New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-11
w. p. ROCKWELL STRANGLES HIMSELF.
HE SAID HE MADE THE MISTAKE or MARRYING
RICH MANS DAUGHTER

HE SAID HE MADE THE MISTAKE or MARRYING
RICH MANS DAUGHTER
The guests at the Highland House, Summit, n j..
were thrown INTO state OF excitement on "eunes
day evening by the discovery of the suicide Of W. T.
Rockwell who guest In the hotcl WIN MS
family, consisting of his wife and three year-oh son.
About four years ago Mr. Rockwell married the
daughter OF W. IL. swan, of No. 80 Brevoort Place.
Brooklyn, who is reputed to be millionaire. DR.
Swan is a member OF the North River Bridge Com
pany Rockwell did not live happily with MS WHO
and this is declared to be the cause of his suicide
On Tuesday morning last Mrs Rockwell went down
to the dlning-room in excited condition and was
unable to eat any breakfast. short time after
ward she left the hotel, accompanied by her young
son and went to the railroad station, where she
boarded the first train for New-York By her order
her trunks were removed from the hotel to the rail-
road station for shipment to New-Yorlk When Rock
well returned to the hotel in the afternoon he became
respondent hearing that bis wife and child had left
him. lie then went to the railroad station and ordered
the baggage sent back to the hotel. Rockwell ap
peared TO be much agitated and called at the Casino
Club house. he being member Of that club, and after
talking with some of the members about his troubles,
went back to the hotel He met W. L. Ostrander,
the proprietor Of the hotel, In the hall, and, in
referring to his wife's departure. said: "This is
one Of the msfortunes that follow a who msrries
a rich mans daughter" That was the last seen of
Rockwell alive.
1t is presumed that he went direct to his room and
then deliberately planned to take his life He had
previously telegraphed to his wife in Brooklyn TO
return to him. but he received no response. AS he
did not make his appearance in the dining room all
day on Wednesday and not seen on the premises.
Mr.. Ostrander and Justice Edward Kelley broke open
the door Of ROckwelPs and found his body
stretched upon the bed. A small rubber tube. with
sverpate nozzle encircled his neck, and his face
was badly discOlOred The hose had been wound about
his neck number of times and the nozzle was so
placed beneath his elbow as to act as a lever He
had deliberately strangled himself to death and had
been dead nearly enty-four hours He had re-
moved his coat and walstcOat. which he carefully
placed on the back Of chair, but he did not remove
his trousers or shoes He spread out a newspaper
on the foot OF the bed that his shoes would not
soil the ooverlet.
A telegram at once sent to Mr.. swan, in Brook-
Ign, and he went TO summit Wednesday night. He
said that his daughter and her Young arrived at his
house on Tuesday afternoon. His daughter was much
agitated, and she told him that she compelled 10
leave her husband because he had threatened TO kill
her. The county physician deemed an inquest I'M
necessary and granted permit for the removal of tue
body. II was taken to Brooklyn yesterday. Rock
well was twenty ght years Old and, it IS said, Of late
has led q disspated life, which caused numerous
quarres between him and his wife. lie was in the
employ Of the firm Of Dreyfus, Kohn d. Co., Of this
city.