New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-15
ROPE, GAS AND PISTOL.
SALoONKEEPER ENDS HIS LIFE AFTER
SENDING FOR WIFE AND
UNDERTAKEN.

With pistol rope and gas Henry Wilkens a saloon
keeper at No. lG4 Nassau-st.. about ending his
lie yesterday afternoon. The pistol shot killed
him. WiIkens thirty-nine years DID, and had
been conducting a prosperous liquor business at the
northeast corner of Nassau and Ann SITS for thir-
teen or fourteen years, He lived with his wife at
No 254 East Nineteenth-st., Flatbush, and accord
ing 20 her. their married life a pleasant one.
Wilkens had been suffering for a year with throat
trouble Recently he consulted a physician and
told his wife that the doctor had said he had the
same disease that General Grant died Of" From
this it Is supposed that Wilkens had cancer of the
throat He also suffered from sciatica-
Yesterday morning Wilkens left his wife about
10 O'Clock, telling her that he had some business
which required his attention In NewYork. He ar
rived at his saloon about an hour later. He tele-
phoned TO Herman H. Kipp, undertaken at No.
III First-ave., he reached the city. tell
ing him that friend was dead and that he had
better stay at his place Of business he might get
the job of burying him. Mr.. Kipp knew Wilkens
slightly. and the latter said he would let him
know about the matter later in the day he took no
action except to wait his undertaking shop for.
further messages
About noon Wilkens called the bootblack at the
saloon. Antonio Arononto. and asked him 10 take a
message TO his wife. The boy started, and after
he had gone Willzens asked q brother of the boot
black 10 take another note for him This second
note was TO the undertaken Kipp. 1t apprised him
Of the fact that Wikens would be dead by the time
the note reached him and that he wished him to
10 Mrs Wilkens told her that he had come to the
conclusion that there was of trying to live
longer and bade her an a1fectionate ad.eu.
Both Mrs. Wilkens and the undertaken started
for the saloon they received the notes
Mrs WIkens was the first to arrive. She could not
get into the saloon at $50 o'clock and was told to
80 10 the Oal-st. police station She told the
geant Of her suspicious and he sent Detective Allen
and Patrolman Egan with her TO the saloon. Egan
forced an entrance by way of the fanIight and ad-
lying on the bar. It read: Body in the icebox"
The iceboX in the saloon was first searched.
Wilkens not there Then the police went to
the cellar, where there is large box used for the
open the door they were nearly rendered Uncon-
scioqs by the flow Of gas with which the icebox was
revolver was lied sbout his ~ c ~ and I7taT
Loss fae+e1e5 - -, ~ Is SIe5t au uLyLeI
The arrangement of the revolver showed great care
ana pains 1t was fastened with piece of clothes
line the strands of which had been unwound and
[s4teheG TO the %eapon as to make it point
Irvine, fastened 10 the trigger had a loop in the
Wkens to slip his foot into it and pull the trigger
IN lhat way he mad evidently stood half bar
q turned on The gas and put the end Of the tube
barrii P1eTa ne nae S then stepped of the half
Two cartridges IN the revolver had been discharged
An electric light was turned In the icebox.
MIS- HikeEs was not allowed to see the body of
her husband until it had been taken down No let
his coat. waistcoat, collar and necBtie and these
we're found hanging on nail just outside the ice
The police informed the Coroner's office and q
Kipp. the undertaken did not get to the s+e3i Gg;
until after Mrs. Wikens had arrived He had hoped
make public the letter he had received or 70 urn 81
SET[ 70 me police but said be would give it to the
Mrs; Wilkens. who was accompanied by her sis
ter Mrs schuter. said last night that she thought
her husband must have become insane from bro665
is over ms physical condition He was too sensi-
because Of q physicians diagnosis MS o"A NE