New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-05
DISCOVERY, THEN DEATH.
SHORTAGE FOUND IN THE ACCOUNTS
OF GREAT NECK's POSTMASTER.
JOHN II. BAXTER DEPosED FROM OFFICE By AN
INSPECTOR AND HIS BoSDsMEN-sEIzEp
WITH FATAL ILLNESS SOON AFTER
MYSTERY MAY RE REVEALED
BY AUTOPSY AND IN
QUEST.

Great Neck Long Island April John X Baxter
until Saturday Hast postmaster OF this place. died
this afternoon at O'Clock. On Saturday the post
Office was taken from his charge because post
Office inspector who came TO inspect the accounts
called on the bondsmen to make good a shortage
OF ss53 % he claimed to find in the accounts and
which Mr.. Baxter. according to the bondsmen' ala
not deny. After the interview between Mr.. Baxter
the inspector and the bondsmen. Mr.. Baxter went
home and did not again appear the streets
Last night IL was announced that he was Ill. Doc
tors were summoned. and found him unconscious
He died this aft ernoon and a certificate OF death
refused.
Mr. Baxter was born here about Nifty years ago
He was n licensed pharmacist, and FOR number
Of years was the village druggist few years ago
he closed his store, and only did occasional bus-
ness for old patrons keeping his stock OF drugs at
his home He was appointed postmaster by Pres-
dent Garfield. and was reapponted by President
Harrison. and was appointed year ago for thrd
time by President Mckinley. During President
Cievelands administrations he out OF office.
the place being given TO Democrat During his
previous terms his accounts were always IN GOOD
shape
Postofice Inspector Duryea. who had often ex
amined the books or the Office says ne was greatly
surprised this visit TO across what APP
peared TO be an error and at first thought IT was
nothing more. but his examination proceeded
he found the accounts badly involved.
The last examination was six months ago. long
er interval than usual as the examinations usually
occurred about every three months. Inspector Dur
yea came here on Friday. He spent the day trying
10 straighten the accounts but did not reach
a conclusion in the work until Saturday. He then
had a talk with Postmaster Baxter and they went
to the house OF Henry Nineslng. one OF the bonds
men. The matter laid before Mr.. Nneslng
with the inspectors statement that either Mr. Bax-
ter or the bondsmen would have TO pay the Govern
ment 1858 Is. which not forthcoming in the
office.
MT Ninesling at called a meeting OF the
bondsmen They wero Thomas Ellard. Dr. WILL
lam n Hoag Of Manhassett. and Henry W Allen
the latter a brother-in-law Of Baxter They are
qualified in 1900. and after canvassng the matter
assured Inspector Duryea the shortage would no
paid by them. To them Mr.. Baxter is alleged TO
have said that he and he alone responsible for
the mixed condition OF the books There
mors that others were concerned in the matter in
an Indirect way and the statement is said to have
been brought forth by a question by one OF the
bondsmen as to whether there any cause for
the shortage.
The bondsmen were told they were responsible
for the Office until relieved by the appointment
and qualification of n new postmaster, and they
dnc cts M Ruryea agreed uPoa Austin HICKS OF
Nj Duryea then turned the postoffice over 10 Mr.:
Hicks. and Yesterday the belongings were moved
to Hicks Brothers
Mr. Baxter did not appear on the streets on
he Was H rk fae at nsb r f Hoas amy s D
yelling were hastily summoned. They found Mr..
unconscious.
died. DR.. yelling remained with him continually
until the end When Mr. Baxter died DIT yelling
refused a certificate and informed Justice OLeary.
Nassau County has no coroners and their places
taken by justices.
Dr. yelling said this evening he could do nothing
except what ne did The doctor said:
II DO not care 10 say what caused Mr.. Baxters
death until after the autopsy and inquest which
will be held by Justice OLeary. ! felt II my duty,
under the circumstances. 10 inform him Of the
case. While ! was in constant attendance upon
the dead man for twelve hours before he died. 1
cannot give certificate. Mr. Baxter uncon-
scious when reached his bedside. He rema med
to the end Mr.. Baxter is said 10 have suffered
from heart trouble and catarrh OF the stomach for
some years. but he did not die from either The
symp toms not those OF either. 7 will say
nothing further TO the cause OF death. ] might
guess rightly and | might he entirely wrong. The
autopsy and inquest will show the OF DEATH
Opinion In the village is divided over the Of
death. Mr. Bakers friends say his death was nat
urai and caused by worry. Others think that
death was caused by poison. Justice OLeary has
ordered an autopsy and the inquest Will be held on
Friday evening. ..n.