New-York tribune., 1907-03-27
j. NJ. VARNUM KILLED.
VTCTII OF AUTO SMASH.
In Machine Scith Wife U'hen Broad
sCay Car Rams Them DO1CH.

General James NJ. varnum. s.xty-twO years
old, ex-surrogate Of New York County and ex-
AssembIyman. of No. Sc East sd street. was
fatally injured last night when his automobile
was run into by northbOund Broadway car at
4Gth street He was hurried in the only slightly
damaged machine to the Roosevelt Hospital
where he died from a fracture of the skull
Mrs. Varnum and Miss Mary Frick. of Balti-
more. a relative. who is staying at the Varnum
home. we'll as the chauffeur OF the auto.
suffered greatly from shock and minor con-
tusions of the body. Following the fatality the
chauffeur. Alfred Quarle. of No. 229 East 69th
street and the motorman of the car, Michael
Gair Of No 456 West 35th street. were locked
up in the West 47th street station. charged
with homicide.
Leaving their home. in East sgd street
General varnum. his wife and Miss Frick, who
were seated in the limousine tonneau. ordered
the chauffeur to drive them to Broadway and
then TO the Amsterdam Theatre. The chauffeur
went to 43d street and turned north to Broad
way on the east side of the car tracks. The
progress was rather slow, owing TO the large
number OF vehicles. but after 45th street was
reached speed was put on.
Just before 4Gth street was reached Quarles
looked back to SOC if a car was approaching.
Not seeing the one behind he turned across the
track II was at this moment that Gair's car
came up and crashed into the automobile. Both
the motorman and the chauffeur reversed their
power. but the automobile struck the front Of
the platform of the car
General Varnum. who was sitting next 20 his
wife. was thrown with great force against the
forward part OF the tonneau. and Mrs. Varnum
and Miss Frick were also thrown forward. The
crash of the glass and the breaking of the wood
were heard for several blocks.
Miss Frick and Mrs. Varnun were only slight
ly hurt. but on turning to General VarnUm they
found him unconscious He was sitting up
right holding a strap Blood was flowing from
a wound in his head. In his own automobile
he was hurried to Bellevue Hospital. He was
placed on an operating table but as the sur
genos we're about TO make an examination Of his
injuries he died
In the corridor waiting for news we're Mrs.
Varnum and Miss Frick. The generals death
was told 10 them by the surgeons. and both be-
came hystericaL They were put in a cab and
driven to their home
James N. Varnum was one OF the best known
members OF the Bar Association of the City OF
New York. He had an office at No. 81 Wall
street. He was a director Of the Lawyers Title
Insurance and Trust Company OF New York. a
director OF the Fulton Trust Company and a
trustee Of the Real Estate Trust Company. Mr..
Varnum was vice-president of the Order OF the
Cincinnati in Rhode Island. governor of the
Society OF Colonial Wars in New York and a
chevalier OF the Legion Of Honor IN France.
General Varnum was born in New York City
June 2s 1S4S. the son of Joseph B. and susan NJ
(Graham) VaTnum. He graduated from
Yale in 1865. and from Columbia Law School in
1871. He was married here June IA. 1890. 70
Mary Witherspoon Dickey. He had been en-
gagged in law practice here since 1871.
General Varsum was a member OF the New
York Assembly. 1SI9-SO; senior aide-de-camp.
with rank OF colonel 70 Governor Cornell in 1850;
Republican candidate for Attorney General of
the state IN 1850. anti-Tammany candidate for
Judge OF the Superior Court, 1880; Paymaster
General OF the State of New York and brigadier
general Of the National Guard. State OF New
York in 1895: Surrogate OF New York County
in 1890 by appointment OF Governor Roosevelt
He was a Republican. and a member OF the
Protestant Episcopal Church. He was MEM
Der Of the Century. Union. University Down
town and Tuxedo clubs and the metropolitan
Club CWashingtOn).