New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-13

4RNrr&ST MATEEwa
y-ssss trtaI was stopped by his death yesterday.
utes before O'Clock yesterday morning. His
st,u was crushed against the stone pavement
~ the court separating the Florence from the
adjoining apartment house in 94th-st-
When the news of Mr.. Nathewss death spread
IN the city II was generally believed that he
had committed suicide. To many persons his
6aayh seemed 70 be confession of guilt. Later
Investigation led Coroner Brown TO declare his
belief that the fatal fall of Mr. Mathews was
accidental.
Friends and political associates of the dead
man were emphatic last evening in saving that
the theory Of suicide w5ss impossible IN view oil
-bn circumstances surrounding his death.
The effect of the death Of Mr. Mathews on
the candidacy of District Attorney Jerome Tor
reelection absorbed the attention Of politicians
OF the city last night Republican leaders who
were friends OF the dead man declared that he
had been bounded TO his death by Mr.. Jerome.
They said the prosecution of Mr. Mathews had
been pushed as political move to break down
onnositfon to Mr. Jerome in the Republican
County Convention, which is 10 meet Tonight
They asserted that Mr.. JerOmes course had
made his Endorsement by a Republican conven-
ton impossible. whether the death of Mr.
Mathews was to be regarded as q suicide or as
an accident
last night that II Mr. Mathews had lived they
would have opposed the Endorsement of Mr.. Je-
rome partly because Of Mr. Jeronle's refusal to
aid IN the nomination of a fusion city ticket.
They had been anxious TO prevent Mr. Mathews
being forced to trial before the Republican Coun-
" Convention was held they said, because there
was feeling that A1r- Jerome was using the
prosecution Of Mr.. Mathews as club against
the Republican organization
easH Fa5 sT7Fa n
the feeling to such extent that an indorse-
-nen- of Mr. Jerome would drive many thousands
Of Republican voters from the ticket.
Mr Mathews was a bachelor and occupied an
apartment with his aged and invalid aunt, Miss
Elizabeth Arnitage who came to this city from
Ireland TO 1--we with him after the death Of his
mother six years ago. Margaret Kane,
woman Of middle age. was their housekeeper.
The decision of Justice stover. in Brooklyn.
on Wednesday. denying an application for
change Of venue and removing the stay of trial
was blow TO Mr.. Mathews and 20 his counsel,
sfncs II forced the beginning OF the trial on the
day before the meeting of the Republican
County Convention, something the polit1s.Si as
socates OF Mr.. Mathews had strongly 1zslred
TO avoid.
Mr.. Mathews was nervous while he attended
% duties IN the headquarters the County
COMMITTEES at No. I Madison-ave- Wednesday
Rftsrnoou, but he did not seem TO be in low
spirits afraid of the outcome of the trial
SUFFERED FROM INSOMNIA
Early IN the evening Mr. Mathews dined with
Mr.. and Mrs William H Gray. and to Mr..
Gray, a political and business associate. he
talked confidently about his coming trial From
1Gr. Gray's house he went TO the Riverside Re
publican Club, In West 97th-st.. remaining there
1lutn after 10 o'clock, and then going home
His nervousness had increased during the even
ing, end he told some Of his friends at the cluo
that he would be obliged to take a sleeping
powder, as he had been suffering from in
sor.nta for weeks. It was known. in fact that
De- voSburg, his physician, had preScrIDeo pow
ders to enable him TO sleep.
RaIf al hour before Mr Mathews was killed.
q Epsc3ai delivery letter handed to him
BY the bousekeeper. He went to the door OF
fas room IN his bathrobe to get it, ana ne
sulled as he read IT. Later It was ascertalleu
that the letter was from friend bidding MIN
be confident Of acQuittal at his approaching
trial
Later Mr. Mathews must have carried q liloiH-
ing newspaper from his to the bathroom
as tie paper was found there. open at pIaoe
II which his coming trial was mentioned
Mr. Mathews had made no start to dress MIN
self for breakfast when ne entered the BATH
room, although he had appointment TO meet
his friend Congressman William s. Bennett ana
leave the house with him al $50 D. m
Dr.. Charles A. Manson, living in the apart
ment house next door, was IN his bathroom
and looked out into the court He saw the
window 0. Nj Mathews's bathroom go up and
kas Mr.. Mathews put his head out as If eager
10 get some fresh air.
DR.. Manson had turned away from his own
window a minute or so when he heard the |
Sound Of a body striking cn the pavement Of |
the court lie opened his window, looked down |
and Gaw BIr Mathews lying with livid. Upturned |
face Hastily putting on some clothing, DR. |
Manson ran down to the court. He found that |
Mr. Matthew's skull had been crushed in at the |
back of the head by striking the stone pavement.
4 plumber at wort In the basement @: tho |
houEo had r;,a OF: ipio the court on hearing |
f.,at,ured on eisl.il. pasn-