The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-03

CHICAGO Jan. Wv. A. Hammond.
vice president Of the National Bank OF H.
linois, committed suicide a. an early hour
this morning by jumping into Lake Michl-
gan near the pemDster street pier
Hammond called on Percy Palmer. an
old friend and confidential adviser. last
evening. About Il O'Clock Hammond went
home and al Il 80 retired. he and his vile
slept ia adjacent rooms.
Early this morning Mrs. Hammond dis
covered that her husband Was gone, and
notified friends, VINO found a tran or
scraps Of per leading 20 the sege OF
tbs pier at Dempster street. Rain Aad
soaked the scraps Of paper and made the
contents almost illeg3o.e.
Al 1850 this afternoon thu body was
found at the foot OF Church street, sew
era blocks north Of where Hammond IS
supposed 10 have jumped into the lake.
SIxteen-year-old ". F. Rodney, with q
companion, was walking along the beach
in the vicinity Of Church street, when
they sighted the body floating only a few
feet from the shore. An ambulance was
called and the body was removed 10 an
undertaking establishment, where II was
soon identified by friends.
Mrs. Hammond is completely Frustrated
ana under the constant care OF physi-
cian The ex-banker vas the father OF
four children
Z
mond's most intimate friends and business
associates, was the last man who saw Mr..
Hammond. Mr.. Palmer said today that
Mr.. Hammond called al the Palmer House
in Evanston. which is only few MN
utes' walk from the house occupied oy
the Hammonds, about o'clock last night
He remained there until ii O'Clock In con-
versation with Mr.. Palmer. They talked
Of the future and what might be done 10
foat
Palmer noticed that Mr.. Hammond fre-
duently wandered away from the general
theme and seemed at times TO be entirely
oblivious of the presence OF anyone. lie
seemed 10 be making an effort 10 under
stand what was being said TO him. but
Mr. Palmer says he saw plainly that DIR.
Hammond's mind was weakened and that
his troubles were Weighing more heavily
upon him than had been noticed before.
Upon Hammond's arrival home ne went
directly TO his room and Mrs. Hammond
retired almost Immediately after. She re-
members Mr., Hammond's coming into the
room about 2 a. m. and kissing their
Ibaby.
The supposition Is that Hammond left
the house Immediately after this with only
his undertaking and dressing gown
thrown over him. for his apparel was
found in his room apparently as he had
left IL. II Is thought by DR.. Palmer that
Hammond went directly TO the Dsmpster
pier and flung himself in the lake.
Mr.. Palmer : tat Il was MS opinion
thar Hammond had carried n the neigh
borhood Of $4,000 OF life Insurance. Mr..
Palmer said that ever since the publiea-
ton OF the articles rejecting on his credit
ne had not been the same man; that he
worried about these publications was GER
tain.
Considerable surprise IS expressed by
men prominent in financial and business
circles that criminal proceedings have not
been instituted against Hammond. Il has
been known FOR several DAYS past that
Comptroller Eckels had instructed Re
ceiver McKeon 10 bring criminal proceed
.ngs against any Of the officials OF the de-
funct Bank Of Illinois. and that a SPECIAL
investigation of Vice President Ham
rnond's affairs was under way. Whatever
may have been Receiver McKeon's inten-
ton, he never took any action sgainst
Hammond, and this fact has been sharply
criticised. McKeen refused tosiay 20
detail his Intentions IN regard 20 the mat
ter He said Hammond was al the bank
Thursday. The receiver continued:
II had a talk with him about the affairs
OF the bank. He was accustomed TO come
here every morning between 3 and $50
70 confer with me I never told him that
I should recommend the commencement
OF criminal proceedings. ] would not care
10 say whether or not l had intended 10
take such step.
Gen. John C. Black. United States dis
trict attorney. was very non-cOmmittal.
saying:
II have no information about the con-
nection % Mr. Hammond with the affairs
OF the National Bank OF Illinois beyond
what I have read IN the newspapers. Il
noticed that Comptroller Eckels had writ
ten 10 Examiner McKeon 10 proceed with
criminal prosecution. u ne discovered any
criminal conduct attached TO the officials
OF the bank. Mr.. Mckeon has not ad
vised with me. He Is the representative OF
the treasury department. and tn posses
sion Of the bank. From what l know ~
Mr. McKeOn he VIII not be slow in follow
Ing the instructions OF the comptroller the
moment ne has any proof q cTimlna.ity.
I have been and an In readiness 70 PRO-
coed IN 2 ny prosecution that may IAN WIZ
IN my duties"
The home Of Mr.. Hammond f. situated
on Greenwood boulevard. 81 Evanston. and
was erected Eve years aEo. II cost not
less than SEQ coo. and some % the recent
adverse criticisms were based on the cur
rent allegation that Il represented some OF
his improper gains. When Mr. Hammond
was ready to build his present home. e
Maid r. n. Sheppard. the business agent
OF the Northwestern University, tbs high
est price for the lot ever paid IN Evanston
for residence property This was SIC a
Zoos. and it made the total valuation or hs
home $50 o9o. The interior furnishings are
IN keeping with the interior Of the house,
ana WITHIN the past month these have
heen augmented by the purchase Of &e0e
WORTH % additional furniture
As a prominent resident q Evanston.
Nr Hammoud's name appeared upon all
thn town club rolls. and 10 was especially
wei known al the Evanston C.8n. tie was
q member Of 81 Marks Episcopal c1uFca.
:, addition % ais official duties ia tie T.
t7,,{s National bank. Mr.. Hammond vas
= director IN the Oakland National bank.
fsa Phoenix Insurance Company. OF
E-eakiyu. the Ch.cayo Street and cable
car If-e the ChlcaE9 Opera House Cozn-
- 81 IN !. p.