The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-07
ST. PAUL'S SEXTON
SUICIDE IN BELFRY
Philip Walter, Thirty-One
Years With Chapel, Hangs
Himself.
STOOD ON THE BELLOWS

rhillp q. Waiter, who had been sexton
NJ old st. Paul's for thirty-ons years.
hanged himself from the belfry stains.
where his body was found yesterday
morning by his assistant. Paul Schaef-
,cr. No one knows why he did Il. not
even Paul. his friend OF many years.
II was chill and forbidding under the
walls Of the old chapel when Pau has.
tened through the tomb lined walks TO
the door under the belfry. lie was
anxious 10 get inside to the well lighted
loom Of the sexton. He unlatched the
door and stepped into the dim In
terror. where ungainly shadows lay over
the empty pew..
II was all familiar to Paul. lie cast
hardly a glance into the glooming quiet
" the church and then pulled at the
cord tina, throws the electric switch
IN the loft above. It stuck. THE things
broken again. he growled. and reluc-
family began to climb the stairs to the
bleak room above. Not a cheerful place
at any time II this loft. a place or
bricks and hanging bell ropes n ram
,hackle stairs leading to the belfry.
Impatient to get his task over with Paul
jcrked open the oor. He took two
steps In and stopped. for in ron of him
hanging In the light from the one stained
window swung the figure OF his friend
the sexton.
Ftees Into Graveyard.
rali turned and ciattered down the
steps and out into the grave hlled yard.
In a moment he was banging at the door
Of the parish house and awakened the
Rev. George Il. Cox. curate, n George
Little, one OF the building superintend-
en,s. While they dressed he paced up
and down before the church. glancing at
the window above and not daring to
face that room alone.
After a glance Mr.. Cox sent for the
~I-lice, and hen went INTO the sections
room. where on a desk they found ar
envelope. containing "A key. addressed &c
the vicar. the Rev. Dr. Montague Geer
and a note TO Paul. 1t read
"Iaul. go UP TO Jacques room anc
toll Mr.. COX to telephone to Thomas p
Brown"
Mr.. Jacques is the church organist ant
u get to his room one has TO pas!
through the loft where Walters bodi
hung. Word was sent to Brown. seNtoi
II 81. Agnes's Church in N~inety-firs
street. and one Of Walters Oldest friends
When he arrived they all went up ant
with the aid OF policemen o down tn
body. Then they saw how Walter ha'
killed himself.
bellows. and after getting on n piano
stool had tied a sash cord to the stair
above him. Then he had kicked over tn
stool. His body hung al night unde
the big bells he had rung for SO man.
years.
suicide Motive . Mystery.
No one knows why he did II. Pau
said that the afternoon before Waite
had come to his Office and told Paul &
20 away. that he would lock up. Pau
,idn't want to leave. but finally did a
stput ten minutes TO 5. That was tn
asst seen Of the sexton. He seemed
cneerful. and neither Paul. Brown. ID:
Ceer. Mr.. Cox nor members or Walter
family can give a reason for his act
a.. bundled up all his letters and per
Sonal papers and sent them to his VIII
a. their home. 4Sl2 Hillside avenue
Richmond Hill, but there was no not
~ explanation with them.
The scxton's final act in the churc
II. mad served so long made necessar
yesterday morning a service of purihca
ION. II was found that there was n
service which exactly fitted the case bu
nr. ,ieer adapted a service for purinca
,.on If a profancd font. II was rea
Nv the vicar shortly before noon. wiie
mo usual midday services were held.
The body was taken charge OF b
,,-own and the funeral will he held fror
Waters nome. DIR. J. II. Cummings
another curate Of the church. went on
20 Sc. Mrs. Walter and said afterwar
'ha' the services would he held on Sal
urday. prayers will be said for the n
Ioso Of his soul IN st. Fauls To-day.
Walter was 80 years old. He wa
VOL Known to all those who attende
rNc midday services and stood at the doc
greeting the congregation.
philip Walter was a splendid ma,
Vho gave his best to the church. sal
~. Gcer yesterday. II know or no rcs
son for his act. and his death ha
.qockcd me greatly. He was my fr!en
and helper. one who cheerfully Lahore
carly and late. He served the churc
vel and have only praise FOR ever,
hing about tn. man save his mai act