Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-10-06
DEAD IN A CHAIR.
A Millionaire Hermit Found uifa-
less.
Living Like Pauper in the Midst Of Plenty
Police Officers Who Feared to
Enter a Dwelling and
Retired.

NEw YORK, October 5.-DT. Phillip N.
Jones, q retired physician, we'll known in
Brooklyn, was found dead early yesterday
morning in the bathroom OF bis residence
at No. 277 President street, opposite Carroll
Park. The decsa cd was over seventy years
OF age and was said 10 be worth over mil
lion dollars. He was formerly widely
known as q physician in good practice, but
about twenty years ago on the death OF his
wife he abandoned his profession and be.
gan to lead a very secluded life. A few
years la'Sr he discharged his housekeeper
and 'iyed the life of hermit, never allow.
ing even those who had been his most init.
mate friends to pass his threshold. As he
VAS known to be very wealthy and us his
Habits Were Most PArsimonious
he gradually became known as the Mil.
iionnue nIser.' Every morning he would
leave bis home 10 buy few rolls for
breakfast and would eat a frugal dinner at
restaurant in the neighborhood. For
many years he made regular prsctice OF
going ut midnight 10 a saloon in Court
street, to eat oysters. He rarely spoke to
ar yone, and although he was known TO be
a large speculstor, he never made any
men ton OF his business affairs. He vas q
man OF excellent family, being a son OF the
Hon. David j.. Jones, formerly n member
Of the Assembly ana a grand nephew OF
Philip Livingston, one OF the signers OF the
Declaration OF Independence. Some years
ago he presented the original portrait by
Rembrandt Peale OF bis grand uncle 10 the
Historical Society Of Long Island.
His Only LiyteE Relative
was bis brother, Mr. Alfred Jones, a Law.
yer of Norwich, Conn. He owned the
house in which he lived, q handsome brick
mansion, and the one adjoining, which
was let ~ Mrs, Carlin. He was last seen
leaving the house on Saturday morning,
and it is probable that his death would
have remained undiscovered for q much
longer time bad net Mrs. CsrIin called on
Monday TO pay her rent. Being unable TO
obtain admittapce, she thought naturally
that the old ge ntleman was out, and called
again next day. As she was still unable 70
get any reply, and ss the doctor had not
been seen since Saturday, she feared that
something might be wrong and notified
the police. One officer refused 10 enter the
house, as he said II Was reported that II
was
Protected by spring Guss.
and that the windows were connected with
internal machines. Detective Mahoney
gained access to the house from the roof Of
The adjoining premises, and descending TO
the bath room found the old gent!emsn
sitting in q chair, dead. Coroner Keller
vss not lied and an inquest was held, ct
which 1t was deter mined that death was
tho result OF rheumatism OF the heart Tne
features OF the dead man were perfectly
plscid, exhibiting no trace OF pain. and II
was evident that death had been instants'
neous. When q reporter called at the
house. yesterday he was admitted by Mr..
Bell an old friend OF the doctor, who was
watching the remains. He said: The
doctor was for years victim 10 rheuma-
tism and suffered go m uch that
His Temper BeeaBae violent
10 such an extent that IT became impossi.
Bile for any one TO live with him. That is
the reason he kept no servant. When he
began TO live alone he projected the doors
and windows with electrical apparatus OF
his own contrivsnce."
As the reporter left the house be mo-
ticsd tba, the front door was connected
with q com plicatcd system OF wire, run.
ming through the ceiling above. IL was
explained that it was part OF a contriyance
by which the doctor could open the door
from any room in the house after he hsd
inspected the caller from Q loop boie In m
upper window. From the papers found in
the house It was learned that the dscsassd
wss the posses s9r OF large landed proper.
ties in Arizona. Dakota, and other Western
Territories. No will was found.