New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-12
Mrs. GaynOr Frustrated When
Message Is Received Telling
of Husbands Death.
FRIENDS QUICKLY GATHER
Several Tell of Mayors Recent
III Health and Say His
Sudden End Was Not
a Surprise.


received the message and telephoned to
Robert Adamson. his fathers secretary.
who confirmed the report Mrs. Gaynor
was then told what had occurred. She
was Frustrated at the news, but refused
to have a physician.
With Mrs. Gaynor and Norman at the
time were the three daughters, Helen
Marion and Ruth. Shortly sfterward the
two married daughters, Mrs. Seward
Webb and Mrs. Harry Vinsut, accom-
panied by their husbands, arrived at ST.
James.
Noman Gaynor got word later in the
day regarding the plans for bringing the
body home. but said no definite arrange
ments would be made for the funeral
until the family had conferred with Mr.
AdamsOn and learned what the official
requirements would be lie said the body
probably would be taken to Brooklyn in
stead of Deepwells. the summer home,
and that the burial would be in Green
wood.
Though he had been in ill health for
weeks Mayor Gaynors family had not
been greatly worried over his condition.
He was tired and had had bad cold.
but this was not unusual, and 1t was
believed the trip abroad would soon re-
store his health
Norman Gaynor said his father did not
want 10 run for the mayoralty again, but
that the insistence of friends as the close
of his administration drew near induced
him to enter the field His cherished plan
to make a years trip around the world
was given up and he plunged into the
campaign tight.
Among the first to arrive at the Gay
nor home yesterday morning were Ed
ward NJ. GrOut. former Borough Presl-
dent Of Brooklyn; Charles II. Hyde. for
mer city Chamberlain. and Sergeant Nc
Kettrick, of the City Hall special police.
Mr.. Grout had heard the news Of the
Mayors dealt when he reached the
Grand Central Terminal from his home
in Westchester. At his Office. at No III
Broadway. he found d telegram from
Secretary Adamson. and he at once
started for ST. James. on the train he
met Mr Hyde.
Nj Hyde said Yesterday he was not
greatly surprised at the Mayors death.
lie declared Mr. Gaynor had been In bad
health for some time. and that following
a dinner which they had together week
ago Tuesday the Mayor had been seized
with an attack Of vertigo so violent that
he had been compelled TO lie down for
an hour or so.
Ever since the shooting" Mr. Hyde
said. Mayor Gaynor had felt a numbness
in his right lung and had had fearful at
tacks Of coughing. have no doubt that
his heart was seriously affected by these
coughing spells. IT6~was a most lovable
nan. and one Of his chief characteristics
was his unfailins reucence regarding his
personal troubles and ills. even 10 close
friends"
Mr. Grout expressed his deep sorrow
over the Mayors death. but said the event
by no means had been unexpected. He
said three weeks ago he had an appoint
ment with Mr.. Gaynor for dinner at the
Montauk Club. in Brooklyn. The Mayor
was a half hour late. and when he arrived
he looked in and weak and explained that
he had been detained b. coughing
spell.
Another friend To whom the news came
as a confirmation Of his fears was Judge
William Watson. who had been on init
mate terms with the Gaynors since the
days when the Mayor was reporter on
The Brooklyn Eagle"
Three weeks ago. he said, the Mayor
came TO see him. but was so weak from
coughing spell which had seized him on
the road that he had 10 be helped from
his car 10 the house As he entered he
could only nod his head by way Of greet
:rg. but after a half hours rest on a
couch recovered himself sufficiently 10
tell about his experience.
''Tve Just had another of those terrible
attacks" ne said. 1T is fortunate that
they don't come oftener. ! don't believe
that I could stand many more. The pain
is intense II feels like a big hook tear
ing in my throat"
The Mayor also said that day Judge
Watson recalled. that he intended TO take
a trip around the world after the hsnt
is over" indicating that he was doubtful
Of reelection.
Even those who have been closely asso-
ciated with Mayor Gaynor in his ofhciai
life will not miss him more than inc u
James villagers While there he rarely
rode. but made his trips around the
reighoorhood afoot. speaking to every one
and paying particular attention 10 'he
children.
Chief among his "cronies' al 81 Jaine'
were BILLY" Monahan, the olachsil'" .
Rudolph WISE the barber; a. II. hhdpp'
plumber, and johnny Ahearn' pFopHe-
tor Of the village hotel
The Mayors love for the Long lsl"nu
village was plainly shown by his puI-
chase, week before he sailed, Of sixteen
acres adjoining his summer home Inc
purchase included a house and its turnish-
ings, the property Of the late Father
Ducey. lie had intended to use this house
as place in which 70 spend his week
ends during the winter and save the
bother 10 Albert Wells. the village sta
ton agent. at whose home ne had for
merly been an almost weekly winter
guest.
Wells was greatly effected yesterday by
the news OF Mayor Gaynor's death.
He was a simple and great man. and a
good man." Wells said.