Dyke went about his self
destruction with great de0eration. He had visited
several drug stores and purchased al each small
quantity OF morphine pills Having collected suifi-
past seven O'Clock Wednesday night He Joined in
social conversati0n with number oil the guests and
retired to his room about nine O'Clock: During his
sojourn he always Tor his steady
pills Immediately alter retiring.
An inquest VIII be held IN u lew days