New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-23
w. G.. HUNTS MIND FAILS.
MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY WRECK.
SKETCH OF THE CAREER OF THE wELL-KNOwN
MERCHANT, NOW DRAWING TO
A GLOOMY CLOSE.

MERCHANT, NOW DRAWING TO
GLOOMY CLOSE.
Wilson q. Hunt, one Of the oldest ard best known
merchants in New-York city, Is completely broken
down In mind. and 1t Is doubtful II he Will ever
again recognize any of his relatives friends. lie
is AT the Clarendon Hotel which he has made MS
home for some time and he is constantly under me
care Of nurses. lie Is suffering from sene dementia
or softening Of the BRAIN DR.. Rankin, OF new
York ana Dr. j. +. Tamsge. of BROOKLYN have
seen Mr.. Hunt almost every day for several mohls
and up to a short time ago they entertained some
hope Of his recovery, but the patient now they say
is far gone, and the prospects of regaining MS
reason remote.
Mr.. Hunt was enjoying excellent physical ana men
tai health up to last June. At that tim" MS lr"u9
noticed that he did strange and childish things ana al
times he leemcd have completely lost MS n'n
ory The best medical advice was sought by MS
relatives. but instead OF growing any better the vet
ersp merchant grew worse Up to three wrecks ago
he was able occasionally. to leave his apartments
with his niece Miss Ellen Hunt, who for many weeks
has been her uncle's almost constant companions
When the weather was pleasant his physicians per
mtted him TO go out driving with her lie has never
been violent and will be, the doctors say, ana
he was az docile as child when out with MISS Hunt
for whom he seems to have a great deal OF affection
Recently, however, the old man has not geen AIDE
to leave his sleepsG and most OF the time has
been confined to his bed. His physical CONDITION
is now also alarming his friends and, a. ne has
weak heart he may die any day
Yesterday lie spent somewhat quiet day al inc
clarendon and was able to take considerable nourst-
pent There was no improvement in his mental CON
sitioD though and the past seemed to be blank Ia
bin. He did not recognize any of his relatives or
ri ends whom he saw in his room. and he did not
know the doctors when they called For several days
ne has spent his time in talking to persons he imagined
in the room
CHI Of bic hon in DroOlXn
last night said that the patient yesterday Imagined
ne was in q courtroom, and that the NcwIork, New
Haven and Hartford tunnel was on trial lie
talked d great deal about the tunnel case To-Day
said the doctor His mind to wander in that
direction a great deal. lie acts like child at times,
and he does not able TO remember things OF the
past. He may live several months, but as INC mas
weak heart he nav die SOON His condition is senc
dement;a, and it brought on by old age lie Is
in his eighty seventh year. and for the active business
life he has led lie has stood the strain pretty WE'LL
"His relatives and friends do not make any attempt
to conceal the true condition of Mr.. Hunt. They
realize that there is much hope. If any. for the
recovery his mind and the only thing they can do
Is TO make his last days pleasant as possible.
JONI T. Agpew. John f. Parsons, Theodore Vail, Ed
ward Cooper A. ). Iewett and other old friends have
called on Mr. Hunt since his Illness began but he did
not TO recognize his old associates.
Wilson q. Hunt is wealthy man, his estate being
valued at several million dollars. His money was
made In the drygocds business and by investing the
profits in various enterprises. lie is director In
the United states Trust Company National Park Bank
Consolidated Gas Company. Eagle Fire Insurance Com
pany New-York Life Insurance and Trust Company
New York New Haven and Hartford Railroad, Globe
Fire Insurance Company, Washington Life Insurance
Company, Delaware, Lacmwanna and Western Rail
road, Western Union Telegraph Company and 10 many
other corporations.
Mr. Hunt one OF New Works prominent mer-
chants In 1s64, and at that time had for business as
sociates such Peter Cooper, Amos L. Emo
and Others He of tine prominent men at
that time who created fund for the relief OF In
digent merchants. His business life has always
been above rcpr0ach. The following story. rs tod
in "Od Merchants Of NewYOrk CITY, illustrates
how honorable he in his business transactions:
- In 1546 Mr.. Hunt in business III Maiden
Lane He made money there. He had formerly
been In the retail drygoOds business In Pearl st.
near Chatham, where he unfortunate and was
obliged compromise with his creditors after which
he commenced in the cloth business under the auspices
Of his brother, Thomas, at Pearl and Chatham SIS;
money. Although he had settled with his creditors
full release from all his Indebtedness. yet GER
tain New-Year's Day he invited all his creditors 70
dine with him and Judge Of their surprise, when they
Lad taken the seats allotted to them. to find under
their plates checks for the full amounts OF the balance
OF their original claims with interest 10 that date
No that Peter Cooper selected such man for
ono of his trustees.o