New-York tribune., 1901-05-20
PARLSHIONERS SHOCKED.
ALL AGREE THAT DIR. 'BABCOCK MUST
HAVE KILLED HIMSELF IN DE-
LIRIUM FROM THE FEVER

i VINO were INFORMED IdSC nlSnI or the repOrteQ
| suicide of Dr. Babcock appeared dumfounded
at the news 1t the expression of every
one of them that their pastor had committed the
act in the frenzy of delirium caused by the
| fever with which he was suffering. AS one said:
"Dr. Babcock was a light hearted. buoyant.
healthy man. whose sunshine of nature was
contagious He frightened and enlivened whom
soever he met. 1 never saw shadow cross his
| face"
The first member of the congregation to re-
| ceive the news of the suicide was William d.
| Barbour. treasurer of the church. when the AS
sociate Press dispatch was shown to him by a
Tribune reporter at his home. No. 233 Madison
ave
Mr. Barbour silent after seeing the cable
message until some asked:
Mr.. Barbour. what do you think of it?''
II can't think" was the answer. Then after
another pause he said:
This news has come to after thirty hours
Of terrible suspense. I received the first in
formation Of DR.. Babcock's death yesterday
morning. 1t was the baldest kind Of cable
dispatch and simply said:
"'Dr. Babcock died this morning
"It was signed by the Rev DIR. James A Riggs.
of Auburn. who in the party with which
DIR. Babcock was travelling. Immediately T
cabled for further particulars. I waited all day
yesterday and last night until midnight but no
answer came My first impression on receiving
the cable dispatch was that the Mediterranean
fever with which he suffering had taken a
sudden turn and proved fatal We knew that
DIR. Babcock had been afflicted with this fever.
and was sick enough TO be in hospital fr-~r
dispatch which Mrs. Babcock Wednesday
When no word came this morning sent two
more dispatches in care of DIR. Riggs. and ad-
dressed TO Gaze's agency. l now regret using
r hat rha pcvfS off,
was closed whe- the dispatches reached Naples
/ then sent DIR. Riggs another, in care Of the
vessel. but with results.
"In order that we might at the same time aid
Mrs. Babcock in the extremity in which she has
suddenly been placed. number of the congre-
CATION called upon Senator Depew and asked
him to send a dispatch to the American consul
at Naples. asking him TO help Mrs Babcock in
every way that was in his power.
Now i have this Associated Press message,
which appears in spite of all the horror of IT.
to be true.
"Of all poisons. corrosive sublimate is the last
| would think first class hospital (as know
the International to bel would have lying about
and especially within reach Of patients suffering
from fever and liable to have delirium- Surely
they would not leave patient alone. Some Of
the friends in the party must have been con-
stantIy at his bedside. But then we can only
theorize until we get the details of this dread
full affair.
ITO give you an idea of the temperament OF
Maltbie Babcock, he saw everything in the sun
niest light and if you or l should have COM
plained of a dismal or dark day Dr. Babcocs
would be sure to see it a little less dreary thar
we would He was Just bubbling over with good
health He was an athlete. and never failed tc
take exercise-just as regularly as his meals II
was only the other day that received letter
;,,y,+ Jvx-irL
cheerfuIness and happiness. He spoke Of his
sn1andid health and that OF his wife. His con-
dition must have been perfect at the time he
wrote.
.Inasmuch as the members Of Dr. Babcocki
congregation and his friends know that all dis
patches concerning him would be likely TO come
to me- have been overwhelmed with inquiries
since Yesterday morning In consequence 1t ha:
been necessary TO employ two extra men-one ''
tend the telephone and one the door,
DIR. Babcock was in fit of delirium when NJ
took his life II is a misfortune the greatness
and gravity of which we cannot measure
Mr. Barbour said that DIR. Babcock had no
been ill a day 10 his knowledge since coming u
Nav-York. Mrs Babcock. he said. was no
strong and there was considerable fear that sh'
could not stand the climate of New-1ork
Frank s Hastings. another member OF ths
congregation. said in speaking of Dr. Baoeocki
death:
ct was a member of the party with which NJ
called for the Holy Land in February. All thu
WAY over he talked of his plans for continuing
his church work when he came back He wal
so enthusiastically Interested that he would no
b,va taken the trip had not the engagement
beea made before he came TO the Brick Church
IN some time before being called TO this city
h /. promised TO go the trip, and he came her,
with the express stipulation that he should bs
allowed to go 70 the Holy Land There was alb
solutely criticism in the church of his going
and there was never the least criticism OF MI
work. His relations with the church were mos
harmonious and cordial
His family relations too, were of the pleas
ATTEST. DIR. BabcOck and his wife almos
inseparabIe. In the Holy Land the weather
very hot and many OF the party were sick.
was sick myself and i questioned DIR. Babcocl
closely as to his health. He said that he haf
never felt better i left the party at Jerusalem
about the end of April 10 come home Dr. Bah
cock went on to BeyrCut TO meet Mrs. Babcock
who had been unable to stand the fatigue of tn
horseback and stage coach tour of the Hol.
Land The last L heard from them in
letter dated May 2. in which Mrs. Babcock sal
that DIR. BabcOck had Joined her and she wa
perfectly happy.
From Beyrout they go to CONSTANT
nople and from there Greece and Italy
that time there was much sickness in Southern
Europe and tourists were hurrytng away Wit
all speed. Ii was very difficult TO get passag
of typhoid fever / suppose DR. Babcock mus
have taken the fever while on the way TO ItaE
from Constantinople-
s.Au diseases develop rapidly in that climate
so DIR. ST Clair Smith,. my physician. tells me
DIR. Babcock was OF a buoyant, hopeful nature