New-York tribune., 1907-01-25

West 122d street. The cook OF a gas stove In the
room was open, having heen freed from rubber
tube. and gas filled the room Death was due 70
gas poisoning. At first It was said that the colonel
had committed suicide bat this was Indignantly
denied by his friends. The police would say moth
ing, but the facts became known IL seemed likely
that the suicide theory would not be supported
The rubber tube connecting the cock and the gas
stove was off the cock, but It was said that this
had happened before in accidental manner
Colonel Blake, who a widoweT had been In
good health and except for the recent death OF the
husband Of Mis- Catherine Cuaaeagham. with
whom he boarded. there had been nothing TO de-
press him He had been expecting to make a trip
to Nevada in the spring. to join j. Herbert Welch
an old friend One Of his Is a student at
Phillips AndOver Academy, while the other Is In
Las Vegas, New Mexico, recovering from a break
down due 20 ovsrwork at the Massachusetts, In
stituts Of Technology. Rumors OF financial
troubles were said yesterday by the oolOners
friends to be without foundation. He had been
living moderately since his from South
Africa. and the income from his ma gazne articles
the Boer and Indian wars had been more than
sufficient for his expenses. They added that no
dependent him. as his sons had In
comes OF their own.
Coroner Shrady Is expected to conduct an IN
quest to-day. The circumstances OF Colonel Blake's
death were such to Justify the first
report OF suicide and the police were called IN.
He was fully dressed. and wore an overcoat II
IS believed that he kicked the tube from the cock
accidentally. and sitting down 20 rest. was over
come by the gas.
Major Rudolph Fitzpatrick. OF No sO4 West seth
street was q close friend OF Colonel Blake. and was
certain yesterday that the case was not one OF
suicide. , ~, - -, a., MI,
souri, went Texas in his sixth year. and
was appointed rom that state 70 West Point Point IN IN
80. OF which Oberlin r. Carter was the head he
Cavalry and served in that command until August.
1859. when he resigned. Al the academy ne was
complainant stood him in good stead In his sub
ssQeent career In the West ana C,H IN sSpT c m the
Indian campaigns under Generals Miles and custer.
he was RI'T in 60 Command Of Indian Scouts at Fort
Bowie, Indian Territory. Ho gained especial fame
this exploit regarded Lieutenant Blake at that
period as his only real fEieng among the white s5'
Howard. How % '''7'''' ''''0
Upon giving up his commission in the army Lieu
tenant Blake started on his travels, making tour
around the world and bringing up in Africa; where
bSrs bS mace 10 the @ zambes and Beyond md
o 91 sfatae he iS to Looa
magazine article giving his views or the sub
late Cecil Rhodes to remark: His article cost US
The breaking out of the Boer War offered him an
Irresistible opportunity TO employ MS ml4SaLS s4
Perlence and he offered his services 70 ireslaent m
which many Americans were enlisted. He was on
Wet Botha, Jo1bert ana croRjo and enjoyed their
confidence He and his seTeG I d Ttn Sb s GS
sequent campaign. and gained especial credit at the
Several members OF the Irish Brigade wsro capt
ured and sent TO Ceylon. Colonel Blake was
wounded In ono engagement, his arm being shat-
tered, but he was able 70 mount q
horse he rode retou his troopers. When the
Boer forces dsbanded after the battle OF
johannesburg many of the Uitlander soldiers were
sent for safety into Portuguese territory. AS they
departed Blake Is reported to have thrown his big
sombrero into the air. shouting: -,s
'aurrahl Now every man for himself The real
spoke was over Colonel Blake returned to America,
and has written largely for newspapers and other
periodicals. Some entertaining articles Of his de-
scrtptIon OF his adventures In Zululand and his
trip to the Zambeai were published in The Tribunes
Sunday Magazine.
Colonel Blake was engaged IN The Boer War
show at Brighton Beach year ago last summer
and at the St Louis Exposition two years ago.
with a number Of others who had come from South
Africa.