New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-10-10
CORONER In Draw l..
ALMOST CONES TO BLOWS
Hamburger Says Stokes Had Hand
an Suicide of ar adams.

A brawI between Coroner hamburger and w.
z. d Stokes in Coroner Harburger's office yes
terday morning shocked several persons who
heard il and caused the comment that 1t was a
good argument for the abolition Of the Office OF
coroner in New York County. The epithets
which the two men hurled at each other sounded
out Of place outside of a Bowery saloon.
Coroner Hamburger became so furious that he
rushed TO the room in which jury was ready
for the inquest in the case of "AI" Adams and
declared a belief that Adams had been muir
dered at the Ansonia. promising to produce the
murderer before the jury. He took IL all back
at the end OF the inquest. apologized to Mr.
Stokes and shook hands with him. ending a
scene which was at once a comedy and
scandal.
The trouble started in Coroner Harburger's
Office when Mr.. Stokes took the little official to
task for not calling a witness in the Adams
inquest a bellboy Of the Ansonia
I'm running this Office" said the coroner.
This is the most important office in the
county"
eft should be cared for by an American bred
official. not by foreign born pup" sneered MI.
Stokes.
Then they kept at 1t. hammer and tongs, the
coroner CRYING out that Mr.. Stokes was crook
and had wanted him 20 hush up murder
and Mr. Stokes hinging back accusations that
the coroner was a "shyster," liar and
dirty dog"
81 think YOU had hand in the suicide OF
Adan,s," shrieked the coroner I'll put you on
the stand and prove it, and I'll put you under
lock and key in spite Of your millions
.You dirty cur! I'm ashamed or you! salo
Mr. Stokes. reaching into his hip pocket for
handkerchief 10 wipe his steaming forehead'
81 think you drew a pistol!' yelled coroner
hamburger. I'm put you under lock and key.
II T vould lose my temper I'd spit in your face
Witnesses OF the brawl got between the two
mon and separated them when they seemeu
ready 10 come to blows. Mr. Stokes went TO
telanbone and called ex-Judge W. NJ. K. Oicott,
his counsel telling him OF the threats OF coroner
Hamburger Mr. Olcott, however, did not reach
the scene of the Adams inquest until coroner
Hamburger had said in his address to the jury;
I believe. and expect 10 show you. that Albert
J. Adams was murdered ana thal lhe HuIueI eI
is an important witness IN TINS case WIN VIII
appear before you
.. Relatives OF the former policy king" and a
| orov,d o4 onlookers were present when the
| Adarns inquest began. The witnesses told Of the
| discovery OF Adamss dead body in his room at
| the Ansonia and their testimony made 1t plain
that Adams had blown out his own brains.
There was suppressed excitement when Mr..
Stokes was called as witness
Mr. Stokes testified about HIS conversation
| over the telephone with Coroner Hamburger
after the discovery OF the suicide. admitting thai
| he had wanted 10 keep the death OF Adams from
| the public for a time until the relatives OF the
6ea6 man could be reached. He said also thai
| he had wanted 10 save the family from noto
rie,v. II possible adding that Adams had tried
| 70 live down his past He said he had been In
| ta-ested in business transactions with Adams
| all OF which had turned out we'll He had de-
| ci,ned TO accept from Adams as presents. h
| said a pin with large ruby set in it and &
diamond ring. He had promised Adams not IL
make him leave the Ansonia, Notwithstanding
| ,ewsnaner attacks on him. long Adam.
| kent away from policy gambling
| Re,ly1ng TO Coroner Hamburger Mr.. Stoke,
| eta Of deals in Pennsylvania stock and rea