New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-14
AFFAIRS IN BROOKLYN.
THEY DECLARE III WAS NOT SUICIDE.


WILLIAM P. RocKwELL's FRIENDS HINT AT
FOUL PLAY.
The relatives of William p Rockwell. who is sup
posed to have committed suicide BY struggling himself
last week. at summit N. j. are not disposed to accept
as final the statement made by Charles II. Swan, his
father-in-iaw to the effect that Rockwell drink
Ing man, who abused and threatened his wife that
she could not live with him. DR.. Charles H. Wilson,
of No. 1T stuyvesantave., the brotherin-law Of Mr.
Rockwell, got DR.. Joseph NJ. Creamor and DR.. J. NJ.
Creamer, jr., and went to Cypress Hills Cemetery,
where the body rests in receiving vault, on satur-
day, and held an autopsy. The stomach, liver and
spleen Of the dead man were sent TO Dr. Kent the
chemist Of the BOARD Of Health for examination Cor
oner Lindsay ard Mr.. Swan, the fatherin-law, we're
also present Dr. Wilson told the story Of the autopsy
TO Tribune reporter yesterday, follows al was
Rockwells physician we'll his brothcr-in-law.
About three years ago he had trouble in his family, Of
which / viii tell you by-and-by. At that time he
came to me and said If ever die suddenly, that
an examination is made of my body for, after the
trouble I have had l expect to be put out Of the
way Since his death have learned that be said the
same thing to my wife. Therefore / hRd the autopsy
made. In my own experience physician l never
saw of the nerve 10 strange himself TO death
with rubber tube in the way he must have done, if
in fact he did tle deed. Others say the same thing
Nv own suspicion is that he drugged and then
strangled by who had an interest I'm getting
him out of the way. The examination Of the organs
will show whether this suspicion is well grounded.
Mr.. swan says that william Rockwell drinking
man. accustomed TO taking thirty forty glasses Of
liquor a day. Yet the autopsy showed not sign OF
his having been affected by alcohol. DR.. Creamcr
found the organs in perfect good health except for the
heart which slightly affected by rheumatism.
That is positive answer to the charges that he was
incorporate. N,itheI was he cruel Just look at this
photograph" SAID the Doctor, producing picture Of
the young man. "Does he look like the hend they
say he vast"
al will tell you the story Of his life. He met Miss
Swan IN December and married her in May lie had
a large salary and she thought him rich man. After
his engagement ne did not want 10 marry her, and
few days before ais wedding he said to his mother: j
was up at Niagara few days ago and stood on the
bridge and doubted whether to Jump of come home
and get married, but am honorable man and l
will marry Elle''
At This point IN the conversation the Doctor called
Mrs Wilson, who told the reporter that ON the day OF
the wedding her brother had told her sister aud herself
that he would rather be hanged than be married.
@Three years ago." continued DR.. Wilson, with the
swans he was tng IN Putnamave. One night he was
sitting with his wife, when a constable entered ana
served papers in a divorce suit charging him with
cruelty He ajked her If she know Of IT, She said she
did This was his first hint Of trouble. lie left her
and got aridadts to his character which would have
went 10 He had soft spot in his heart for his
boy and he asked her what would become OF him.
He told her she would have no case and she said she
would live with him. She also told him that she was
not at the bottom of the suit but her father and mother
did not like him. Now, however, they would not sup
port her. After that he told about his fears and
said he went to live with her on the boys account.
Rockwell uce said to that his wife used up all his
money ant kept him in debt Yes, we can prove be-
yond do1bt that Rockwell sober, geniel, kindly
man. H, was fond Of his Child and took him every
where. do not believe he committed suicide. If any
drugs ars found in the stomach shall turn the case
over to the detectives say nothing more, except
about the burial which Mr. swan says he had to pay
for We should have been glad to do anything possible,
and / am now willing to buy lot for him II his wife
win permit it," . 49,
DR. Dreamer after the examination said "There was
no tace Of alcoholic indulgence about the organs at
all Rockwell could not have been intemperate With
out 0me evidence Of II showing. He was rather
veal man. IN spite Of his size and don't believe ne
ever a1used anybody"