New-York tribune., 1907-11-13
NAY BE POISON VICTIM.
CAPITALIST FOUND DEAD.
AUTOPSY on Nathan Westheimer's s
Body Indicates Hydrocyanic 4cid.

Following an autopsy performed by DR.
O'Hanon, coroner's physician, the body IF
Nathan Westheimer. fifty-ive years old vice
president and director of the Nordlinger-C,harl-
ton Fireworks Company at Nos. 143 and 145
West Broadway who was found dead in his
home at No 100 West 77th street yesterday af-
:ernoon. Coroner Hamburger announced that
death might have been caused by hydrocyanic
acid. DR.. OHanlon removed the organs for
chemical analysis, and the police of the West
6Sth street station were instructed by the coro-
ner 10 make an investigation of the death.
IT is a very mysterious case the coroner
said The death of Mr.. Westheimer was re-
ported TO the coroner's Office as due 10 apoplexy
by DR.. c. D. Simmons, of No. 762 Madison ave-
nue.. DR.. OHanlon went TO the house late in
the afternoon and reported to me that the
death was suspicious, and then I ordered an
autopsy, which disclosed indications of hydro
cyanic acid. a most deadly poison.
According 10 Coroner Hamburger. Mr.. West
heirner, who was interested in several mines in
Nevada and California. had been out West for
two months. He returned, the coroner said.
few weeks ago, and had been in the best Of
health
From what the coroner learned Mr.. West
hener did not get up at his usual time yester-
day morning, and when the maid, Katie Hip
pold. knocked on the door he said that he
tired and did not want 10 be disturbed for an
hour two. Mrs Gussie Westheimer, wife OF
Mr. Westheimer, left the house. the coroner
said. few minutes later and went 10 the home
Of her mother, where she had luncheon. There
vas no one in the house then except the ser
wants
When Mrs. westheimer returned home. shortly
after 1 o'clock. she went the coroner said,
directly 70 her husbands room. He was lying
in bed. and was, she said. apparently sleeping.
She tried N arouse him. and, being unsuccessful.
felt of his hand and found IL cold.
After summontng Or. Simmons in haste she
called UP her brother, Louis Nordinger who
was in his Office, in West Broadway He IS a
member Of the firm of which Mr. Westheirer
vas a director DR.. simmons when he arrived
said that Mr. Westherner had been dead about
three hours. He sent word 10 the coroner's
Office. and reported the death as one from apo
plexy'
Coroner Hamburger ordered DR.. OHanlon 70
go 70 the house, and after reviewing the body
the coroners physician reported that he did not
believe Mr.. westheimer died from apoplexy
The coroner then went to the house himself
and interrogated Mrs westhen1er, Mr.. Nord-
coroner said that Mr.. Westhemer was alone IN
the room az the time Of his death.
The members Of the family said they did not
believe the man had committed suicide. for he
had no financial or other trouble, After the
autopsy DR.. OHanlon told the coroner he had
asked them about the deadly poison and that
they had told him they had never seen any Of It
in the house
When Dr. C'Hanlon was seen at his home
early this morning. he said
There were traces of hydrocyanic poison
found in Mr.. Westheimer's stomach. The stom-
ach was congested and had every trace of the
poison. Following the removal of the organs. ]
took them 10 n noted chemist and he held the
same opinion that did.
After the autopsy had talk with the dead
mans family. They told me that there was 10
reason for Mr.. Westheimer committing suicide.
They told me also that he was worth S1.Go0COO
and that he had retired from active business
about twenty years ago
DR. O'Hanlon also said that the police of the
West 6sth street station had taken many bot
tics of medicine and letters and papers
found in the room 10 the police station, and
that all will be taken to the coroners' office
this morning He also said that DR.. Eugene
IIodenpyIe, of Columbia University. would
make an analysis of the dead mans organs this
morning
Mr.. Westheirner a director Of the New
York and Honduras Mining Company. vice
president and director of the NOrdlinger-Charl-
ton Fireworks Company and director of the
Standard Consolidated Gold Mining Company.
Accompanied by Detectives Geery and Kenny,
Captain I.angan, of the West 6Sth street sta
ton. visited the residence in West 18th street.
In the room in which Mr.. Westheimer was
found dead the police found q dresser with it's
six drawers locked. The police looked through
the contents and found loaded revolver. This
was taken TO the police station with various
bottles and other articles.
At the residence no member Of the family
would be seen. and a servant who answered the
bell said that nothing would he said by any
in the family.