New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-24
FOUND IN A PAUPER GRA We.
WILLIAM BANS BODY WAS BURIED
IN POTTER'S FIELD.
HE HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE AUGUST g.
WAS TAKEN FROM THE RIVER ON
AUGUST 10 AND NOT IDENTI-

FLED AT THE MORGUE.

FLED AT THE MORGCE.
William Balm. a young friend Of the son or
Rear Admiral Schley suddenly disappeared on
August last. His relatives have been anxious
~ seeking him since. Only yesterday II
was discovered that his body had been lying
in a nameless grave in Potter's Field since
August Is. The Identification was made through
his clothing and jewery and by means OF
photographs. Bans body found in the
North River. of Pier No. 80. August 10. II
was thought 70 have been in the water about
four days. II was kept at the Morgue for four
days more and then buried. An autopsy showed
that death was due TO drowning, and at the
time 1t was supposed 10 be a case Of suicide.
Balm was department clerk in the whole
sale grocery firm Of Austin Nichols g. Co. He
was at work usual on Saturday. August 3.
He left the store little after noon. but did
not, as far as can be ascertained, go to his room
a. No. "A Perry-st. On the evening Of Sunday,
August g. he was met by Henry Ratz another
employe OF Austin. Nichols & Co, at Fifty ninth
st. and Eighth-ave That was the last any OF
his friends saw OF him alive.
A Mr.. Goeet one OF the partners OF the frm
called at Bain's home a few days after ne dis
appeared. and inquired about him. He was
surprised to find that Balm had not been at the
house In the room occupied by Balm was
found a letter from c. c. Schley the son OF
Rear Admiral Schley Balm was sent 70 Cuba
in the war by the firm. and there met young
Schley and a strong attachment sprang up be-
tween the Two. Schley and Balm had talked OF
making a trip around the world, and in this
letter was an appointment made by young
Schley 70 meet Balm at the Marlborough Hotel
on August Z Balm was a steady, sober, indus
triOus and capable young man, and the firm
could not account FOR his sudden disappearance
His father Thomas Balm Of Swampscott.
Mass. reached Police Headquarters yesterday
morning and seemed 10 be much worried over
his sons disappearance. The body had not been
identified then. The Identification was made
later in the day by A W. Dearborn, Of No. A. !
OF the Balm family A sister Of young BAN IS
in the employ of Dearborn. Dearborn was ac-
Companied by Henry RatZ who identihed the
clothing and the cuff buttons with the Initials
wv. B." them. There was no question IN
their minds that the effects at the Morgue were
those Of young Balm.
Ratz an1 Dearborn do not believe that he
committed suicide He happy they say.
had plenty Of money. and was at the head or
the canning department Of the firm mentioned
At the time Ratz met him at Fifty -ninth-st. and
Eighth-ave. he appeared TO be unusually cheer
ful, and spoke Of feeling in excellent health II,
as the record shows the body was In the water
about four days Balm must have fallen In or
jumped in or perhaps been thrown n soon
after Ratz met him. There is considerable mys-
terry about the case. The body viii be sent 70
Svan7pscott 10 be buried in the family plot.
An effort was made 20 see c. c. Schley at the
Hotel Marlborough last evening, but he could not
be found