The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-04
JAS. s. R0CKWELL'S DEATH.
ONE or BROOKLTN'S FINEST HOMES
FILLED WIN DISEASE
a Millionaire who had studied sewer VentI-
Iation IL believed TO Have Fallen "a VIctIm
to the Deadly Gas In His Own House.


Millionaire whe had studied sewer Veuti-
Iation t. believed 10 Have Fallen "a VIctIm
to the Deadly Gas In His Own House.
Mr. James s. Rockwell, the millionaire
leather manufacturer OF Brooklyn. died Mt noon
yesterday in his residence. at Montague Ter
race. Brooklyn. Of scarlet fever. IIo had been
sick only three and half days. A week ago yes
tcrday his favorte graudchild. Kate Rockwell
Carhart died in his home OF scarlet fever and
diphtheria. and on Monday she was buried
from the house privately. The mother OF tho
child. Mrs. Fannie Carhart. widow of tho late
James ID. Carhart. Jr.. was stricken with dph-
iberia. as was her infant sou. who had scarla-
tina in addition. The nurse Of the children has
also been seized with diphtheria. The house
has boon filed with disease for three weeks. Mr..
Rockwell contracted the fever from his grand
child. 10 whose sick room he paid many anxious
visits. At first there was n diphthcritic tendency
in his illness. and he was utterly FRUSTRATED.
but all OF the exudations of this disease passed
away and tho scarlet rash indicating the pres
ence OF tho fever which bis physicians dreaded
appeared on Wednesday. Dr. Chapman called
In Prof Armour DIR. Alonzo b. Clark. and Prof.
Flint to consult. All were surprised Mt the pres;
ence ol scarlet fever In a person so old, and
when DIR: Chapman related Mr. RockwelPs
physical history. calling attention TO his I'M
disease WIS conceded. The patient. however.
was ignorant Of his own danger. although he
remained conscious up to within few hours OF
It is believed that Mr. Rockwell was victim
OF sewer gas, as thore Is no other explanation
kept indoors for some time before. His
residence is one Of the, finest in Brooklyn.
len hand side. approaching Wall Street Ferry
and opposite that of Mr.. A. A. Low. Mr.. Rock
well had II built nye or six years ago, on plans
pann N ~ m al nVWn n
building could supply. Tic plumbing. es,
so doubtless II was In material and construc-
tion. The house. however. Is situated on the
man street, which, on that side. has a stone
wall. running up to tho yard Of the residence:
The sewer pipes OF tho house were carried
down TO tho Furman street sewer. at an acute
angle the soil pipe being large and direct In It's
descent. The theory Of the presence OF so much
| disease in house situated amid approved san
ithry surroundings is that the accumulated
gnses In the Furnan street sewer found vent
In this pipe. and filled the house imperccptbly.
a. they are net necessarily odorOus. The sewer
| pipes were trapped with patent arrangements.
| hut these precautions proved Intellectual. Mr..
| Rockwell was Interested In the question OF
| sewer ventilation. and some time before his
death no consulted with his physician about n
/ now plan.
His house was built and furnished at n cost
| OF nearly $4,000. and WINS its owners pride He
| was fond Of interior decoration, and had much
in his residence that was beautiful Mr.. Rock
wells want OF nervous force rendered him
easily overcome Accordingly to Tighten the
| labor Of going from Wall street ferry 10 his
house he and other residents 81 the Heights
similarly situated. had an awning built over the
| sidewalk leading from his house TO the ferry.
| He had also n private gate opening from the
| steps leading mp over tho tunnel. which he used
| and thus shortened his path home.
| MIR. Rockwell was the senior partner of the
| house 81 james =. Rockwell K Co, his partners
| being Mr.. j. G.. Bass and George Whiting. lie
| had Offices In Duane street beginning ut 10l. a
| largo factory ut Flushing and Gibson avenues
! in BROOKLYN. and tannery In Isle. Broome
| County. this State. He was born in Connect
| cut. his father being n tanner. He was about GO
| years OF age. and had lived In this State nearly
| forty years. He had no children. and his
| adopted daughter. Fannie, up 10 the time OF her
marriage TO James ID. Carhart Jr.. was the only
| member OF his family. The presence Of grand
| happiness. and he was lavish In his affection
ior them. He was member Of the congrega-
ton OF the Church Of The Pilgrims. His funeral
services will be cond Quoted in private. as Ia re-
CURED by the Board OF Health in the case OF
| infectious diseases. The interment IL To be in
| Greenwood Cemetery, on Monday afternoon.
| Mr., Rockwell's death leaves his home without n
| male member except an infant His SON in law
| james ID. Carhart. died suddenly last summer
| Of congestion 81 the brain, His brother, John
| i. Rockwell. and a sister. Mrs. Frederick She D.
herd. survive him.
Mr.. Rorkwell's wealth Ia estimated at from
| 81 100000 To t3,OOO.OOO. He was a director In
| the Brooklyn Trust Company. and was con
nected with other financial organ i2Ations.