New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-01
j. NEALE PLUMB DEAD.
MYSTERIOUS SLAYER SUCCUMBS TO
ERYSIPELAS IN BELLEVUE.

HE HAD JUST BEEN REMOVED FROM THE
ToMBs-wAs TO PLEAD YESTERDAY
J. Neale Plumb, who shot and killed Alex
ander Masterton on May 3 In the Burlington
apartment-house on Thirtieth-st., died at Belle
vue Hospital last evening at $50 o'clock. Plumb
was removed 10 the hospital from the Tomos
in the course OF the afternoon. After his ar
rival he seemed to gain strength, but the re-
action was too much for him.
The murder for which Plumb confined to
the Tombs was that of Alexander Masterton
On the day the murder committed Plumb
sent for Masterton to meet him at the Burling-
ton apartment house. where they could talk
over business affairs. The men met at the
place at about IL O'Clock. and were inms-
diately shown to the Office of the manager OF
the house.
Soon afterward the men were heard talking
loudly by chambermaid and in few minutes
a pistol shot was heard An entrance was then
made to the room and Masterton was found
lying on the floor. Plumb had in the mean time
made his way to the Office. where he told the
clerk that ne had shot Nasterton
Plumb gave himself up to the police. and was
locked up In the West Thirtieth-st. station
Later in the day he was taken before the
Coroner, who committed him TO the Tombs.
After being arrested Plumb issued two long
statements in which he gave his reasons for
killing Masterton He reviewed the trouble
which had existed between the two men.
Although his lawyer, Mr. Thompson. OF No 3
Wall-st., endeavored to make a plea OF In
sanity for his client before the Coroner at the
time the inquest was held. Plumb at ell times
al hat ba intended
to kill Masterton.
Plumb was to plead before Judge Mcmahon
in Part Of General Sessions. yesterday morn
ing to the indictment for murder in the first de-
gree, but word was sent to the court that he
was suffering from eryspelss, and that II would
~ impossible for him to appear. Judge Nc
Mahon then postponed the pleading indefinitely
Later in the day DIR. Campbell, the prison
physician. insisted upon the removal OF Plumb
TO Bellevue Hospital, where he could get proper
care and treatment Although Plumb objected
he was taken TO that institution Plumb was
not accompanied by an officer at the time Of his
removal. but at the request of Superintendent
ORourke OF Bellevue, who said that he would
not be responsible for the mans keeping!
guard was sent to the institution TO watch the
man.
Plumb seemed to gain strength after his re-
moval About $50 o'clock last evening nurse
named Sampson noticed that the man was
breathing heavily and apparently sinking. He
quickly informed DR.. wynkoop. who responded
end applied restoratives. The patient, however.
was too far gone TO be revived, ana AT o'D ne
breathed his last.
The physician says that the cause Of death
was exhaustion, superinduced by facial cry
spelas. Plumb was sixty seven years OLD, ana
his last home was No. 70 West Thirty-eignth-
ST., where he occupied rooms at the time ne
killed Masterton.
James Neale Plumb was retired lawyer. He
formerly lived, IL Is said, In Bronxyile, and MIS-
she died she willed to her children. II was
Plumbs love Of drink that caused his wire 70
take the action, according to friends or Mr.
Masterton. Plumb was angry at the contents
Of the will and moved away.
IT is said that Plumb blamed Masterton Tor
his failure TO receive share or his wires es-
tate. According to a report, Masterton told
number of friends short time before ne was
killed that Plumb annoying him consider
ably, and was calling oL him repeatedly at his
New-Yor offices
Plumb lived for many years In Isp. and was
reported to be wealthy. He purchased large
tract OF land known as the Deer Range Farm, In
the Nicoll Patent, and built huge villa, cost
ing. II is said almost S25O,0OO. He lived In fine
stvie and spent money reckessly. He was con-
sidered to be OF an erratic temperament. Plumb
had travelled much.
Plumb was named as administrator OF the
trust estate created by the will Of Adran Ives
Under the will Plumbs two eldest chloren
were the principal benefciaries MRS. RAMSAY
Mares one of Mr. Plumbs daughters asked the
Court in 1888 to have her father removed rrom
handling the property, alleging that he had
sauandered 100000 belonging TO the estate.
The referee found that instead OF Plumb being
Indebted TO the estate, Mrs. Mares was lndeoted
10 her father to the extent OF about $5Uo