The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-08-24
WILLIE DAY DEAD
The Champion Runner
Found Hanging to a Tree
at Bergen Point.
HIS RECENT ARREST, THE CAUSE
Brooded Over the Accusation Of
Embezzlement-His Brilliant
Record.

William D.. Day, better known as Willie
Day, the worlds champion long distance
and cross country runner, is dead.
He committed suicide at least two days
ago, as his body, when found this morn
ing, is said to have been so badly decom-
posed in places that worms had already
begun to destroy it.
He hung himself to the limb of tree
in the woods on Newark Bay, near Ave
nue. A, short distance from the New
Jersey Athletic Club grounds, at Bergen
Point
His body was found at eleven o'clock
this morning by two fishermen who were
walking along the path through the
woods just back of Captain Ryder's boat
house.
Day was only twenty-three years old.
GRIEF WAS THE CAUSE.
The probable cause for his suicide is
grief over his disgrace in having been
arrested a few days ago on charge of
embezzlement. He was arrested at the
instance of Manager Stone of the Man
haitian Laundry Company last Monday
morning on warrant issued by JUS
tice Potts.
ARRESTED IN THE CLUB.
On Monday evening, WHlIe dl the
New Jersey Athletic Club grounds, he
was arrested by Detective McNally. He
accompanied McNally to Police Head
quarters, this city, without murmuring.
Manager Stones charge was read to him.
1t set forth that while acting in the
pacity of collector he had embezzled SIP.
Day denied the charge at once, and de-
clared in the presence of his friends and
= Il 1,i hot
he had a claim against the company
which exceeded SIP.
THE COMPANY OWED HIM.
He then explained that the companys
indebtedness to him was due 10 it's fail
ure to pay 25 cents on every collection,
as had been agreed upon. Day furnished
bail within an hour after his arrest
and returned to his home in Bergen
Point.
While on his way home he met Coun-
sellor Allan Benny of Bayonne, who
promised to appear in his behalf.
SURPRISED AT HIS ABSENCE.
When the case was called Tuesday
morning Counsellor Benny was on hand
and was surprised when he found that
Day was not there. He stated to the
Court that Day had left Bayonne on
the car before him.
After waiting an hour for him to ap-
pear Counsellor Benny furnished $500 for
his clients appearance next Monday
morning. Tuesday morning was the last
time Day was seen alive.
WENT TO THE WOODS INSTEAD
1t is now believed that instead of go
ing to court or even starting for it, he
returned to the woods, where he was
found and hung himself
His body was removed to Lockwood's
Morgue at Tenth street and Avenue D,
Bergen Point, Immediately after its dis
covery this morning. The rash act was
a complete surprise to his relatives and
friends, among whom he was very popu-
lar.
HIS ATHLETIC RECORD.
Day, as an athlete, was without a
rival. He began his athletic career five
years ago when he became a member
of the New Jersey Athletic Club. In
his first races he showed great speed,
and after few weeks steady training
at the Bergen Point track he entered
in a ten mile cross country run held
under the auspices of the now defunct
National Cross Country Association. Day
not only won the race by a large mar
gin, but also established new record
for htat distance Later he broke the
track record for the same distance by
accomplishing the trick in 81 minutes
AN UNPARALLELED CAREER.
Then began an athletic career which
is yet unparalleled. Every race that
Day entered brought him new honors
All the records for the distance from
two to five miles were broken and many
of them are yet to be equalled. For
three years Day won the championship
medal at the National A. A. U. champion
shops. Although Day was considered one
of the fastest athletes on the track he
preferred cross country. At this sport
he could outrun any athlete and the
more difficult the course the better it
suited him. The prizes which he won
would fill trunk, and are valued at
hundreds of dollars.
HE WAS A SOCIAL LION
His brilliant performances made him
a Zion" at all social affairs and ne num-
bered his friends by the thousand In
Bergen Point and Greenville he was
very popular. He was entered in the
special two mile match race with Orton
and Jarvis in the n. J. A. C. games
which will he decided on labor Dav