New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-16
Mr.. CHICKERING'S DEATH.
HIS WIDOW AND WATERFOWL DOCTORS
SUSPECT FOUL PLAY.

WATERFOWL. N Y Feb 15.-"The Standard
this afternoon prints long statement signed
by Mrs. Charles A Chickering widow OF KEEP
resentative Chickering who died at New YORK
by falling from a fourth story window of the
Grand Union Hotel; DR.. H II. Cramer and }. D
Mitchell private secretary to the Congressman
tn which It is stated that they think it possible
that Mr. Chickering the victim of foul play
In the statement the signers scout the idea that
Chickering committed suicide. They say that
he was either thrown from the window. or else
was frightened at a threat or by an imaginary
intruder
The statement says that Mr.. Chickering was
always careless about leaving his room door
unlocked, and that he generally carried consld-
cradle money. Mr.. Chickering. the doctor says
had never expressed any wish 10 die. but was
anxious to return to work He had requested ms
wife to get plenty of rest, in order better TO De
able to care for him when he returned MI
Cbickering was timid man against any rash
act His worst feelings were IN the iiioi HiS'
when he was weak.
The statement says that his friends in New
York are in possession OF positive proof that he
did not commit suicide In conclusion, 1t says:
We think Mr. Chickering did not commit sui
eide. He was either knocked or thrown from
the room, or frightened into leaving 1t by the
window, by the fire escape, or may have pc
lieved he was on the ground floor, easy or exit
His doctors affirm that desire to die was for
eign to his nature. words and actions up to the
last day OF his life. and that he stated on leaV-
ing Washington that he had everything to i've
for and the effort to go to New-York was 10 see
DR.. Hammond and to get well: that ne ai4 see see
him and that a dispatch to DIR. Cramer from
Dr. Hammond reads that all was pleasant Win
Mr. Chickering, as usual. -,
Mr. Chickering's doctors his famliy anu
friends. who saw him daily know his mind was
not in a condition to seek self-destructon. :.
The circumstances and SURROUNDINGS snow, II
IS said, that ne was frightened INTO nv my,
which was fatal, was q victim OF loul pray
This latter theory has many points IN l's laNoi'
and will be thoroughly investigated
c.sntsin McCluslxy of the Detective Bureau, when
seen ridiculed the idea of foul play He SAID 'nat
no report of any suspicious clrcuinsl ahces was
made to him in regard 10 the DEATH ana the ponce
Of the East Thirty-ifth-st. station, who handled
N. case found nothing on which to base such
belief Congressman Chickering hao MS watch anu
money and private papers when MS pooy was
found The police at Headquarters say there is ao-
soluteIy nothing in the theory that the CohsieSS-
man was a victim Of foul play
DR. Graeme NJ. Hammond, the well known AMEN
ssf who was the intimate personal friend as wen
as the physician CT MI Chickering, when asked
about the report last evening. said;
1t perfectly ridiculous was with n1 NJ o Gh5ck
He then cheerful, and told me 1uI! sto ba
f5 e sac b Starred for washington at noon As
left him he was laughing and Joking caInoi t I'm,
sgine foul play Mr. Chickerng must nave e 1nd
was temporarily deranged. The first heaTd OF
This statement about foul play was from MI; orc
OF the Grand Union Hotel, and he agrees Win me-
Simeon Ford, one of the proprietors Of the Grand
Union HoIl. said:
II IS impossible think, that any outside violence
could come to Mr.. Chickering. II would be impossi-
bic for a struggle take place in the hotel with
out the night watchmen hearing It, They patrol
the hall all night, and could hear the slightest
noise Mr. Chickering at $3.50 o'clock In
the evening by his physician, DR.. Hammond, who
left him a comfortable condition for the night
After he was found in the morning the room was
Just Il when the doctor Went away: Inc
lock had not been tempered with EverytninR IN
# any person or persons had forced their way IN
and tried TO harm him.