New-York tribune., 1900-08-08
DETECTIVE ENDS his LIFE.
EDWARD L. NwILLIAMS WILL BE SEEN
AT THE AsToR HOUSE no MORE.
HE WAS TRIED FOR A BANK ROBBERY
WHILE CHIEF OF POLICE IN JER-
sEY CITY.


Edward L. McwimiaEns. at one time Chief of
Police OF Jersey City, end FOR the last twenty
one years employed detective at the Astor
House. committed suicide by shooting himself
yesterday afternoon at the Cosmopolitan HOTEL
West Broadway and Chambers-st. He left no
note ot explanation, but It is thought that III
health was the cause. He had been under the
care OF q physician for long time. and this
physician called at the Leonard-st. police sta
tion soon after report OF the case was made
there, ana said that Mcwilliams for several
years had been a victim Of cancer Of the stom-
ach
7 think the agony the man suffered" added
the physician. drove him TO seek death he
made an unsuccessful effort TO put bullet into
his head about year ago in my presence
got the revolver away from him before ne could
hurt himself" The physician, 1t was learned
was DR.. w. ". Varlck, president of the Board
Of Health of Jersey City. and relative OF the
dead man
Owing to his long connection with the Astor
House, McWiniems was one Of the best known
hotel detectives IN this country. He was on
duty at the Astor House until about o'clock
yesterday afternoon. and then went directly TO
the Cosmopolitan Hotel where he was assigned
TO room on the third floor, overlooking
Chambers-st. Before going TO the room he told
the clerk he intended TO take a nap.
ASKED TO BE CALLED AT 4 O'CLOCK.
BE sure 10 wake me at 4 O'clock he said.
IF fail TO get up when the boy knocks on the
door have him enter the room to wake me-" At
4 O'Clock the day clerk sent Of the bellboys
TO awaken him The boy knocked the door.
and falling to get response to his knocks en-
tered the room. AS he opened the door he saw
MeWilliams lying on the bed with a bullet
wound IN his head. The bullet had entered the
- f-E = Hoa
the right eye. In the mans hand was a new re-
volver. The boy at once told the clerk what ne
had seen, and the hotel physician was sum-
moned.
After examining the body the physician said
the man had been dead about an hour and
half. The bullet WIS found on the bed beslde MS
head. 4 careful search of the clothing was
made for some note explaining why he had COM
rnittsd suicide. but none was found. When Nc
IVilIiams's body was discovered he dressed
as he was on entering his room, with the ex-
ceptton OF HIS coat. which he hGd removed ana
placed on a chair. He had 800 in bills. some
change and q number Of Jewels The body was
taken TO the Leonar6st. police station. and later
removed 10 undertaker's shop.
McWilliams was single and was about fifty
seven years old. When young man he was
made Chief OF Police Of Jersey City and on
leaving that Office he secured employment as
detective at the Astor House. He leaves mum
Der Of relatives Including a brother and two sis
ters His brother is Jefferson McWilliams. pres
gdent of The Manhattan Delivery COMPANY
whose home is No. 263 Central Park West.
Tgts sisters are Mrs J E Scott at prese Mt at
Suydam-st, Jersey City
The manager OF the Astor House said last
rie+ soH ond tbs+ be id not know what
had led him to commit suicide
TRIED FOR BANK ROBBERY.
Mcwilliams was born in Jersey City on June
"a. 1872 was educated at the public schools and
learned the trade of mason and plasterer. In
1854 he appointed a detective and when
the cities Of Jersey City. Bergen and Hudson
were consolidated in 1871 he was appointed
Chief Of Police. but resigned In October. 1872,
publican National Convention, at Philadelphia,
IN June Of that year when Mrs. Beamer, who
occupied the house, No Exchange Place, and
rented furnished rooms, discovered that three
OF her lodgers who represented themselves to
he artists worked at night and were absent
during the day. Her curiosity was excited, and
she made an investigation. A heavy bookcase
that was placed against the wall moved,
and a large hole in the wall was re
and an aperture had been made in the
wall. She secretly concluded that the
ton Wallis. then president of the bank who in
turn informed Acting Chief Of Police McHorney.
proved TO be three well known professional
thieves-Proctor, Denning and Foley. They ac-
cused Chief McWilliams Of being in collusion,
! and said that for the protection he guaranteed
he have a share Of the booty They
said that If he haG remained in the city and
protected them as he should have done that he
would have received the notice of the discovery
and have warned them TO abandon the job, and
they would have escaped arrest. McWilliams
Etrenuousiy denounced the allegation. and de-
clared II TO be spite work Of vicious men. and
pointed TO his absence from the city as proof
OF his innocence. He indicted and tried
The first trial resulted in disagreement, and
the second IN acduttal He had been suspended
Chief OF Police. After his acquittal he re-
signed and was appointed detective at the As
tor House The three bank burglars were sent
70 State prison for fifteen years each. A few
months later McWilliams was attacked in Cort-
landt-sI. by named Johnston, and Nc
Williams shot and mortally wounded him. He
was exonerated by the Coroner's jury. as it was
shown that Johnston, who a friend Of the
three bank burglars intended to kill McWill-
Jams.
GOES 10 pENLTENTLARY FRnm cRnrcE