The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-04
VAN WYCK'S
COUSIN IS
INAS SCRAPE
Abrams, Whom He Took Home
Intoxicated, Found Dead
on Lounge.

New York. Feb. 4--Edward Van Wyck,
a cousin OF Mayor Van Wyck and a scion
OF one of Long Islands leading families.
will be called upon tomorrow to tell what
he knows about the death of aged Jacob
Abrams, OF oyster Bay.
Abrams was found dead in his home
about three miles rom oyster Bay Fri
day morning. His face was daubed with
gold paint and on his right hip was a
deep cut. apparently the result of a fall.
Abrams was sixty years old and was
the butt OF the young men OF the town.
The evening before his death Abrams
spent at the house OF Capt Ed Baker,
where the sportive young men OF the
town often met. The members OF the
party Thursday night were Edward Bak-
er, Fred +. Baker, ED" Van Wycl,
Lou" Bennett and Charles Walmser.
Edward Bakers wife and another woman
were also In the party
CONFLICTING STORIES TOLD.
Conflicting stories are told as 10 what
happened then. Mrs. Baker told re-
porter that Abrams was intoxicated when
he came there and had only two drinks
IN her house. lie left about 10 o'clock
and was helped home by Van Wyck and
Bennett. She declares Abrams was able
TO walk.
Ed" Baker told john Abrams, the old
mans son, that his father became so in
toNicated that Van Wyck and Bennett had
10 carry him home and lay him on the
sofa in his room.
All agreed that his face was daubed
with gold paint. when he arrived at Bak-
er's house but other witnesses have been
found who saw him at S o'clock, sober
and with his race unpainted.
Abrams was found dead the next morn
ing by Willie Baker. Ed Bakers five
year-old son. who was sent up 10 ask
the old man 10 go on an errand.
Mrs. Baker then investigated and noti-
fed Justice OF the Peace Walter Frank
lin, of Oyster Bay. who in his capacity OF
coroner went up with DR.. George w.
Faller, and started an inquiry.
DIR. Faller found that the old man died
either from cerebral apopeXy or alcohol
ism. There were no evidences OF foul
play. but there is a question whether the
attack which ended the old mans life
came In Bakers house or his own
John Abrams. who works in Brooklyn.
had a further examination of his father $
body made by Dr. j. s. Hall, who found
indications of violence.
PAINT DIDN'T HURT HIM.
II was thought for time that the old
! mans death might have been hastenec
by the use OF the gold paint, but ther,
was not enough OF IL applied to do any
serious injury.
Justice Franklin will hold an inquest on
Tuesday. when District Attorney William
n eFF4ta444,- -Aassat- County will be
present. All the persons concerned I'm the
case were before the coroner, but Van
Wyck. Baker and the others refused "a
tell what took place at Bakers house or
Thursday night.
when Van Wyck was told OF report
that Abrams had died i'm Bakers house
he exclaimed:
THE old man was alive when l took
him 20 his own home and laid him on tn,
sofa F"
Mrs. Noorheest. who keeps a grocery
store and lives In the same building az
Abrams did, declares that sNt was
! awakened at o'clock Friday morning by
a noise In Abrams apartments and saw
bright light there. Baker and Var
Wyck declare they eX,inguished the light
DR.. Faler said when he saw Abrams
body at a. m. he had not been dead
more than three or four hours
Edward Van Wyck is the son OF the
late Whitehouse Van Wyck. of Hunting.
ton.