New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-23
SUGGESTIONS OF FRIENDS.


told him that from their knowledge of Mr.. Blake
md his business they sure that be had not
committed suicide; that his death was certainly ac-
eideptal certificate of death was issued. and the
cause of death was recorded as drowning. Coroner
Ellnger held consultation with Superintendent
Walling and asked for assistance in clearing up
the mystery. The Superintendent said that
all he could do was to send ont an
alarm to the captains the West Side
of the city. asking them to make inquiries among
the patrolmen and residents to learn if man an-
swering Mr.. Blake's description was seen near the
river between 1890 p. IN. and 1870 q. m. Sunday
night aud if so, what his condition was. 1t is ex-
pected that replies will be received to-day.
Captain Wasbburn, of the Twentieth Precinct,
said Yesterday afternoon that he had learned moth
ing more about the mystery. He thought 1t was
possible that Mr.. Blake. while under temporary
alteration strolled through Forteth-st and accden
tally fell into the river, All the circumstances sur
rounding the discovery of the body pointed to the
theory of suicide. Although the friends claim that
there was no motive to induce Mr.. Blake to
take his own life, vet the Captain
thought that they might sometime
recall something Mr. Blake had said which appeared
trivial at the time, but would now serve to show
that he had contemplated self-destruction To sup
port the theory of accidental death, Captain Wash
burn said that the man could easily have walked
into the water while strolling the north side of
Fortieth-st. At the end of the sidewalk the
north side of the way there is little mound of
ashes and dirt, over which is path leading to the
water. A plank walk reaches from the mound to
the water, and person whose mind was weighed
down by trouble or deep thought might not notice
that the plank walk led into the river. The fact
that Mr.. Blake's head was covered with tar con-
firms the theory that he fell into the water on the
north side of the pier. because the bottom of
the river at that point is covered with tar
from the gas works above The body was found
south of the pier but it must have oated under the
pier with the tide
Fortieth-st is filled with abattoirs near the river
Men in the slaughterhouses at all hours of the
day and night. Between IL and a. m. butchers |
usually 90 to the abattoirs for meat and it is |
thought that if Mr.. Blake went through Forteth- |
st. he would have been seen; yet the Captain be-
heved that owing TO the crowded condition of the |
street man might pass through it unnotced. Many
Of the butchers. he said, welldressed men, and
. stranger walking through the street would not
attract particular attention. Forty rstst has very
few. houses in it, and person could travel through
1t at any hour of the night and not be seen.
Frederick Fl. Belts. patent lawyer at No. 12O
Broadway, who has been acquainted with Mr. Blake
for many years. said yesterday he did not entertain
for moment the idea that Mr. Blake had commit
ted suicide. Mr. Belts saw him last week. and he |
seemed then to be IN excellent health and spirits
He bad grown very cOrpulent in later years, and if
his death had occurred several months ago under {
similar circumstances Mr. Belts said that he might
have thought it happened in consequence of APP 0
oplectic attack He possessed cheerful tempera. y
ment, and was not the man to commit suicide. Mr.
Blake had been connected with important cases in
patent litigation for ten years. was very popular \
among his associates, and possessed fine literary
taste. d
Edward N Dickerson. jr.. patent lawyer was y
seen by TRIBUNE reporter at his house, No. "a g
East Thirty fOurth-st. With his father who is now =
In Florida, he has known Mr.. Blake for years in n
patent litigatOns. Mr.. Dickerson said he met Mr. u
Blake in Broadway Friday when he appeared to be in
the best of spirits He argued before Judge Batchord
the day. and the udge remarked afterward that
he had never known the lawyer to acquIt himself W
more ereditably Mr.. Blake had not an enemy in y
the world. and his relations with members of the ia
profession were very cordial. o.
Il do not believe" continued Mr. Dickerson, Ii
that his death was the result of an accident or NJ
suicide. believe he killed. don't pretend to
prove this but cannot accept any other theory r.
lfter carefully considering the He never OF
howed the slightest symptoms of mental aberra- ~
ION. and never drank enough to affect him. He 81
vas accustomed to walk to his Office in MuTay-st.,
nut be certainly wouldn't select such q spot the
'icinity Of Forteth-st. pleasant place for u
walk. He had occasion to the North River. az
rhe only person be knew the river was Pro- u
ossor Morton, who was in Philadelphia Moreover. il
10 would have gone to the Twenty-third Street
Ferry for that purpose. man heavy he r.
would not walk three-quarters of a mile to reach 10
uch rough ground. In fact, he wouldn't have
walked In that neghboIhood unless he were crazy,
nd his mind, as say. of the soundest. He
night have been 'sand-clubbed' and as he al
vas not strong and was unwieldy he could Il
lot have made much resistance His birthday was 2
sunday last and when he lef THE Office Saturday he j
emarked that he forty-seven years old and felt
artcularly we'll and happy. He got $25 IN the N
flee and had something a-doar in his pocket q
t the time The whole amount was found on his Il
erson. hope the mystery will be cleared up, and e
something effective In the way Of Investigation %
not done l shall be inclined to do something | n
nyself. This sort of thing Is getting to be too |
ommon. man gets into carriage after din ~ ~
or at Demonico's and the next day his body is RI
,und in the nyer." Mr.. Dickerson added that he th
ad expected to argue case Friday next against So
lr. Blake before Judge Batchford in the Circuit 70,
curt. to
Mr.. Blake's partner E. G. Thompson, said he al'
'uld not give any additional information that dis
light help to clear mp the mystery. He could not ag
link Of any that would lead Mr. Blake to tn
'mmit smoide. Mr.. Thompson said that he s Sn
I'd President Chandler, of this Board Of Health sell
emit several hours yesterday discussing the as ma
cts Of the case, which remained as much of a iT h
ystery as Mr.. Blake's practice was in ex. sec
llent condition and his homo life was very happy anC
appointments for this week. already report nd
related simply to ordinary professional engage am
:. by reason Of their routine cbarao,sr NJ - Bu
axes favorite walks were from his homo to the set