The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-04
WOMAN TO PAY FOR
WILKINS FUNERAL
Music Teacher, Stranger to
Dead Man, Offers Money
for Cremation.

Mrs. May L. Stacey of 435 Bergen
saw DR.. Walter X. wilkins and never
heard of him until he was placed on
trial for the murder OF his wife. called
at Cornell's Morgue in Hampstead yes
terday and offered to pay for the Gre
nation OF his body so that It need not
be buried In pauper's field.
DR.. wilkins was convicted OF his wife's
murder last Friday at Mineola and
hanged himself in the Jail there on Sun
day night In a note he wrote Just be-
fore his suicide he asked his counsel
to sell some jewelry he had and with
the proceeds and $50 which was In his
wallet arrange to have his body Gre
mated. His lawyer. however. Is power
less to use the money or sell the jew
elry until an administrator has been
appointed to take charge OF DR.. Wilkins
property.
His body lay unclaimed at Hemp
stead after his suicide and 1t would
have been buried in the pauper's cor
ner Of Greenfield Cemetery at Rock
vile Center had not Mrs. Stacey come
forward with her offer.
Mrs. Stacey, who Is a widow and
supports herself by teaching music,
called at Cornell's Morgue yesterday and
offered to pay for the cremation Of the
body and provide for the burial OF the
ashes. The expense will be $40. After
Ia had communicated with DR.. wilkins s
lawyers arrangements were made for
the cremation at Fresh Pond tomorrow.
Mrs. Stacey explained she had not
read of DR.. wilkinss arrest after the
killing Of his wife and had only begun
reading Of his case after he was placed
on trial. She said she had followed the
case with great interest and from wha,
she had read and judging by the various
pictures of him which were published
had become convinced OF his innocence.
Mrs. Stacey said that 1t Is her habit to
read the Bible every day and that while
DR.. Wilkins was on trial she once wrote
him recommending that he read certain
Scriptural passages which she thought
would console him and give him courage
My purpose in saving him from a
pauper's grave Is purely samaritan" she
said. This Is hard and cruel world
and I firmly believe this man was in.
nocent. l never met him or even saw
him In my life"
DR.. Wilkins, in addition to a small
amount of personal property. Owned a
half interest in the Long Beach house
where his vile was murdered. As soor
as some one Is appointed 10 administer
his estate, his lawyers said yesterday
Mrs. Stacey will be repaid.
A woman living in Freeport advanced
the theory that DR.. wilkins was identica
with a Walter Keene whom she haC
known years ago In England and who
| went to Australia after marrying a
wealthy woman, who died within a few
months. Atterward the man came e
this country and made another success
full marriage. The original Keene was &
butcher by trade. The woman who toe
of him yesterday said she had mean
TO attend court when DR.. wilkins wa.
sentenced and see II he was the sam,
| man. .
Elb?rt white, the Long Beach police
man who gave testimony favorable e
Dr. wilkins at his trial. was dropped
! from the Long Beach force by Chic
Tracy yesterday for the good OF tn,
/ service" Several of his fellow police
men. including Chief Tracy, contradictet
him on the witness stand. His testimon!
was offered to corroborate the case o
the defence that DR.. wilkins wa
framed up.