Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-08-05
TO EXHUME BODY
Of VAN SCHA|CK IN
DEATH MYSTERY
Disinterment Will Be First Step
Toward Clearing Up Puz-
zling Case.
ORGANS TO BE EXAMINED
FOR TRACES OF POISON
Coroner Has Affidavit Stating
Retired Broker Died of
Choral Poisoning.

AS first step in the investigation
of the mysterious death of Singleton
Van Schaick, wealthy retired broker
and sportsman, 1t is expected that
his body, now lying in st. Stephens
Cemetery, Millburn, will be exhumed.
Coroner w. H. Livington, of West
chester county, New York, where the
Van Schaicks made their home after
leaving South Orange, intimated to-
day that he would apply to the Su-
preme Court for an order for the ex-
humation of the body to permit of an
examination of the vital organs for
traces of poisn.
Van Schaick was taken Ill after
drinking a glass whiskey and some
supposedly Harmless ingredient on the
afternoon Of July g. while a gay
house party was being entertained in
his home, Near Stongue, Pelham.
N. Y.
Similar Attack Two Days Later.
Two days later, when 1t was thought
he was recovering, he was seized with
q similar attack after he had taken
a glass of some stimulant. He died
in extreme delirium.
DIR. E. S. Newell. the attending ply
sician, described the disease on the
death certificate as "cerebro-spinal
meningitis" which he explained today
was really delirium tremens.
The body of Van Schaick was
brought to the Campbell House, South
Orange. Funeral services were held
on July Is in the Church of the Holy
Communion. The Rev. George A.
Hanna, of Millburn, officiated.
Meanwhile none of the guests of
the merry house party, among whom
had been Miss Mabel Rockefeller,
Mrs. James r. Crowell and Francis
j. Tietsort. imagined there was any
thing peculiar in the death of Van
Schaick.
An affidavit was laid before Coroner
Livingston yesterday afternoon by an
informant. who asserted that to the
best OF his information and belief
Van Schaick had died of choral poi
soning contained in a stimulant.
Coroner Works on Case All Night.
The coroner worked all night on
the case and today he said:
''I will hold a regular inquest. Un-
less something arises to allay all sus-
picion the body will be exhumed."
Van Schaick and his beautiful wife
were for several years the acknowl-
edged society leaders Of the million
aire colony in South Orange.
Eight years ago Van Schaicks first
wife died and year later he married
Miss Fannie Campbell, of South Or
ange. During their stay in South Or
ange they made their residence at one
time at 1 Vose avenue, at another in
q palatial home in Ridgewood road
and finally in the Campbell House.
Van Schaick is survived by his wife
and two daughters, Miss Violet Van
Schaick, Is years old. and Caster Van
Schaick, child by his second wife.
Van Schaick was member of the
New York Stock Exchange before his
retirement He was one of the best
known cross-country riders of the
East and secretary and governor of
the Irish Terrier Club of America He
was connected with varioos hunt and
kennel clubs and was a noted expert
on dogs.
Regarding the drink which caused
Van Schaick to fall into the state
resembling coma, DR.. Newell said to-
day that he had been treating the
man whose death is now being probed
for several months and had prescribed
a solution containing chloraL bromide
Of soda and digitalis. This could
easily be administered in such a way
as to constitute deadly poison
Among those who attended Van
Schafck in his last moments were his |
wife and Joseph Ecclesine, described /,
as Mrs. Van Schaick's social secre- |
tary.
Although Van Schaick's body was |
brought 10 South Orange for the |
funeral services and burial, the only |
relative now living there is Mrs John
J. BOYD, of As Rynda road, sister of |
Mrs, Van Scbafck,
Mrs. Boyd lis the wife Of an emil
pent engineer who is connected with /
the Hudson Engineering Company, of |
New York. and who has charge OF the |
South Orange municipal water works. |
At the Boyd home It was said today |
that Mrs, Boyd was Ill and in bed.
but it was asserted that the family |
secuted the story that there had been |
anything peculiar in the death Of Van
Schafck