New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-26
ABRAM b. PRUYNS S1RANGB DEATH.
TIE CERTAINLY STARTED WITH GOLD.
HIS BODY TURNED BLACK SOON AFTER phAin
puysrcrAy ON TEE AILsA.

HIS nopy TURNED BLACK SOON AFTER pEArH-No
PHYSICIAN on THE AILsA.
wben the nersonal effects of Abram F. Pruyn.
who was found dead in his stateroom on s sdin
steamer Alsa were examined in the Pubic Adinin
strators Office after the arrival OF the steamer
this port no gold was found in any OF the
bags or canvas packages althOagh Sim re had
written letter to his wife in when ne stated tia'
he had washed up the mine at ANTIGUA, CqloiDia
owned by the company OF when nc was S;t th him 70
this city. One of the officers OF the Alsa, VINO 10
now In this city, but who made the trip when Sir
Pruyn did, said to TRIBpNE reporter yesteraayy'
a Yes, remember Mr. Pruyn well, lie had
number of leather bags with him, which snow sed
the marks of the journey of 400 miles from tne
mines. He was particularly careful about small
canvas bag which afterward found out contained
a large amount of gold / never saw the precious
metal, but after got well acquainted with nun ne
told me that he had washed out the mine ana tia'
it had cleared up unusually well"
aid Mr.. Pruyn keep diary r.
aYes and lie made entries in it every day. DO |
know that he wrote in his diary that he was sorry
that he had taken passage In the Ailsa, as there
was an enemy of his on boardf No. never Knew
that he made such entry, but do know that
there was a person on board who dd not act as MS
friend Mr. Pruyn had two travelling companions
a Mr. Balch AMI Mr. Lockwood, who both claimed
to be mining engineers. Mr.. Lockwood was on the
Bach and Mr.. Pruyn, though they sat directly OPP
poste at the table. and were frequently thrown
together, never exchanged a word. Mr. Pruyn was
an exceedingly pleasant pl,ScusOi 'uu "
of amusing stories which il gave him pleasure TO
relate. but no matter how interested he was in his
subject when talking. he would stop at once II MI
Bach came near. Mr.. Pruyn told me IN conversa-
ton that he and Mr. Balch had quarrel up at me
mine, that Bach wanted to get at the books oil inc
mining company, and to find out the value OF the
washing up. but that Mr.; Prnyn prevented hip
from doing so. and from that time they had not
spoken to each other"
"Was there anything suspicious about the death
of Mr.. Pruyn T.
@Not that know Of and we did not think so at
the time, but after earned.that no gold was found
among his effects did think that perhaps ms
death might not have been natural. He was found
lying in stats of contOrtion. partly on the moor
and partly on the sofa, ana in an hour or so after
he was discovered by the steward his body turned
black He had been complaining for three or four
days of n cold, but did not say anything about
heart trouble. The night before he died he sald
that he never felt better in his life. The Ailsa does
not carry a surgeon: the cause OF Mr. Frnyn ;
death could not be determined but IL Was guessed
rs heart disease and reported to the British
Consul conld not state that Mr. Pruyn was
foully dealt with. for that IS going beyond my
knowledge hut am sure that he had gold with
him and what became OF IL is a mystery