The New York herald., 1879-11-25
IDENTIFIED IN THE MoRGUE.

SAD END OF RETIRED MERCHANTS YOUNGEST
SOMA LIFE DLLGHTED BY THE WINE CUP.
mans body found floating in the North
River at the foot Of Twenty-third street Sunday
morning. and was subsequently conveyed to the
Morgue. In the pockets were found pawn ticket
for pair Of shoes for 81 50 two keys. penknife
button hook and piece OF rubber. Decomposition
had rendered the features unrecognizable. Yester.
day morning gentleman called at the Morgue and
viewed the remains Ho thought he detected strong
resemblance to missing friend. A few articles Of
wearing apparel seemed to be familiar. but the gar
ments mostly uurecognizable. Upon the
handkerchief. however. stamped, in India ink
the initials F F. c." On this discovery the gentle-
man, who was busy in ovcrhauling the clothing Of
the deceased, could not conceal his emotion and at
once unhesitatingly proclaimed that the body
that of his brother-in-law. Floyd +. Curtiss. De-
ceased had been y most estimaDle young man. we'll
educated and respectfully connected. His father,
Paul Allan Curtiss. is u retired merchant who for
number of years was an importer OF silks and vel
vets in this city. Owing to advancing age, and hav
ing amassed fortune, ne abandoned business pur.
suits. The venerable gentleman resides at No.
500 Lexington avenue with his wife and unmar.
ried daughter. Here, also deceased, who the
youngest OF large family resided up 10 three weeks
ago. He graduate OF u Connecticut college,
and having taken the highest honors his parents
tertained great expectations regarding his future
THE DOWNWARD PATH.
He rapidly drifted into the society which is to be
found in club life. and in that manner contracted
hours in a mau9lin condition Desiring to establish
him in business, situation was procured for him
clerk with William H. Buckley, Custom House
broker, and he held it for years. Lattery how
ever. his habits OF dissipation had grown upon
him that he had not been able to attend to business.
He was always sociable and tempered and
never. it is said, was known to quarrel. His aged
mother. who is in infrm health never abated in her
atectiopate socitude the unfortunate young
She tried every possible means to reclaim him, and
ut times he would remain sbstemious and devote
himself to his college stTdies but it not often
that he could resist the temptations of the cup.
Frequently he would pawn his jewelry and even ar
ticles OF dress. About election time he broke
through all social restraints and plunged headlong
into intemperance. At two O'Clock the afternoon
of the 5th inst he left home his parents and sister
knowing nothing of his movements until the fol.
lowing Friday, friend called at the house
and reported that he had seen deceased in Madison
avenue. SO TAR al known this is the last that
of him. 1t is supposed that while n OF his
OF the proximity of the and walked to his DEATH
Mr. Curtiss married, and was thirtyone years
of age last month. His body removed fro M the
Morgue the former homo of the deceased yester-
day afternoon, and Coroner Croker having viewed
the remains granted burial certificate.
YOUNG MANS
Six years ago the young mans father sold tho
where deceased was born. for S6O.O00. and moved
into the present dwelling, No. sos Lexington avenue
This WAS done for the purpose OF weaving the un.
fortunate young man from his youthful companions
in the neighborhood who encouraged him in his
evil pursuits His brother-n-law. rho identified the
body. resides at No. Ill West twelfth street. and is
cashier OF the Exchange Bank. al Chambers street.
A brother of Mr.. Curtss we'll known
broker in Wall street. but not succeeding in business
retired to private life.