New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-21
WHY VAS THIS CASE NOT REPORTEDf
DEPUTY CORONER JENKINS SAID NOTHING ABOUT
HOWARD uLLoTSON'S SUICIDE UN
TIL HE HAD TO.

Another striking instance OF the peculiar methods
which prevail in the Corolers ohce 1T present con-
sttuted has just been furnished in the case of Howard
Tillotson, mdshipman in the Navy, who at noon
on Friday lay dying on the floor OF his room with
seveninch wound In his throat. BY his side was
bood-stained razor.
Mr. TillotsOn, who was seventy three years OLD,
lived with his brothers, Charles II. and Gouverneur
Tillotson, at No. 81 West Thirty-sItrs occupying
the fourth floor OF the house. For many years
he had suffered from incurabe disease This
disease aggravated by chronic insomnia and at times
Mr.. Ullotson driven into frenzy Of despair
He had frequently said that death preferable to
such suffering In the forenoon Of Friday Mary Wat
son, house maid, heard Mr.. TIlotson pacing quickly
up and down his room. The sound suddenly ceased
and there ensued complete silence. After time the
girl went upstairs and knocked at Mr.. TilJson's door,
but could get reply.
Gouvemeur nllotson, who is lawyer. with offices
at No. 50 Lbcrty-st returned home at that iuncture
and on hearing the girls story called Beck. the butler
and the two went into Howard nlotson's room. where
they found him stretched the carpet by the bed
side, with his head resting In pool OF blood lie was
st conscious but Notwithstanding the efforts OF two
physicians. Mr.. TillOtson died at p. m.
The family made a desperate effort to conceal the
story OF the suicide from the police and the press.
But for an accident they would probably have sue
ceeded. Although Deputy Coroner jenkins was called
I'm and made acquainted with the actual facte, the
police and the Coroner's Office remained in ienonnce
Of the case until 10 O'Clock Saturday night when
Sergeant Tins, Of the Nineteenth Police Precinct
received information OF the suicide from an outside
source He at once sent a patroman TO Mr.. Tillo-
sons house.
The family at first refused to admit the officer
into the house. lie threatened to break the street
door open, and then they consented TO let him In.
The police and the reporters were curious to know
iust what had induced Deputy Coroner jenkins TO
keep secret the facts OF the for thrysx hours
Deputy Coroner jenkins said that he first received
information of the suicide at midnight on Friday,
when Gouverneur Tilotson sent message to his hone
at No 116 East Twenty hst lie hurried to the house
and there saw Gouverneur Tloson. who entrated him
to keep the suicide secret advised him to report
the case to the police" said Dr. Jenkins yesterday
OF course that is no part of my duty, but thought
that he should do So also suggested that Ii any re-
porters called it would be well to give them the facts
and conceal nothing
When asked why lie had kept the Coroner's omco III
Ignorance of the case through Saturday and In fac
had vouchsnfcd Information until the story ad peen
published in the newspapers. DR.. jenkins repieu d.
Saturday was his holiday Not being on duty, lie had
NOT tbolgbt IL worth while TO perform that indDensa-
bic and important part OF his WORK 1T,
Mr. TilOtson who comes Of an old New orK fanny,
was appointed a mdshipman In the Navy on septeHDer
q 1895 and resigned March IL, 1s4O: Az one
fine he lived at Rhnebeck. Gouverneur T1llotson Is
a member of the Union Club and belongs also TO tile
Tuxedo and New-York Yacht Clubs.