New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-16
A BROKER KILLS HIMSELF.
CHARLES W. KIMBALL COMMITS SUICIDE
IN THE HOTEL EMPIRE.
UNLrGrTED GAS BURNERS TURNED on AND THE
WINDOWS CIosED-iLI-HEALTH SUPPOSED

ryNIIGIITED GAS BURNERS TURNED on AND THE
WINDOWS c1osED-iLL-HEALrH SUPPOSED
TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE ACT.
Charles W. Kimban. broker. who lived at the
Hotel Empire In sixty-third-st. between the Eoue-
ward and Columbus-ave. was found dead In his
bed early yesterday morning under circumstances
which showed that he had committed suicide NO
cause can be assigned for his oct by those VINO
knew Mr.. Kimball.
The suicide was discovered at AS o'clock a m
BY GEORGE b. Brown. a newspaper man. who oc-
cup!es the room adjoining that OF Mr.. kimoail.
When Mr. Brown entered his chamber he noticed
a strong odor Of gas. He tested his gas Jets. and'
finding them all right traced the smell TO the Voor
leading Mr.. Kimbalrs room.
Suspeciing that something might be wrong ne
went down to the office and told the night clerk
of his suspicious The clerk directed the nSht
watchman 10 investigate the matter. ara with
Mr. Brown he knocked repeatedly on MI klnoan
door. Receiving reply. he burst open the uoo'
and found Mr. Kimban lying dead upon his bed.
The room was filled with gas. which was escaping
from two burners. each OF which was turned o"
fur The windows were tightly closed, and
quantity Of clothing had been placed against the
cracks around the door leading to Mr. brown
room. Against this clothing trunk hau Dec"
placed to pack 1t tight. while. as further pre-
caution against the odor OF gas being detected,
wad OF cotton had been stuffed Into the mouth Oh
the speaking tube.
The body of Mr. Kimba lay in an easy posture
on the bed and clothed in nigh'gown as
though the man had prepared for bed ana theh
blown out the gas Beads of perspiration STOOD
out upon the forehead. and ii was al first thought
that Mr. Kimball was not dead. but merely 'un-
conscious from the effects Of the gas. policeman
was summoned. and turned In an ambulance CALL
but when the surgeon arrived from Roosevelt Hos
p.tal he announced that the man had been deau
for some time.
nuf ma
ne could conceive of reason for the sucee'
lie had known Mr. Kimball as man about town
for twelve years Mr.. Ki.nbaN moved into the
hotel on September "A last year, the day before
&; was publicly opened, and had lived there ever
since passing most of his time between MS room
and mis- Office in the Produce Exchange buliu'is
Mr. Quinn added that Mr.. Kimball came into the
hotel shortly before IL O'Clock Sunday night. and
chatted pleasantly with the night clerk before re-
firing 10 his room
Mr. Kimball had been member OF the produce
Exchange for twenty-five years. ana was we'll
known He was an OF, broker, and represented on
.he Exchange Robe & Brothers. of No. POO west
Thirty-thrd-st. This firm has a branch ounce III
.he Exchange Building, adjoining that of MIR Kim
hall. Charles Robe Of the firm. said when seen
there yesterday:
"Kimbalrs accounts are perfectly straight.
think the trouble his poor health ior io's
time. which was due TO severe rupture. nave
communicated with his brother-'n-aw H. u biai'
Of Be;yidere who is a member OF the firm OF Blair
& Co.. the wealthy Wa-st. bankers BeSides
his sister Mrs Blair, he leaves brother "hNa''
IL Kimba who is now in the west. ,o,,h,os
thai promptei him 10 do what he did. He has not
been dS S mSsh BUT his business has
care Of for him $1,000 ,,o r,os ahou,
Afty-three years old. and had been connected win
Robe & Brothers about fifteen years ne wd n,,,S
7th Regiment veteran, and went to the wal VIII"
the regiment.