Evening journal., 1890-09-15

NEW YORK. Sept 15--The news of the
sad death Of Robert Ray Hamilton was a
great shock to his friends In this city, and
his aged father, Gen. Schuyler Hamilton,
was almost prostrated by the blow lie
was seen at the Windsor hotel yesterday
by a reporter, and said he had been advised
Of the occurrence on Saturday, though he
had been made acquainted with none OF
the details II have not heard from my
son, - said he, 'in some time. He left for
a hunting trip In the west with some
friends in May last, think, and had ex-
pected that he would reach home about
this time. In fact the friends with whom
be made the trip are now on their way back.
The news of his death was communicated
to me on Saturday, but / am told that ii
took place eighty miles from a telegraph
station and am as yet uniformed Of the
circumstances. / expect my other son.
Schuyler Hamilton, Jr. here today and
when we receive the details we will DO
able to decide what 70 dc"
A sketch Of His Life.
Up 70 Aug. n, 1889, Robert Ray Ham
ilton had as bright a career before him ms
any young man in the city Of New York.
A grandson OF Robert Ray and grandson
of Alexander Hamilton, he had social posi-
tion and wealth with which to maintain IL.
In addition, he was one of the prominent
of the younger politicians. He was born
in this city in 1851, graduated from Colum-
bia college in 1871 and from the law school
two years later. After his admission to the
bar he practiced law with Hamilton Fish
until 1880, when he went into politics and
was elected TO the Legislature. He served
with honCr, but failed Of election the next
year.
A dood Political Record.
In 1886, however he was again elected,
and was reelected in 1857 and 1888 from
the aristocratic Eleventh assembly district
As chairman Of the committee on cities he
made mark and was regarded as one Of
the strongest and best men in the lower
house Of the legislature. So good record
had he made IN the assembly that he was
regarded as almost certain TO get the Re
publican nomination for the senatorship
in his district in 1889.
His Aspirations Blasted.
His social standing was irretrievably lost
and his political aspirations hopelessly
blasted when on Aug. -, 1889, in an Allan
tic City boarding house, his wife's muir
derous dagger set all tongues wagging
over the disgraceful secret Of his life.
Up to this time Mr.. Hamilton's most in
innate friends thought he was bachelor,
and when the news came from Atlantic
City that the wife Of Assemblyman Robert
Ray Hamilton had, in fit OF murderous
rage, plunged knife into the breast Of
Mary Donnelly, her baby's nurse, the story
was received incredulously II was found
to be true, nevertheless, that this man, the
representative Of one OF the first families
in New York and Of more than ordinary
account in the politics OF the state, had
married woman OF worse than doubtful
character whom he had met in a disrep-
utable house.
The Bogus Baby.
Further investigation developed "Moth.
err SWinton and Josh Mann, and the
successful scheme OF these delectable speci
mems Of humanity, with Eva Hamilton. the
woman for whom Hamilton had sacrificed
honor and position, 20 bleed their victim
by means of foisting on him false baby
which they made him believe was his, but
which the conspirators are alleged to have
purchased for their purpose from baby
farm. When his wife was arrested for the
assault on Nurse Donnelly Hamilton stood
up loyalty for her, acknowledged her fol
his wife and furnished her with money
and with legal counsel. When the story
of the conspiracy against him was brought
| to light, however, he abandoned her.
Josh" Mann and Mother" Swinton
were arrested on Sept. 5, and a few days
later in the general sessions court room
before a crowd of people, among whom
We're many Of his old associates, Hamilton
| told the whole miserable story Of his weak.
ness and shame. The Swinton woman and
Josh Mann were indicted for their share
in the conspiracy, but were never brought
to trial, and they We're a month or two
later released from custody and disap-
peared.
The Sentence of Eva.
While Mrs Hamilton was in custody in
the sheriffis house at Mays Landing, Nj,
Hamilton paid her visit, and it was
sho4Eht for while that a reconciliation