Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-11-27
SUICIDE IN CELL
ENDS CAREER OF
ROBI. CUMMINGS
Former Resident OF Orange Had
Unhappy Life-Disgrace
of Arrest Fatal.


cumstances following life OF hard
ship and trouble that finally UNDER
mined man OF great physical strength
and attainments, that had permitted
him at one time to amass a fortune.
ended the pathetic tragedy of Robert
Cummings existence in the Mercer
street police station, Manhattan, yes
terday afternoon.
For several years resident Of the
Oranges, where he held positions In
various capacities, Cummings was wen
known to many residents. The news
of his death arriving at the Orange po-
lice station late last night resulted IL
the dispatch of Policeman Giordano to
13 William street. around the corner.
where William Otto. painter, and
friend Of the suicide, lives, and to
Sergeant Daniel Leary. Otto told a
story which was sent to the New York
authorities.
Otto. who is employed by W. H. Can
field, of East Orange, was seen today
at work In High street. Orange, on a
residence, and spoke of his friendship
for Cummings. who was an interesting
character. The statement of Mrs. La
--osa, landlady at So West Tenth
street, New York, with whom Cum
mings boarded. that Otto had paid the
room rent of Cummings, who is man
90 years OF age, was admitted, as Otto
had shared his resources with his erst-
while friend, whom he had met while
Cummings boarded in Orange
Otto denied the statement, attributed
by the New York police to Mrs. La
Rosa. that he was engaged TO marry
Miss Florence cummings,s daughter of
the old man. and said the suicide had
no daughters, SO far as he kr ", but
left widow and two sons. One of the
latter lives in Philadelphia and an
other in the West.
Once Lived in Orange.
According to Otto, Cummings, who
lived for several years in the Oranges,
at one time boarding In South street
and later in Canfield street, that city,
was originally wealthy resident of
Brooklyn. He had an express business
In the City of Churches, and was at one
time possessed of fortune of $4,000.
Differences with his wife caused the
husband and father to drift away and
| finally he lost his t'isiness and his
! family. and lived apart. He became
reduced to the ordinary iabors of
coachman. and later butchers assist
ant. He drifted to the Oranges and
was employed as coachman by various
| families in West Orange, and later
worked in butcher store in Hickory
street, Orange. His wife. according to
Otto. eyidentl.- never lost her affection
for her spouse. and frequently wrote
him letters of love.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cummings never made
up their differences. She now lives in
Brooklyn and undoubtedly has learned
of the death of her husband in a po-
lice cell. Otto got letter from Mrs.
LaRosa this morning Informing him of
the suicide and the removal of the body
to morgue He had. however. got the
police information last night.
According to Otto, Cummings was a
man OF great physical strength, and
quarter Of a century ago was we'll
known as a boxer and met in the ring
many of the better known fighters OF
his day. He was a pleasing companion
and his friendships. while few. were
lasting. In addition to Otto's assist
| ance, a son sent the father money by
mail at regular intervals. His suicide
was evidently due to the disgrace fol-
lowing his arrest yesterday.
Caught shopiifting.
A detective in Broadway depart
ment store said he saw Cummings take
| a bronze clock and two hatpins from
counter yesterday Afternoon When
arrested Cumniings's face went white
and he trembled SO violently that the
/ -. - I, Il c
taken to the Mercer street station, and
after giving his name and address was
| led to cell by Doorman Gleason.
! Gleason said later that the old man
appeared to be crushed by the disgrace
of arrest. An extra portion was served
| to the prisoner at dinner in the hopes
! that the warm food would cheer him
up, his grief having touched the heari
| of the attendants.
Gleason was called at p. IN. to the
desk to take charge of new arrival
Conducting the latter through the cor
ridor of cells. Gleason caught sight in
| the dim light of Cummings face
pressed against the door of his cell
The old mans countenance was white
and Gleason called out:
Cheer up. Bob. everything will turn
out all right. What's the matter?"
There was no response. so when Glea-
son had disposed of his prisoner he re-
turned to Cummings's cell. He jumped
back when within arms length. The
old man was hanging by his belt, which
he had fastened to the top of his cell
door and. forming moose with the
free end, strangled himself.
|