New-York tribune., 1901-05-29
DR.. RABCOCK'S LAST DAYS.
THE REV. DIR. WILTON MERLE SMITH
A FELLOW VOYAGER, TALKS OF
HIS DEAD FRIEND.

The melancholia that attended the last hours of
the Rev Dr. Maltbie d. Babcock. the pastor of the
Brick Presbyterian Church. who died at Naples
May IS. described last night by the Rev.
DR.. Wilton Merle Smith, pastor of the Central
Presbyterian Church.
DR.. Smith member of DR.. Babcock's party.
which he had abandoned at Naples on May 16, or
two days before Dr. Babcock's death. DR.. Smith
did not learn that DIR. Babcock was dead until
he reached Gibraltar, May IS. He did not know
that his fellow traveller had killed himself until
he reached Quarantine yesterday. With Dr. Smith
were three other members of the Babcock party
the Rev. Dr. Henry T. Miller. of Detroit: John p
Ammedon, tin plate manufacturer, OF Baltimore
and A. p. McGraw. of McGraw. N. Y.
In speaking Of DR.. Babcocks illness, DR.. Smith
said last night TO a Tribune reporter that there
no doubt that the killed himself in a fit
of derium. He does not think the hospital au-
thorites were to blame. It was a case he thought.
where could be held accountable. Contin-
uing, he said
Before his Illness there was no brighter member
tribued TO everybody's enjoyment. He organized
a male quartet which sang delightfully."- He was
was taken III he read and rected Wordsworth for
be m D 0 Re waV from Constantnope 10
Brindsl. The day we landed at Brlndisi he had a
s to- &aPes 3Sxer For s tWo W % "ys he we Was III
taken to the T Internatinna Hospital Which is really
an English hospital With English trained u nurses @
fore he died He had every care and attention,
The physicians constantly assured us ne was NOT
ranean fever. saying such fever was common
among travellers. They said II was fever similar I
day before sailed l the doctor at the head
Ga 5ss hGa it, %h9 Hnd Was s9s doing R ney
This fever the doctors told US. often worried upon
the feelings the nerves, sometimes exciting ana
sometimes depressing. With Dr. Babcock II
depreSs. He apprehenstve ana az times ue-
riGus and his state saPPoSe {mGugn Glb n9'
The morning l left Naples. two days before his
death, his temperature had fallen. | went In to
say goodby He told when / asked the physi-
clan what kind of night he had had that he had
had less excitement, but more depressi9n IN hut as as
better and came away, quite reaSsured concerning
him. The doctor also said he hoped the worst was
stay. and "A woman friend of Mrs. Babcock. felt
l could go. At Gibraltar heard the hare news Of
course. only knew of Dr; Bahcock,s condition up
the day l sailed. OF the after development Of
DR. Babcock had excellent care at the hospital.
There day nurse and special night nurse
tion and care that ordinary prudence could have
suggested for ono who seemed not 10 be danger
ously Ill, No one could possibly have foreseen
such tragedy; that his noble mind would thus
suddenly become so unhnged no one could have
foretold.
I never knew a happier man than DR. Babcock
He was most happy in his home and in his work. I
regarded him as preacher without equal for
combination of brilliant mind. unusually n
secrated heart and unfailing hopefulness made his
preaching TO be an inspiration. No be
missed more than Maltbie Babcock. His death is a
calamity the church. He needed as few men
are needed. Such an interruption of a life useful
Is a mystery. indeed.
Mr.. Ammidon said:
morning when DR. Rabcock's mind was perfectly
clear. Toward evening der!um would set in. The
would take this turn. He told US that DR. Rahcock
had had the disease in his system for some time.