New-York tribune., 1908-09-24
PLUNGES TO HIS DEATH
FALL KILLS DIR. HEGEMAN.
Probably Suffered Attack of Dlzza-
ness While Standing by Windo1o.

Dr. John A. Hegeman. member OF the lea
estate firm of Adrian G. Hegeman q Co. Vi W.
10 Broadway, and brother of the founder OF tue
Hegeman Drug Company fell from window in
his apartment on the fourth floor OF the Moli'i
cello, No. 400 to 4O6 West End avenue las'
evening into the courtyard. The thud OF tiie
body striking the concrete pavement was heaiu
by w G. Gichrist. the engineer OF the apart
ment house. who carried Dr. Hegenan to the
engine room.
When DR.. Richard J. E. Scott arrived he pro-
nounced DR.. Hegeman Dead and Coroner Acri-
telli after an investigation said that IT was MS
opinion that the fall had been due to an accl-
dent. An electric desk lamp was firmly held IN
Dr. Hegeman's hand. and in his apartment ln0
dangling ends of insulated wire were found
Dr. Hegeman arrived at the Monticello at
about 3 O'Clock yesterday afternoon his I"o
daughters, Lucy NJ. Hegaman. Twenty-Five years
old, and Aletta, twenty-three years old' were
away the former in Blairstown. n. j.. and the
latter at Hyannis, on Cape Cod. Iney iel' 'ie
city yesterday morning DR.. Hegeman was
widower Katie McDermott, maid. was In the
apartment when DR.. Hegeman arrived, ana ne
told her that he intended take a bath
1t is believed that he dressing near the
window of his bedroom, when, attacked by dlz-
ziness to which he was subject, he stumbled
against the SILL which is eighteen lnches hgh'
and grabbed at the electric desk lamp to save
himself. This broke the wires from their fast
enings and he plunged to the courtyard sepa-
rating the Monticello from an adjoining apart
ment house. He was clad only in a suit Oh
underwear and hose In the room were a pair
of shoes, one apparently thrown aside as ne
stumbled.
Coroner Acritelli examined the maid regard
ing her employers actions after he returped
home yesterday. She said that Immediately
upon his arrival he went to his room for short
rest, was his custom AT o'clock she
knocked at the door and told him that she was
going on an errand. He answered her cheer-
fully.
The engineer and the staff in the apartment
house told the coroner that DR.. Hegeman did not
at any time seem to be depressed Inc 1dct
that the fatal fall occurred while his daughters
were away was not regarded by the coroner as
especially significant
DR. Hegeman was graduate of princeton
and of the College of Physicians and Surgeons
He had practised medicine in Passa1c, \. j.
His wife died there three years ago, while Dr
Hegeman was in the real estate business at No
1921 Broadway. and soon afterward he came 70
this city with his daughters to live. He was a
member of the University, Union League anu
Princeton clubs.
In real estate circles DR.. Hegeman was Wldeiy
known He had for several years been asso-
ciated with his brother, Adrian G. Hegeman
who is in Europe He was short, stockily Duli'
man. and those who knew him well said tnat ne
complained often of fits of dizziness. but tha'
otherwise he seemed to be in good health NO
one of his friends believed that his fall was due
to anything except accident Messengers were
sent to his daughters last evening and to his
brother.
His sister, Mrs. Katherine Lillibridge' the only
other relative who survives lives at NO 4z5
West End avenue Mrs Lillibridge said tha'
there could be no cause for suicide. Her broth
er had no reason for anxiety she said. as his
affairs were in good condition in every way.