Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-02-19
Passed Away at 5.35P.M.
Sunday at Lakewood, n. ].
Remains VIII Be Taken to New
York for the Funeral.


New York, Feb. 1S.-John A. Mccall.
until recently president of the New
York Life Insurance Co, died at 5.35
O'Clock this afternoon at the Laurel
House in Lakewood, n. j., where he
had been taken three weeks ago in
hope that the change might benefit his
health, which had suffered break
down two months ago -,
Mr.. Mccall had been Unconscious
since about l o'clock this morning, ex-
cept possibly for one brief minute this
afternoon when his eyes opened and
looked into the face of his wife who
was bending over him. He smiled and
as he did so his eyes closed again and
he remained in the coma until the end.
The attending physicians notified the
family at l o'clock this afternoon that
the end was close at hand. Mrs. Nc
CAN had been at the bedside constant
ly since last evening. All Of the seven
children were summoned.
1t was announced that Mr.. McCalTs
death was due to enlargement Of the
liver and the end had been peaceful and
without pain
Mrs. Mccall is now under medical
care. She had become worn out by tn.
long vigil at the bedside of her husband
ana when he died she practically COL
iapsed. although it is thought her con-
dition will not develop seriously.
the body will be brought to New
YORK tomorrow morning and will be
sent to the Mccall residence In West
'2d street. The funeral which will be
ON Wednesday will be at the Church
OIL the Blessed Sacrament
MI McCall's physical breakdown oc-
Cured about the close of the investi-
cation OF life insurance affairs in this
STATE by the legislative committee De-
celnber last. The report of the commit
tee is expected to be submitted to the
Legislature at Albany early this week.
Mr.. McCalIs examination before the
committee was severe one and the
ordeal he underwent in rehearsing in
detail the affairs of the company and
IN divulging transactions about which
the general public was ignorant. wor-
ried him greatly. it was said.
Mr.. Mccall was,ill in bed at his home
III this city when he affixed his sigma
turc TO his letter of resignation from
the presidency of the New York Life.
About three week ago his condition
became such that his physicians and
family deemed it advisable to remove
him to Lakewood. where it was hoped
the rest and quiet would mend the pa
tents shattered nerves and speed the
beneficial effects of the treatment Of
his physical disorders During ell of
this time Mr.. Mccall worried constant
~ about his business affairs He was
compelled first to mortgage and then
to sell his handsome country place at
Long Branch. n. J., i'll ORDER IL was
said. to repay to the New York Life
Insurance Co. s235,00O on the Andrew
Hamilton account, Mr. Hamilton, the
legislative agent Of the company, hav-
ing made no accounting from this
sum. Mr.. Mccall had promised, when
the Hamilton disclosures first were
rade, to repay the amount named IL
by a certain date a satisfactory state
ment was not forthcoming from Ham
ilton, who is now in Paris. The dlrec-
tors Of the New York Life at the expi-
ration of the time set called upon Mr..
Mccall for the payment Of the money.
He acceded to the demands. paying
sS5. 900 in cash and giving his notes for
$115.000. tha,latter being secured by a
mortgage on his country place which
later he sold subject to the mortgage.
Mr.. Mccall realized in all something
over 100000 for the property. which
was said TO have cost him just double
that amount.
Ten days ago Mr. Mccall suffered the
first sinking spell Of his illness ana was
very low for several days. Then he Inn
proved slightly. One week ago today,
however, he suffered second sinking
spell and grew much worse. His condi-
ton became SO low that life was de-
SPARED of. A priest Of the Roman
Catholic church, OF which faith Mr..
Mccall was an adherent. was sum-
moned and the last .sacraments of the
church were given to the stricken man.
When all hope had been lost Mr.. Nc
Call suddenly rallied. 1t was an effort
OF the mind and will. however. and not
physical Improvement. The attend
Continued on Page Ten.)