New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-19
JAMES GAYLER DEAD.
AT HIS HOME AFTER
SHORT ILLNESS.

James Gayer. Assistant Postmaster OF ew-fork
since $780, died suddenly last evening at his nome
No. 3j5 West Flfty-seventh-st Mr.. Gayler had peeh
ailing for about week but appeared better yes
terday morning. and his death was unexpected.
Mrs. Gayler Is In Europe. and their only chhd'
Charles J. Gayler, is I'm Washington, where he mas
been attending the Postal Congress. cable mes
sage was sent to Mrs. Gayler last night
James Gayler was born in RivIngton-st, New
York. In 1921 He entered the postal service In 1870
clerk in the New-York Office. Six years later
he made Postoffice inspector, being placed
In charge of the New-York district by Postmaster
General Montgomery Blair In 1864. This place gave
him opportunity to display his skill as q de-
tective and he made many important arrests In
two alone he succeeded in recovering more
than 10000 which had been stolen BY postal en-
poyes. Mr.. Gayler had large share Of that
peculiar faculty which makes the perfect detective
He was also a handwriting expert Of great ability
having given testimony IN the celebrated CADET
Whitaker case at West Point His official duties
however prevented his appearing In court In recent
years
In 1895 Mr. Gayler was requested by Postmaster
General Dcnison TO suggest substitute lot tue
system of registration then In use. which was so
imperfcct that its entire abolition had been recon-
mended by Postma ter General Campbell. lie ac-
cordingy devised the registered package envelope
still in use. together with many other improve
ments and prepared copies OF all the necessary
blanks ana drafts oil the reSulduoDs apP'S"e l"
the plan.
These were submitted to and approved by the De-
-,-tnort but he report ''pgeor-holed ana
lost and II was not until 1861 that, having dupn-
,at.d previous Iahors. he was able to secure t.e
adoption OF his law. which. with some minor Hou'-
fcations has been in effect since then. Ex-
Posimaster-(;eneral Thomas l.. James once said IL
lad been the means Of saving millions OF dollars 10
the public The registry system OF Inc ohit'h
States Pos,ofce Is believed TO be superior 10 any
other IN the world.
Mr. Gayler In 1873 resigned his place as POST
Office Inspector 70 become Superintendent OF 'ny
Delivery here Seven yea later he was appointed
to the office of Assistant Postmaster, and ne was
postmaster that has held office In THIS city slhce
Then IIe suggested many improvements; some vi
which have been adopted aud others OF Which nane
been recommended to Congress by various - III
rnasters-Gcncr1l. He also performed some hotaDIe
pieces of detective work after ne became any
covery Of the identity OF the man. Gentieman
joe" who annoyed the Rev Or. Morgan On H. r re-
tor of Trinity .hrrch BY having sN aoes"eh 's '"e
The idea Of issuing series of Columbian stamps
originated with Mr.. Gayler. on Ausust - 1881. ne
wrote 10 Pos ,master-tieneral Wanamaker sug-
costing the plan and naming the vessels OF Colum-
bus's fleet his interview with Queen Isabella tne
la ding, etc, appropriate subjects Tor the ue
signs OF the stamps. Mr.. Gayer In the letter sald
that Great Britain made special coins and stamps
in honor OF the Queens jubilee in 1891, ana ne
thought that the discovery of America might wen
the United States. Mr.. Wanamaker conceded WIN
Mr. Gayler's view. He estimated that Sop"O OF
the stamps would go into collections unused
Mr. Gayler a member OF the Ola Guaru' ne
was an accomplished amateur astronomer ana d
great lover of fishing He never was poitician,
bu for thirty years he worked consistently LOT the
He was brother of Charles G.. Gayler, the pay
wright.