The evening world., 1893-08-30
Mr.. BATT|N D|EO OF CYsT|T|s.
The Aged Philanthropist Had Not
Tasted Food for Weeks
Tho Disposal OF His Large Fortune
Still . Mystery.

The secrecy surrounding the death OF
Joseph Battin. the wealthy citizen OF
Elizabeth, y. j.. who died early ycster.
day morning Mt the Bcrachah Home
for Rest and Healing. 80 West Forty
fourth street. was broken to-day by
pr j. A. Sanders. of $40 West Forty.
NTH street. who attended the old gen.
tlcman. IT was stated that the imme-
diate cause of his death was old age
1t was also rumored that the greater
part OF his fortune had been given by
him to faith curists
AZ the Berachah Home any informa-
ton regarding Mr.. Battin's death was,
in a manner. refused Utter ignorance
was professed as TO who the attending
physician was. and the reports that gem
erous gifts had been given to the Chris
tian Alliance would neither be affirmed
nor denied.
An Evening World" reporter called
at the Home this morning. and upon
| inqurng for Rev. Henry Wilson. pastor
of the Berachah Chapel. Rev. Mr.. Funk,
associate pastor. or Rev. A. r. Simpson.
pastor OF the Eighth Avenue Gospel
Tabernacle. he was told that they were
| all out OF town.
The attendants in the chapel which
is connected with the Home, even re.
fused to state when the pastors would
return one OF them did say. however
that the physician that attended MIR
| Battin was Or. Sanders.
| Dr. Sanders was found at his home,
and at once acknowledged prescribing
for Mr.. Battin. He said he saw no
reason for the secrecy shown In his
| ln,, l...I sl,
! port that he never gave Mr.. Battin a
f, prescription. The cause of death. he
stated, was due to chronic cystitis,
Mr.. Battin. he remarked. had not
prior to his death. The most delicious
| fruits were placed before him to tempt
him, but the disease had such a strong
hold upon him that his appetite was en-
tirely gone Further than this the doc.
tor refused to talk. saying that he had
not the permission OF the dead mans
| relatives.
Mr.. Battin was eighty-seven years
old. He was an eccentric philanthropist,
and some years ago was reprted to be
a millionaire. Several years ago he
Joined the Faith Curists. and since that
time Is alleged to have given large sums
of money to the Rev. Albert B. Simp-
son for the advancement of the faith
cure doctrines.
displeasure to his family. and during
the past two yers he has spent most of
| his time at the Berachah Home.
| He was born near Philadelphia and
at an early age showed marked ability
as Il mathematician and inventor. He
| invented the coalbreaker and had a
| twenty years lawsuit with the Lehlgh
Valley Railroad over the patent He set
tied in Elizabeth, y. j.. about twenty
| seven years ago, and established the
| Elizabeth Water Company He rap
idly grew wealthy. and made many char
liable donations
| He IL said to have transferred to the
Rev. Mr.: Simpson a plot Of ground
| worth 81, 900. upon which he agreed
| to build a tabernacle. and In July. 1891
also gave him $4,000. II is also said
he gave the Alliance other large sums
| Of money.
He leaves six chijdren-S. s. and James
| NJ. Battin. OF Newark: Henry Battin
| OF Scranton. Pa; Mrs. John w. French
OF Brooklyn. and Mrs H. l.. Burrows
OF Elizabeth. n. J. He formerly lived
| with the latter
His body has been taken charge oi
by his sons in Newark. and the fune
| raj will take place there tomorrow
morning at II O'Clock.
| II is expected that many suits viii
| follow. the Will cannot be found
Suits are still pending against the Chris
| tian Alliance, the children claiming he
was under the influence Of the Alliance
and that his age also rendered him ir.
Irresponsible.