The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-26
POSTMASTER Van COLT DEAD.
SUDDEN TERMINATION or HIS
ILLNESS OF MONDAY.
Passed An Night In the Federal building
and Was Taken Home to Die-Cause OF
Death Given rs Acute Indig estion-story
Of Demand for His Resignation Denied.


York, died suddenly at 1925 o'clock yester-
day afternoon at the residence OF his son,
Richard Van Colt, at 1903 West Eighty-sixth
street. For long time the Postmaster had
suffered from attacks OF acute indigestion
and weakness of the throat which brought
on occasional hemorrhages. After dinner
on Monday night Mr.. Van Colt returned
TO his Office on the second floor OF the Federal
Building to attend to some correspondence
The only person with him at the time was
his colored valet Taylor
Mr. Van Colt had been sitting at his
desk for only short time when he was
seized with an attack OF vomiting 1t
was stated unoficially that the retching
produced an unusually severe hemorrhage
Of the throat. That he had hemorrhage
Il officially denied. 1t was said at the
Federal Building, though, that large blood
spots we're on the carpet near his desk
1t is agreed that he had a sinking spell
following the vomiting and DR.. Far
nngton, physician at the Aston House
was summoned
DR.. Harrington said, as soon as he saw
the patient that he was too i'll to be moved
and so bedding was brought over from
the Aston House, and Mr.. Van Colt was
put to bed on a couch in his Office. His
son. Richard; his physician DR.. Waldo
Richardson, whose sister married Richard
Van Colt; and the Postmasters private
secretary. Thomas Gooderson, who used
to be battalion chief in the Fire Depart
ment were summoned.
Mr.. Van Colt passed fairly comfortable
night and about o'clock yesterday after
noon he was taken to his sons house, where
be had been living, although keeping vot-
Ing residence in the Fifth Assembly district.
Of which he was the Republican leader
and his son the deputy leader.
Soon after Mr.. Van Colt reached his home
he had another attack OF vomiting, and
Dr. George L. Peabody OF 81 West Thirty
eighth street. a specialist. was summoned
In consultation with DR.. Richardson. When
Dr. Peabody reached the house he found
the patients pulse and heart action 80
weak that he said at once that Mr.. Van
Colt could not live long. With the Post
master when he died were his son and
daughter.in-law, DR.. Richardson and
Taylor
When news OF the death reached the
Post Office yesterday, 1t was at first dis
believed. When it was verified Gooderson
and some OF the others In Mr.. Van Colts
Office broke down and cried bitterly. Good
erson exclaimed:
rThe newspapers have killed this man,
and suppose they are satisfied
As is provided in the postal regulations,
Edward NJ Morgan, the Assistant Post
master, who has been in the postal service
thirty years, became the Acting Postmaster
as soon as the news OF Mr.. Van Colts death
was confirmed. He notified the Postmaster
General at once and then notified the late
Postmaster's bondsmen, who are:
Charles F. Naetbing, the restaurant man;
Aqueduct Commissioner John P. Win
dolph; Frank Pittalli. the Italian banker
of l27 Mulberry street; Patrick Shelly, a
liquor dealer: John Reissnweber, the Re-
publican politician OF the Twent y-ninth
Assembly district, and Bernard j. Ludwig,
q retired real estate dealer. The bond is
for $500. 900 and the sureties qualified In
double that amount.
The regulations provide that on the
death of the Postmaster hts bondsmen
must meet as soon as possible thereafter
and designate a representative to be in
Joint charge Of the Post Office until post
master is appointed. 1t Is said that they
may designate Mr.. Morgan himself. Charles
H, Murray. president Of the county COM
mtee, has been spoken Of recently as the
coming postmaster
Cornelius Van Colt was born In New
York on Feb. ~, 1888, and lived In this city
all his life. Most OF the time he lived In
what Is now the Fifth Assembly district.
For many years he had a residence at the
Brevoort House. He learned the trade
Of a printer, but forsook II for that of
carriage maker. He showed an aptitude
for business affairs. and shortly after he
became Of age he was elected director
Of the Ftna Fire Insurance Company.
At 30 he was appointed an inspector OF GUS
toms by Collector Draper, and he was CON-
timed in office by Collector Barney.
From the day he went into the Custom
House until the day he died he was active
In the Republican politics OF this county.
He Was appointed Deputy Collector Of In
ternal Revenue by President Grant and
Fire Commissioner by Mayor Havemeyer.
While Fire Commissioner he was the first
one to agitate the question OF putting all
electric wires under ground. He also
established the first life saving corps in
the New York Fire Department and the
first school for training members OF that
corps
III 1901 ne was eleCteu Dldtt oeHutoI'
In April, 1889, on the recommendation Of
senator Platt he was appointed Postmaster
OF New York by President Harr ison. He
went out OF Office with the Harrison adj
mlnistration, but got back his old job after
the election Of Mckinley. He was holding
the Office when Mckinley was assassinated,
and on the assembling Of Congress for the
next session following President Rooee-
welt rearpointed him for the full term Of
four year,.
One of his first official acts was to do away
with the old Gust ON Of holding misdirected
letters thirty days before returning them
10 the senders. He required that such
letters be returned Immediately. He es-
tablished the use of machines for postmark-
Ing lett ers, and on Dec. II, 1888, issued an
order which made 1t possible to get money
orders al all sub-stations. In July, 1880,
he established half-hourly mail service to
Harlem between the hours Of Gas A. NJ. and
W NJ, In 1890 he established sub-stations
al he piers Of ocean steamship lines.
Mr. Van Colts health failed rapidly after
me recent investigation Of the post al scan
IL -,~I q H..