New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-08
HOLT A SUICIDE
IS VERDICT: SHOT,
KEEPER INSISTS
Further Investigation IS
Unnecessary, Says At
torney Smith.
CHARGE MANAGES
DEATH TO NEGLECT
Officials Think Guard Slept on
Duty-Will Send Body to
Wife in Dallas.

There is still doubt as TO how Frank
Holt met his death. The reports given
out yesterday by officials of Nassau
County are positive in their assertion
that the war-crazed, would-be assassin
of J. P. Morgan committed suicide by
climbing up the iron grill in front of
MS cell and plunging head first TO the
concrete walk outside the cell block.
On the other hand, jeremiah Organ,
the temporary keeper who was Hollis
guard on the night of his death, insists
that the dead man was shot and died
inside mis- own cell.
Lewis J. Smith, District Attorney of
Nassau County, said yesterday that he
was satisfied that Holt dived to his
death from the high iron fence sep
aratng the cell block from the walls
of the prison. He admitted that when
called up Tuesday night by Warden
Hulse and told that the prisoner was
dead, he thought that he had been
shot, but added that his investigation
showed this to be false.
Asked whether he would make any
further investigation concerning the
demented mans death, Mr.. Smith said.
Will Not Investigate.
What is the use? Holt is dead, and
was allowed to kill himself by apparent
carelessness. Orders were given that
Holt should not be left alone one min
ute. or any fraction Of minute. Then,
in spite Of this, the guard Organ says
he walked away to see about shutting
of noise. Why investigate, when the
facts are plain as the sun shining out
there"
William Hulse, warden of the Nassau
County Jail, also said Holt killed him
self by dropping from the iron fence.
The warden said he had personally di-
rected Organ TO keep his eyes upon
the prisoner all the time he was on
duty, and that, if Organ disobeyeG, it
was sheer carelessness which allowed
Holt 70 die.
Both the District Attorney and the
warden believe that the guards story
Of leaving his post to trace and quiet
a noise somewhere along the cell tier
is simply an attempt TO "alibP himself
They accuse Organ Of having fallen
asleep while on duty.
How Holt Killed Himself
Holt was confined in the south wing
Of the Jail, in lower tier cell In
front Of the tier is seven-foOt-widc
cement walk. bordered hv a high iron
lattice. Upon the otner side of this
fence IL a narrower passageway. run
ming along the wall of the prison.
The accepted account of the prisoners
death says that while Organ was
either asleep or away from his post
Holt slipped from his unlocked cell,
ran eleven feet TO the end Of the walk.
opened another door. also left I'M
opened, crept back along the threc-foot
passage on the other side of the grill
some forty feet and then climbed 20
its top and cast himself 10 the door
below, shattering his skull.
Holt came to his death by a COM
pound fracture of the skull and cere-
bral hemorrhage, caused by fall"
was the announcement from Coroner
Walter K. Jones, yesterday morning
after the prison physician, DR.. Guy +
Cleghorn, had made his autopsy
The coroner said later that ne would
hold a formal inquest to-day, but that
it would not be 10 inquire into the
cause OF his death, but merely as a
matter OF record.
In spite Of the unanimity OF official
statements concerning the manner Of
Hollis death. Jeremiah Organ, the
keeper, still insists his charge was
shot.
Organ is not regular keeper At me
jail. He is court officer, who was an
pointed temporarily by Sheriff stephen
Petit several days ago. Il is no,
known why Warden Hulse selected
him, since he is sixty-fve years old. to
watch a dangerous MANIAC. Holt w.