New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-27
'BIFF" ELLISON DEAD
Er-ConUict Dies Alone, from
Pneumonia.
HIs ASSAULT on MR.. HENRIQUEs.

! HIS ASSAULT ON Mr.. HENRIQUES.
/ Frank Ellison. better known in the Tender
Ioin and upper Broadway as "Biff'' Ellison
sport practical Joker and ex-eonvict. died yes
/ terday. from pneumonia. at his apartment. No.
I $50 West Thirty-fourth-st Ellison had been
I I'll for about two weeks and had been attended
by DIT Francis J. Murray. He was alone at
the time OF his death
Because OF the reticencs OF every one who
knew OF EIlison's death. a story OF foul play
was at first started. The police were informed
and Inspector Walsh personally went TO the
house 10 investigate The undertaker's as
sistant at the door refused 10 give any inforna-
ton. and said that he was strictly enjoined to
keep silent Dr. Murray was next seen and
said that the death was due 20 pneumonia but
that he knew nothing OF the dead man OF his
relatives. Il was learned at the Board OF
Health that the doctor had sent certificate to
that effect.
Samuel A Walsh. OF No. 81 West Thirty
ninth-st is q brother-in-law OF Ellison and has
charge OF the funeral Walsh was seen- and
also refused to give any information The tn
spector stationed a special officer at the door
to remain till the mystery OF the case was
entirely cleared up.
..Bin-' Ellison was born in Philadelphia IN
1850 Of a prominent old Quaker family OF con-
siderable wealth. His father died when he was
young leaving a large fortune to him He at
once decided to come TO New-YOrlK to spend 1t
In this city he Joined several exclusive clubs.
and started on a sporting career that soon
made him popular with the wealthy young
bloods about town. He allowed his love for
practical joking to carry him TO excuses that
finally gave him a reputation for brutality. and
he figured several times IN police courts charged
with assault He convicted for feloniously
aSsaulting w. II. Henrtques q broker. IN 1885,
and he was sentenced to a term OF hve years N
Sing Sing Prison. So, -.
physical prowess. AS boy he was feared by
all his associates. whose rights he seemed 20
War he found vent for his OVERLOOKING spirits
bv Joining the 9TH Regiment OF this city ana
saw service
one OF his most boasted exploits after the
war was the shampOOing OF a prominent mem
Der OF the Manhattan Club with a Welsh RAD
bit Recorder Smyth imposed a 800 nne Tor
a particuIarly brutal assault committed by Eli
son When Ellison retired from the courtroom
he displayed a loaded pistol and declared that
he had intended to shoot the Recorder II ne mad
given him term IN prison
firing OF this sort OF life. he went into Wall
Street and there met Henriques- Although
Ellison had by this time been expelled from
most OF the clubs OF which he had been a mem
Der. a strong friendship seemed TO spring up
between him and Henrtques- lncldentallys ne
met Henriches's daughter. Mrs Douglas J.
Neane shortly after this. Mrs Neame Sc
cured a divorce from her husband. and EllisOns
attentions became more manifest than ever
These attentions TO his daughter became dis
tasteful 10 Henriques. and he entered com
plant in court. AS a result. Ellison was or
dered 20 keep away from the Henrtqueses- he
became greatly enraged. and brought suit for
$4,000 against Henrtques for defamation or
character Shortly after this suit was brought
occurred the assault for which Ellison served
his term in prison. Meeting his former friend
in the street he began TO quarrel with him ana
suddenly knocked him down. jumping with
both feet on his face and tabbing him with his
cane Mrs. Neame was the chief prosecutor at
the trial
Since his release Ellison had lived I'm the
TerderIoin much reduced IN fortune