The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1907-03-14
LEON|DAS PRESTON
KILLED BY POISON
MUCH HYDRocyANIc ACID IN
RICH MANS STOMACH.
HAD BEEN ILL WITH GRIP
New York Millionaire, Who Died
While TeIephonins, May Have
Committed Suicide While
Temporarily insane.

New York, March 9.--An autopsy
held Friday by Coroner's Physician
O'Hanlon disclosed that Leonidas
Preston, "a millionaire. who died sud
denly Thursday at the Hotel Cumber-
land, had enough hydrocyanic poison
in his stomach to kill six men.
Coroner Hamburger Immediately re
ported the case to the police and de-
tectives were set to work upon sew
eral mysterious circumstances con-
nected with the case. Mr. Preston
was New York manager for the Tim
ken Railroad Bearing Axle company
and had an Office in West Forty-sixth
street. He died while telephoning to
some business acquaintance. The
hotel physician, who was called in
when Mr.. Preston succumbed, gave
the opinion that death had been caus-
ed by cerebral hemorrhage.
Had Been Sick With Grip.
Mr.. Preston's wife told the coroner
that he returned from business trip
to New Orleans two weeks ago suf-
fering from severe attack of grip,
complicated with bronchial troubles
Against the advice of his physician,
DIR. Millet, he insisted upon transact
ing business.
Because neither DR.. Millet nor DR.
English could definitely state the
cause OF death. Coroner Hamburger de-
termined to hold an autopsy. DR..
o'Hanlon observed as soon as he
reached the stomach unmistakable
traces Of powerful poison.
1t appears that when Mr.. Preston
died William r. Thinker, the head of
the concern of which Preston was
New York manager, Leonard Gray
and Edward R. Hewitt, were In the
hotel Office. They had sent up word
that they wished to see him. Preston
answered in person over the telephone
telling them to come right up"
When two minutes later they reach
ed his suite Preston was dead.
Representatives of law firm were
summoned to the hotel late in the
evening and taken to Mr.. Preston's
room. They remained there until ear
ly Friday, going over mass OF books
and papers.
Was Heir TO 100000.
Mr.. Preston came to New York
from Dallas, Texas. some years ago.
He was said to be the sole heir to a
fortune of $3,0o0,000 in New Orleans
and to have amassed another fortune
of 100000 in business. He was 46
years old, tall, muscular and very
strong
His friends have assured the cor
oner that his business affairs were in
good shape, and that there was no
possible motive for suicide other than
possible temporary insanity brought
on by Illness.
]. b. Cook, one of Preston's init
mate friends, received a telegram Fri
day from Mr.. Preston's brother in Dali
las, asking that the body be sent
there for burial
Mr.. and Mrs. Preston took quarters
at the Cumberland last September
They had no children but had adopt
ed a little boy.
DR.. English. house physician Of the
Cumberland, said that the millionaire
died in terrible commissions. when
/ reached the ROOM said the doctor,
Mr.. Preston was lying across the bed,
fully dressed, as though he had
thrown himself there. The convul-
sions gave me the idea that he had
suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. 1t
was too late for me 20 do anything.
His wife was historical for time
When she was able TO speak she said
that the only medicine he had taken
was a cough mixture"