New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-08
MIR. VAN TASSELL KILLED.
THE wELLKNOwN AUCTIONEER FALLS
DOWN AN ELEVATOR SHAFT.
HE WAS SHOWING FRIEND ABOUT HIS FINE
NEW BUILDING-HIs SKULL FRACTURED

NEW BUILDING-HIS SKULL FRACTURED
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
William Van Tassell, the senior member Of the
firm of Van Tassell & Kearney, auctioneers, was
sitting in his Office about half-past o'clock
yesterday afternoon in the business house Of the
firm at Nos. / 80 and i32 East Thjr'eenth-st, when
his friend DR.. John W. Bowling came iu TO take
look at the building, which was only finished
last month. The design of the structure was
made by Mr.. Van Tassell to snit ,a various
features Of the auctioneers' trade, and he was
proud Of the way it had been carried out and
took delight Ia showing his friends through it,
After chatting for q few minutes in the Office
Ar 'an Iassell took Dr. Bowling through tho
lower part Of the building, and explained In his
enthusiastic way the special improvements that
had been made. The structure is four stories
high, and there is an elevator which at this hour
WAS usually on the first ground hoor. Mr.
Van Tassell went to the office and got key to
open the door leading to the elevator. The place
was dark, and DR.. Bowling suggested making .
light, but Mr.. Van Tassell said that he knew
the way well without il, and went ahead about
two feet in front of the Doctor. Mr.. Van Tasseu
unlocked the door and stepped inside boldly.
Dr. Downing, not being used to the place,
moved more cautiously and felt for the floor OF
the car with his foot There nothing there
but air. He WAS alarmed, and called Mr. Van
Tassells name loudly several times. He got no
answer, and hurried to the Office for q light
He found some matches, and lighted one at tho
elevator shaft The car could not be seen, but
in the dim light the body Of Mr.. Van Tassell was
visible at the bottom of the shaft, about twelve
feet below Help was procured, and Mr.. Van
Tassell carried to the office. lie was alive,
and bleeding freely from the nose mouth and
np lima haf ha itua ntu
short time. Drs. Willard Parker, jr, Edward
G. Janeway and Stinson were summoned, but
could do nothing for Mr.; Van Tassell, as he was
slowly dying. His skull was fractured at the
base, and he died quietly at half-past o'clock.
HIS body was taken to his home at No. 20
Irving Place.
Mrs. Van Tassen and her daughter were both
overcome by the terrible shock aud could not
believe that he was dead.
Mr. Van Tassell was born in the Ninth Ward
in 1870. lie came of old Knickerbocker stock,
the family name being originally Won TasselL
When he was boy his father and mother, who
had been converted to Alormonsni, decided to be-
come followers Of Joseph smith and moved TO
Missouri, leaving William and bis brother George
here to shift for themselves. William held
minor office on the Hudson River
Railroad at Albany for few years and
VINO had taken great liking to the young man
After coming here he was placed in charge OF
the White stage line, plying between here and
Albany, and was for time superintendent OF
About twenty-five years ago he borrowed lit
tie money and went into partnership with Archie
Johnson in the general auctioneering business,
and had q store opposite the old post office in
Nassau-st The firm was successful, and Mr.
Van Tassell, by his peculiar fitness as an anc-
tioneer, built up an extensive business. He
retired from this firm after seven years
and shortly afterward went into business
with Edward Wallace Kearney. the son OF
Edward Kearney the well-known politician, under
the firm name of Van Tassell g. Kearney Their
place OF business for many years was at Nos.
ll0 and 1l2 East Thirteenth-st. They made
largo amount of money here, and put up, at q
cost of S2O0 600. the store where Mr. Van Iassell
was killed. They had made arrangements to ex-
tend their business in several new directions
The firm had about 100000 inves' ed in the
business. Mr.. Van Tassel was auctioneer for the
city, and was well known TO all prominent poll
ticians. He took any part in politics, CIV
ing as a reason that he did lot have time.
When he went into the auctioneer business, ~
was under control Of sharper, who conducted %
their affairs t. rob their customers. lie never
did dishonest thing in his life. and raised the
trade to a respectable calling. lie was well
known throughout the city, and was well liked
by everybody.