Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-15
DROPS DEAD IN THE SUBWAY
T. D. JORDAN OF NEW YORK
sUcCUMBS TO HEART DISEASE.
Formerly Controller Of the Equitable
Life Assurance Society-Figured
in Armstrong Inquiry.

NEW YORK, July 15.-Thomas D. Jor-
dan. formerly controller of the Equitable
Life Assurance Society. dropped dead OF
heart disease late yesterday afternoon In
the Wall street station of the subway.
His death was attended by tragic circum-
stances. Scores of persons saw him fall,
among them DR.. F. c. Wells. friend.
DIR. Wells hurried to the side of his
stricken friend. but saw Immediately that
Mr. Jordan was dead. Mr.. Jordan had
parted from his son. Frank B. Jordan,
only a moment before, and messenger
overlook the young man on the street and
informed him of his fathers death. The
son was overcome with grief.
Armstrong Investigation.
1t was In the course Of the Armstrong
committee insurance investigation that
Mr.. Jordan's name came prominently be-
fore the public. 1t was brought out then
that Controller Jordan had secured loans
aggregating S6S5.O0O for himself and
James w Alexander. former president of
the Equitable. from the Mercantile Trust
Company, and that these loans had been
covered up on the books of the company.
This $685. 600 came to be known as the
yellow dog" fund
A desire was expressed by the ARM
strong committee that Jordan appear be-
fore the committee and explain his f1nan-
cial management of the Equitable. but the
process servers were unable to locate
him. His son was called before the COM
mittee and asked to tell where his father
was. The young man said he did not
know, and when further questioned said
he did not know whether his father was
dead or alive.
Trial Set for Fall.
1t was after the Armstrong committee
To-, haI 20 hot
Jordan put in an appearance.
It was then learned that he had been In
Europe. AS result of the disclosures
made before the Armstrong committee,
the grand jury found eighteen indictments
for forgery and one for perjury against
Jordan. Only recently Mr.. Jordan ap-
peared before Justice Golf to plead not
guilty to the indictments. His trial was
set for the fall.
Since his indictment Mr.. Jordan had re-
manned before the public eye as little as
possible. While he was active in financial
circles his name seldom appeared in print.
He attended the meetings of directors Of
the companies in which he was interested,
but he kept IN the background.
Mr.. Jordan came to New York yester-
day from his home in Engiewood. N. j.. to
attend directors meeting of the Paseo
Improvement Company. of which he was
vice president, when he was stricken.
Appeared In Health.
Those who saw Mr.. Jordan die say that
he appeared to be in good health as he
walked down the subway stairs Mr.. Jor-
dan purchased his ticket. and had walked
about fifty feet from the ticket takers
box when he was seen to throw up his
hands and fall forward on his face
DR.. Wells saw Mr.. Jordan come into the
station. and was looking at him when he
fell. He ran to his assistance and lifted
his head from the ground. He knew as
soon as he touched the body that Mr.. Jor-
dan was dead. and It 10 his opinion that
death came instantly.
AS soon as Mr.. Jordans son had been
summoned the body was taken to a police
station. There it was viewed by Coro-
ner's Physician Weston, who said that
death was due to heart failure, and that
an autopsy was not necessary.
He gave permission for the removal of
the body, and Frank Jordan had the body
taken to Englewood.
Mr.. Jordan leaves widow. his son
Frank, and daughter, Mrs. Edward d.
OBrien. who married the son of Judge
Dennis OBrien.