New-York tribune., 1901-05-22
THE SUICIDE CONFIRMED.
DISPATCH FROM THE REV MIR WEB
STER TELLS THE SAD STORY

Any doubt which may have fingered in the minds
of the parishioners of the Rev. DR.. Babcock that
he committed suicide in Naples dispelled yes
terday by the receipt from the Rev. George S.
Webster. OF the Church of the Covenant. who has
taken charge of the body. of the following dis
patch:
DR.: Babcock was i'll for twelve days prior TO his
death. He reached Naples Thursday, May 9,
German physicians who diagnosed the case as
Gus but he was placed in the best hospital here.
and for several days had the best care of English
symptoms of melancholia and mental depression.
but he was under the care of a regular attendant
Shortly before the catastrophe the nurse found
of acute mania he locked the door, took poison and
cut both wrists He discovered by the nurse
of any help. He died at 6:l5 o'clock on Saturday
morning. Dr. Riggs reached the hospital at :
O'Clock, and he. with the consul received the body
from the authorities in the afternoon and pre-
held on Sunday morning in the mortuary chapel
of the English Cemetery. where the body now
York
Before the message given to the reporters the
officers of the Brick Presbyterian Church held a
meeting downtown to consider it. I'VE feel said
one of the officers. that DIR. Webster's statement
covers the ground, and we add nothing to it
at this time
1t will be noticed that the dispatch not tell
how Or. BabCock obtained the poison. and the
hospital authorities criticised pretty generally
for allowing il TO into the patients possess
sion.
Little surprise Is felt by some that fever should
bring meancholia in DIR. Babcock's case be-
cause II is said that his former attack, for which
he went to a Dansville, y. Y, sanatorium. was
brought on by sewer which permeated his
study in his Lockport church. on that occasion
1t Is said DR. Babcock's melancholia caused his
friends grave fears. Officials OF the Brick Church
said yesterday that steps had been taken yet
regarding funeral arrangements.
In speaking of the work of Or. Babcock Chan
cellor Henry NJ. MacCracken of New-York Uni
versity said
Or. Malthie D. Babcock accepted an election the
council At the time Of his acceptance he stated
that he had adopted general rule in coming TO
w-Hork TO accept no positions outside of church
work that did him as impera tive
duties. He looked however upon the work in the
corporation OF New York University. which thus
came 20 hin unsought, as an obligatory service
AS suCh he accepted II. with distinct understand
Ing that the committee required Of i'm
should be reduced 10 definite and narrow limits
His accession 10 the university corporation was re-
garded as adding an intelligent. enthusiastic and
ereCtive laborer to the cause of higher education
In the metropolis.
Just before DR. Babcock's sailing | was deeply
impressed by the last utterance | heard from him
II was n paper read before the Chi Alpha Society
as treated by the great poets. The reader was elo-
quent, sympathetic and absorbed by the hone of
immortality. Only week since from my son in a
college at Rayreuth Syria. | had word that Dr.
there on the Sunday which he spent i'm that CITY
q very great sermon. | have known no man In
New-Hork that in short time has made himself
felt for good in so many ways.