New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-01-25
PLA|NF|ELD MAN JUMPS
FROM BRIDGE TO DEATH
Startled u. S. Patrol Crew Pick
Up Body and Speed Ashore
for MediCaI Aid.
WIFE HURRIES TO THE CITY
Suicide Probably Result Of Worry
Over Money Matters, Con-
tents of Pockets
Indicate.

The sound OF voices raised as though
in argument. although at distance. at
tracted the attention of Captain |. p.
Grace and the crew of the United states
patrol boat Vigilant yesterday evening
as the government boat was ploughins
her way up the East River under the
Manhattan Bridge.
Captain Grace glanced up As he neared
the bridge. and the next moment was
startled To- see something hurting
through the air which made great
splash in the water. two hundred yards
from the Manhattan shore. In the gloom
II was difficult 20 determine whether the
object was a body Of a human being or
merely 4 sack Of some kind thrown from
the lofty bridge. rs soon as he could
the captain reversed his engines and
stood by 10 help if help was needed.
II was some minutes before the object
came 10 the surface. and one of the crew
tried to bring it alongside the boat with
boathook, but was unsuccessful. \
rope was finally cast about the bundle
and it was pulled to the forward deck.
/. was then seen that it was tine body Of
"A man. about thirty years old. dressed
in clothing of good quality.
Rushed for Medical Aid.
Not knowing whether the man was still
alive. Captain Grace gave orders to his
crew to try first aid methods to resus-
-, nj ftfl
speed for Pier -. at the foot Of Gouver-
ueur street. IN the Manhattan shore.
The mans body was then placed on the
pier and an ambulance from the Gouver-
neur Hospital was called. Dr. Cox, who
answered the call. said the man had died
before he struck the water, ard that
several bones in his body had been
broken 10y the force of his fan.
When this had been determined the
BODY was taken to the Delaney street
police station. where search was made
Of the clothing. There was no money in
the rockets. but several memoranda Of
loans from the Peoples Surety Company,
OF No. 76 William street. amounting in
all TO about $50, were found in one of
the pockets of the overcoat.
Probably Explain Mystery.
Blank bill heads. informing people
that their water rent was due. from ad-
dresses I'm New Jersey and Brooklyn. and
bearing the name Of the Blythebourne
Water Company. Of No. lS9 Montague
street Brooklyn. were found in an inside
vest pocket I'm the same pocket were
found several slips which probably ex-
plain the mystery of the mans death.
These were issued by a loan company.
and showed that Heaton had been bor-
rowing sums Of money at irregular in
tervals
The police Of the Delaney street sta
ion Immediately communicated with the
Heaton home at Plainheld. and learned
that the dead man had a wife and young
daughter AT that place. Mrs. Heaton.
without giving any explanation Of her
husbands act. at once took a train for
this city for the purpose of claiming the |
body
From other sources n was learned that
Heaion had been in Plainheld for eigh- |
teen months. and had formerly been en- |
Moved as an electrician bv the Public |
service corporation. Of New Jersey He
left their employ year ago. hut had |
70 live i'm Plainfeld on account |
NJ his wife's health.
Al No $50 West 9Th street. Plainheld |
, block removed from r. W Heatons |
home lives John r. Heaton. He said last |
oight that he did not know f.. ". Hea- |
on and that he was sure the dead man |
a as no relative Of his.