New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-03
DEATH or EX-1UDH0R REYNOLDS
PLUNGING DOWN IN TIE RoTUNDA or TIE SOUTH
ERN HOTFL FROM 1HE THIRD FLOOB.
TBY TELEGRAPI TO THE TRrnuNE.l


tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDuNEl
ST. LOUIS. June 2.-The suicide of Il. NJ.
Reynolds late First Auditor Of the United States Treas
ury at the Southern Hotel. this morning. wa most dis
trosslng tragedy. The unfortunate gentleman. an old
man OF sixty and man, weighing fully 200 pounds,
cast himself from tie railing Of the third story Of the
MOTEL TO the marble floor of the rotunda beneath him.
His descent ended all In bunch" the porter de-
scribed it, his legs doubling up under him and breaking
in several places and his head striking with great forco
upon the marble The body quivered for moment or two
as Il lay and several people rushed to the place where
he had fallen lie picked mp and his legs straight
ened out, aier which he groaned took one long breath
and expired Scarcely twenty seconds before
he fell Congressman John VI. Glover had walked
across the spot under the shaft where the dead
unan struck Mr. Glover had not passed the place far
enough to the clerks desk when the crash behind
him occurred.
General Hunter. Of the United States Army, talked
for a long time with Mr.. Reynolds last night and In
speaking to a reporter this morning lie said: lie
seemed TO be in good spirits aud talked nationally and
well. If had been asked to point ont the last man In
this house who would have committed suicide would
have named him; he was in excellent sVrits." Nobody
could give reason why Mr. Reynolds should have com
mted suicide nor could any explain on tho other
hand how It was possible for any to have fallen ac
cidenty over the high railing which protects the open
space in the rotunda. His room, No. 2.2 was
found full of coal gas, II he had tried to
teegraphod Nicholas Bell IN Washington 10 break the
news to family who live at sixteenth and CaiLcron
est lieutenant In the Navy and the youngest Is just
r. NJ Taylor of Las Vegas " NJ. a gentleman eGten
sively engaged IN the cattle interests who arrived here
saturday ana is stopping at the southern Hotel was
In company Of Mr.. Reynolds up 10 late hour last
evening Mr.. Taylor expressed great surprise at lhc
affair and said am asonishcd 20 hear OF ihisi Mr.
Reynolds old friend OF my friend. Judge g. W.
McCIary ex-Secrctary of War. He cOntcn plating
an investment In "A cattle company OF which Judge Nc
fa I he pre- "A
report one of the ranches about to be purchased
Mr.. Reynolds spent last evening with Colonel X. d.
Hunter and myself IN front OF the hotel he seemed
despondent about something and frequently
engaee in some kind OF business lie was
then. suppose referring 20 the fact that he was no
held the important position of First Auditor for several
years and his removal now Is simply owing 10 hechange
of Administration We sat out In front othe hotel talk
ing over cattle matters until about IO5o O'Clock when
he got to leave saying that lie would call on Colonel
Hunter this morning lie was in easy circumstances or
be would not have discussed investments In stock and
The balustrade upon each floor is arranged as to
prevent the possibility OF an accident 10 children from
falling into the rOtundd,and grown person would have
10 step high IN order 10 mount the upper railing. THIS
fact fatal the accident theory The Is hold
ing the inouest but no verdict has been returned.
The cOrOners jury, after hearing considerable tcsi-
mOBY, rendered verdict OF suicide. MI Reynod, had
Hotel last night and after registering asked for an
outside room high up. He said he would not have an
UNWILLING TO BELIEVE 1T WAS SUICIDE
wAsHTNGTos, June 2.-Dspatches to his friends here
convince them that cx-AuditOr Reynolds did not com
NIT suicide He left Washington in excellent health and
spirits and there business private interest to
cause him concern. They confident that he was
taken with attack OF vertigo TO which he was sub
ec and when passing the bausrade Of the air shaft
fell It, His widow and children viii leave here to-
night for Terre Haute, Indiana where his body will he
buried In tho family lot His son was member OF the
Greedy Relief Expedition