New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-28
ARDEN MYSTERY DEEP
HARRIUAN BETTER. SON
IN-LAU SAYS.
Belief That Physicians Are Gather
ing for Consultation Preparations
for Operation Reported

IBy Telegraph 10 The IrtOunel
Arden N Y. Aug. 27--E. Fl. Hartman spent
the day to-day the porch of his home at
Tower Hill, carefully guarded from intrusion
while rumOrs thicky pervaded the neighbor-
hood of preparations for imminent surgical
operation If the rumors reached Mr.. Harri-
man. if there was any good foundation for
them. neither circumstance worried him. He
sat wrapped in light Overcoat and shaded by
umbrella and consulted his wOrkmen. Late
I'm the afternoon ne busily engaged with one
of the masOns employed on the grounds. when a
reporter went to the house and C. F. Ford.
the superintendent of Tower Hill The reporter
was not allowed to talk 70 Mr. Hartman but
he could see that from all outward appearances
if Mr.. Hartman no better than when he
reached home last Tuesday. at best he could be
no worse. AS a further evidence of his lively
interest in current events. Robert L. Gerry. Mr.
Harrman's sOn-in-law, mOtored over TO Goshen
this afternoon to learn the results of the races.
in which Mr. Hartman had his horses entered.
Mr. Gerry talked for few minutes with the
newspaper men Just he starting on the
trip to Goshen
'Mr. Hartman is much better to-day" he
said. in answer to a query. He has been on
the veranda most of the day. and has been in
a very cheerful mood. He is greatly Interested
in the work at Tower Hill. and a great part OF
his time has been taken up in consulting with
the workmen."
Mr.. Gerry then denied two of the rumors that
have caused most of the sCurrying in the neigh
borhoOd of Arden
1T is understood" he was told. "that two
tanks of oxygen were taken To Tower Hill"
There is nothing in that story" Mr. Gerry
said There has been no oxygen received here
since Mr.. Hartman came
The other report was that an operating table
had been sent up from Turner. Mr.. Gerry
laughed at this story also
"NO such thing" he said. Neither oxygen
tanks nor an operating table has been received
SUGGESTIONS OF BULLETINS
Mr. Gerry said that he thought some means
should be taken to have regular bulletins OF Mr..
Harriman's condition reach the public He
added. however. that that was not a matter OF
which he had any control. Judge r. s. Lovett.
he said. Mr. Harriman's closest friend. was the
only with authority to speak.
Mr.. Ford. the Tower Hill superintendent
added his testimony to Mr.. Gerry's in refuta-
tion Of the rumors. He admitted that two tanks
had been taken to Tower Hill this morning.
But he said, they were tanks of ammonia
gas for the refrigerating plant. We send for
two tanks every week"
Well he was asked. show about the oper-
ating table,
That" he answered. 'was bed for one OF
the men in the camp
But il was neither Of the size. the shape nor
the construction of camp bed he told
zone of the men has child" Mr.. Ford said.
For confederation of his general denial Mr. Ford
pointed to Mr.. Hartman sitting on the porch
He has been there all day." Mr. Ford said.
consulting with the worknen about the affairs
of the estate He is talking TO one of the
masons."
The stories that Mr.. Hartman is III a criti-
cal condition not founded on fact in nv
opinion" added Mr.. Ford. He has a firm grip
when he shakes hands, and he appears brighter
He is in competent hands with DIR. I.yIe and
Judge LOvett. and while il is not my place 20
ask questions. I believe he is suffering from a
natural breakdown from OverwOrk and will
rally up here with plenty OF rest and good food.
and he about again as usual after while.
While Mr.. Ford talking to the reporter
Mr.. Gerry returned from Goshen with four
men in the automobile. soon after Mr..
Gerry's return the younger members OF Mr..
Harriman's family came out of the house WITH
tennis rackets in their hands and went over
TO the courts. laughing and chatting. for a game
of tennis
ON BILL OF LADING AS OXYGEN"
The theory OF the probability OF a surgical
operation is based on four points. The hrst is
Mr.. Harrimans trip abroad and his evident
weakened condition on his return home. COM
bined with the great secrecy that has been
maintained about his aiIment The second that
came up to-day the arrival OF the two
tanks supposed TO contain oxygen. The third
the coming of the supposed operating table
to-day. and the fourth. apparently confirming
the arrival of the oxygen and the table was the
news that Dr. George W. Grille. the we'll known
surgeon of Cleveland. was coming to the Harrf-
man home a special train from Breton
Woods. N II, notwithstanding the denial that
the two tanks contained oxygen. il is generally
believed that that is what they did hold. They
were recorded on the bill OF Iading as oxygen,
II reported before Mr.. Hartman returned
that the surgeons the other side wanted IN
operate on him, but he had insisted on coming
home first. IL reported also that the surgeons
the Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to perform, an
operation. Since Mr.. Hartman reached Tower
hill DR. Dittman has been sent for from New York;
To consult with Dr. Lyle and Dr. Grille Is now hers.
or ON his way here. Furthermore, no one can be
found here who knows anything OF a custom OF
having two tanks of ammonia gas sent 10
Tower Hill weekly. while in refrigerating plants
the ammonia is converted into gas on the SPOT.
and the ammonia is shipped in glass carbovs
and not in tanks.
The supposed operating table was seen in the
station at Turner by several persons. and all
were agreed as 10 what Il was There was con-
siderable anxiety at Tower Hill about the ar
rival of the table. as telephone messages inauir-
ing IL the table had arrived. were received ar
Turner several times in the course of the dav.
and when it came automobile took it up to
the house. The table a eOllapsble iron one.
having folding wheels with pneumatic tires
MRS. HARTMAN NEVER FAR AWAY.
Judge LOvett has been at the house since early