New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-14
OTHER SUBURBAN TOWNS.
LONG ISLAND.

AN ECCENTRIC OLD MAN HANGS HIMSELF
John Van Colt an eccentric old man living at Oy-
,ter Bay committed suicide yesterday morning by
hanging himself from beam in the attic of his house
near Mill Creek. Mr.. Van Colt was bachelor Oh
independent means. lie lived OH large farm, winch
10 owned His body was found by a man named
LambertsOn who with his wife had managed the iarm
for years. A few years ago Mr. Van Colt inherited
fortune Of $4,000, which lie invested in Long Island
real estate. The property has steadily increased IN
yalue and IS now worth nearly double what II cost
The house he occupied Is situated In the cehure
of large tract of land, and is one of the queereSt
structures on Long Island. 1t is large house. sur
rounded by trees and shrubs that have grown SO ticR
as to cut off the view of the house from Inc road
The roofs and floors as we'll the ceilings are dec
Grated with weird and strange scenes. On one size
Of the house is a huge rainbow, which is in striking
contrast with a heavy snowstorm raging above ana
under This scenic effect was the old mans especial
pride lie would sit FOR hours admiring It, The in;
terror of the house mainly represents scenes OF animal
and beautiful butterflies are lifting among the foliage
Of various hues. The chimneys Of the house ana tne
painted in different colors. The house is visited by
hundreds Of curious persons each year, and the old
man was never so proud as when ehblng MS S no is
ing his life. He was always cheerful and APP
be Sd perfectly gvsr 6b w& ms e
day.
lie WOULDN'T LET HIS DAUGHTER ELOPE.
The attempt of Grace RaynOr. a pretty fifteen
yeaT-Od girl of PatchOgue, to elope with David Cur
tbs last Sunday and the means her father used to
prevent the eopement, have caused considerable talk
in that town. Justice Barman thus explained the
case yesterday "The Raynors are poor family who
have lived here since heaven knows when. Raynor
has numerous family, of whom Grace is the young
est She Is fifteen years old and very cOmely. DAVID
Curtis Is boy about eighteen years old, living in
Patchogle and drives a hack His people have only
recently come here, and his brothers are laborers
lie has been paying attention TO Grace candestinely
Her father objected when Informed of the state OF
affairs and he locked Grace up. 1t IS said lie even
chained her to the floor of her The programme
was for her to meet Curtis, eiope with him and get
married at stony Brook. Unfortunately for the couple
Raynor got wind OF the matter, nipped the elOpement
I'm the bud took Grace home logged her. then locked
her up and, il Is said chained her to the floor by
some means the girl managed 10 get to the window and
send word to me- and advised Raynor that he should
not abuse his daughter The girl was then released
ain the meanwhile Raynor had preferred charge OF
| abduction against Curtis and four OF the latter ;
| relatives as accOmpices. They were arrested ana
broucht before me- on being Informed Of the nacre
~ the cT9rgc they pleaded rot guilty, and were re
leased on their own rec0gniZance for nearing III inc
case. The hearing will take place next "eunesu ai
| morning lii regard TO the claiming hays moi SUN
Gent facts TO Warran. me IN taxing any oHai a.lu'
| and no one appears to be disposed to make a COIL
plant Grace has made no charge Ill tle ho''er'