The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-14
THE DEATH OF
MR.. J.E. HUNT00N
Gave Rise to the Rumor Of Heavy
Insurance.
NOT SUBSTANTlATED, THOUGH.
Mr.. X. L. VolImcr Says In His Ton
Years Association Win Him
There Was Nothing said
About Insurance.

The death OF Mr.. J. T. Huntoon at the
Old Dominion Hospital last week gave
rise to the rumor that he carried policy
Of 81 900 900 on his life. This rumor seems
TO have been only rumor.
lie was well known in Richmond. came
here about three times a year FOR num-
Der Of years. His main business was
that of an electrician and he carried on
the lightning rod business extensively.
He had as an assistant Mr. X. l.. NOil-
mer Of this city. who accompanied him
In his travels throughout the country.
Several weeks ago he came 10 Rich
mond and put up at FOrd's Hotel lie
was visited there by numbers OF his
friends IN Richmond and 10 ono OF these
ne spoke Of his failing health. and said
that he felt that his death was near at
hand. lie said he could feel that his
heart was all out of order and he expect
ed 10 pass away at any time.
The same evening that he made that
remark he went TO the Old Dominion
Hospital. where in a day or two he died
of heart failure, a few minutes after
having had a pleasant conversation with
some of his friends.
Mr. Huntoon kept his business matters
10 himself lie always had plenty Of
funds in his possession and had fancy
for new bank bills ana new silver and
would always get old money changed for
new.
lie was thought at one time 20 have
been employed by the government in cleo
trical construction and he Is known to
nave had a brokers' Office IN Wall street
at one time
HIS EFFECTS.
At his death there was 1924 I'm his ef-
fects. a deed for lot I'm the Newark NJ.
Pleasant Cemetery and other little ef-
fects. but there was nothing 20 show that
he carried any insurance on his life.
Immediately after his death Mir. h. +.
Volmer wired 10 the firm of Hoge. Brown
& Tyler. in New York. that fact The
telegram was repeated to the firms sue
cessors in Boston. Houston & Henderson,
and through them Mr.. Wheeler was in
formed of his brother-in-law death.
Mr.. T. T. Dewitt also telegraphed 10
firm in Boston and had !hem wire to
their Boston connections 10 tell MY.
Wheeler Of the death. Mr.. Wheeler wired
TO have the body sent on TO Newark 10
}. y. Truesdel. and that he would meet
it there and attend to the funeral arrange
ments
Mr. Wheeler then came on TO Rich
mond ana paid Undertaken Christian all
Incidental expenses, and said he had seen
the body Of Mr.. Huntoon and had ii
buried lie also made inquiries as 20
! whether Mr.. Huntoon had any funds
I'm the local banks. but found none. lie
knew nothing Of Mr. Huntoon's business
matters.
kept him generally posted as 90 his
whereabouts. sometimes in Europe some
times in Australia, and in various other
parts Of the world.
Those who had business relations with
Hntoon in Richmond say he was
prompt business man and that his affairs
were always correct.
KNEW NOTHING or INSURANCE.
Mr.. NOllmer said yesterday I'm refer
ence 10 the insurance alleged TO have
been carried by Mr.. Huntoon. that I'm his
ten years association with him he heard
of no such insurance. and that if he did
carry Il, the policy was locked up in
some safety deposit vault or was destroy
ed There was nothing found I'm his ef-
fects 10 lead to the supposition that a
large insurance was carried. or that any
Insurance was carried. The business re-
lations between Mr. Huntoon and Mr.
Volimer were OF the most pleasant, and
IN the ten years relationship between the
two gentlemen Mr. Vollmer saws there
was nothing 10 indicate that Mr.. Hun
tOon was ever engaged in operating q
poker-room or anything else of that
nature.
His home was. he considered. in New
York but his business was such as 10 car
~ him all over the country. and Richmond
I'm = sense, was as much his home as any
other city. His mother is living and has
her home in Boston with her daughter.
number Of kilograms were received
yesterday from New York and Newark,
asking about the alleged 100000 insur-
ance policy. one dispatch stated that
the body of Mr.. Huntoon had not reach
ed Newark. These rumors could not be
verified here
The body was certainly sent to Newark
by Undertaken Christian and Mr.
Wheeler said he saw it inferred there.