The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-19

D. W. ' du brbthlluf AHt OiN-tiAt itSA-
dent of Seattle. who attempted suicide by
slashing his throat VITA razor Satur-
day night, died shortly after IL O'Clock this
morning. Yesterday afternoon he became
unconscious, and from that time on sank
gradually until death came. Dr. J. r.
Booth. his attending physician, states that
while the razor wound would not under
ordinary circumstances have caused death,
Mr.. Van Brocklin was so weakened by
long illness that he never rallied from the
shock and loss of blood.
Mr. Van Brocklins room at Providence
hospital was yesterday afternoon the
scene of n death-bed reconciliation be-
tween father and son. As is well known
by all acquaintances of the family, there
had for several years been an estrange-
ment between Mr.. Van Brocklln and hiram
L. Van Brocklin, the elder Of his two
sons The quarrel arose over the fathers
opposition to the sons marriage. and since
1t the two men had not spoken.
When he read in a newspaper yester-
day morning that his father had attempt
ed suicide and was lying near to death
at the hospital. young Van Brocklin
hurried to his parents bedside. There. in
the presence of n few witnesses, the two
men shook hands and buried their en-
nifty. Less than ten hours after the
touching scene was enacted the father
closed his eyes upon the world and
breathed his last
AS was stated in the observation-disclosures
yesterday Mr.. Van Brocklin has suffered
many weeks with an obscure and ex-
tremely painful disease of the kidneys.
and was without doubt temporarily in
sane at the time he made the rash at
tempt to end his life at his home. 800 Co
umbia street For days he had endured
torture so insufferable that he prayed for
death and day and night cried aloud in
agony. His system was greatly weak
ened by the ravages Of the disease and
in his mind, the physician says. affected.
John Wesley Van Brock had for more
than eighteen years been n resident of
Seattle and prominent In business and
in politics. He was born In jefferson
county, N. Y, April s. 1887 He came
West to Colorado in 1859 with H. A. w.
Tabor. afterward United States senator.
For several years he engaged in freight
ing on the plains and later mined where
Cripple Creek now stands.
He was one of the discoverers OF tho
Alder Gulch gold placers in Montana.
and worked I'm that camp for three years
sinking q fortune of $50 900 in mining OPP
erations, He then took up a homestead
at Twin Bridges Mont. and later worked
for Noah Armstrong, now of this city.
putting In reduction works at Glendale.
While n resident of Montana MFR. Van
Brockln did considerable similar work.
being a millwrght by trade.
In October. 1852. Mr. Van Brocklin came
to Seattle. and had since resided here. He
engaged I'm the building and contracting
business and erected some costly build
ings In 1883 he superintendent the build
ing of the King county court house. He
built the first and only brick veneer rest
dence in Seattle at Sixth and Terrace
streets.
During the administration of J. T. Rom
aid as mayor, In 1899. Mr.. Van Brocklin
was appointed a member OF the board OF
public works. and served for more than
two years. For the last five years he
had engaged in mining in Southeastern
Alaska, at Helm bay and near Ketchikan,
At the time he was stricken with his last
Illness he was working upon an invention,
fine gold saving machine for use at
Cape Nome. He had Invented several
machines of the same kind
Mr.. van Brocklln had been married
three times. His first wife died In New
York. He was divorced from the second
In this city about six years ago. Tho
third, who was Mrs. Ada Kennedy, sur
| wives him. and was at his bedside yes
terday. He leaves two sons. Hiram T..
| and Frank H.. and an adopted daughter
| Helen. The younger son Is now at Skag-
way.
Nj Van Brocklin was at one time re-
| puted quite wealthy lie atm owned con-
| siderable real estate at the time OF his
| death. besides his properties in Alaska