The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-09
SPENCER DEAD In HIS GARRETT
RICH ONCE AND WENT AROUND
THE WORLD on A YACHT.

Married by President Mcclellan at the CITY
Hall In 1894 70 o Niece or Mrs. Van
Brukh Hyingst6n-Died Of Gas Poison
ine--COrOner Thinks IL an Accident.
After having travelled all over the world
and enjoyed most Of the Injuries possible
for man Of means, Harvey Spencer, the
son OF merchant Of this city well known
in his time, was found dead yesterday
morning in a small, poorly furnished room
on the top floor OF a boarding house at
East Eighth street. The rubber tubing con-
Meeting gas jet with drop lamp was dis
jointed near the upper end and the stop cock
was open. Spencer was lying on the floor
near the bed, on which was lamp. book
and the remains OF cigar He was in his
night clothes Coroner Scholer supposes
that ne fell asleep while lying ON the bed
reading and that his arm struck the rubber
tubing, tearing it apart where it was
jointed.
Spencer was 45 years old His father,
Harvey, left him money, and early in life
he formed friendship with Joseph Moss
White, with whom he travelled all over the
world on Whites yacht, returning to this
country about twelve years ago. Then it
was said that he had made fortune in
business in Hong Kong White died in
Paris. and in his will he instructed that all
OF Spencer's debts, as well as his own,
should be paid OFT Of his estate. Spencer
had visited with White all tho countries
OF Europe ard 80 lavish were they in their
expenditures that their presence excited
comment wherever they went.
Spencer in 1894 married Miss Mary Liv-
ingston Strong, daughter Of Joseph M.
Strong OF New Paltz and a niece Of Mrs.
Van Brugh Livingston OF this city; Her
marriage to Spencer, 1t was reported at the
time, was opposed by Mr., Strong. but
she went with Spencer to the City Hall,
where the marriage ceremony was per-
formed by George B. Mcclellan, then Presi-
dent OF the Board OF Aldermen, now Mayor.
Spencer, after his Marriage made his
home part Of the time at the Waldorf and
part OF the time at Delmonico's. he lost
forta6ly OF when friend whose paper he
had Endorsed failed, and that practically
cleaned him out. With his wife he TOOK
a little room in the Eighth street board
ing house and turned his hand to inven-
ton. He got up machine to be used by he
ginners in learning to operate typewriter,
But 1t didn't take. His wife lived with
him in the boarding house until abou! a
year ago, and then she went to New PATTI
where she has lived since with their four
year-Old daughter
: Recently Spencer had been working
ON a patent catch for window blinds. In
the room Yesterday were many evidences
OF more prosperous days. On a wooden
table, which was bare save for an ink stained
blotte-, was a heavily embossed leather
frame containing photographs of British
noblemen and OF few of the crowned heads
OF Europe.
Above this in the most conspicuous spot
in the room was picture of Spencer himself
seated on the box OF an English coach driving
a four-in hand. On the table was leather
portfolio with the Spencer monogram
set in silver. Underneath the table was
the single wick oil stove on which Spencer
cooked his breakfast. On the wall hung
an assortment OF clothes OF pronounced
English style, of fine material and pro-
bounced shabbiness. Spencer said In the
house that he preferred time worn clothes
OF good quality to cheap new ones. His
favorite proverb was, Custom is second
nature" but it was mighty hard to get
accustomed" he used to say.
Spencer corresponded daily with his
wife, and a letter from her reached the
house in Eighth street only few minutes
after the body was discovered. Spencer
has a brother George, living at "a Irving
place, this city, who took charge OF tho
body. Another brother Edward, has a
home at Newport, r. l., but lives most Of
the time in England. The old Spencer
Ior1 IN a,l Ia nj ING Fast Eiphtnpnth street.