New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-17
Dentist Ends
Life by Poison
In Hotel Room
DIR. Waterbury, of Brook
lynn, Bids Wife Goodbye
With Laugh, Walks TO Of
fee, Then Goes to Death
Cause Remains Mystery
Carbolic Acid Victim Had
Breakdown Several Years
Ago, Says Physician

DR. Thomas D. Waterbury, president
OF the Waterbury Dental Parlors, Inc.
Ala Fulton Street. Brooklyn, committed
suicide in the Hotel McAlpin yester-
day by drinking carbolic acid.
He left no farewell message. He was
married, 55 years of age and lived at
"a Monroe Place, Brooklyn, in an ex-
elusive apartment house. No specific
reason could be learned for his action.
Joking and laughing he left MS wife
after luncheon on Friday and was not
seen or heard from thereafter until ne
entered the motel at $3.50 O'Clock yes
teyday morning and paid in advance Tor
room.
He was assigned to Room 1906 and
shortly after left q call for p. IN.
When he failed to respond ut that hour
House Detectives Deniston and Has
sett effected an entrance by means OF
pass key and found him lying on the
bed dead. He was partly dressed.
Wife Notified of Death
A search of this clothing brought
forth a memorandum book IN which
his name and address were written and
it was by means of this clew that ms
wife was notified and eventually 1den-
titled the body. =,
Inquiries among the dentists init
niate friends failed to disclose the
motive for his act. At the office OF the
Waterbury Dental Company Q young
woman, who answered the phone ex-
pressed astonishment when informed
of his death. She said he had VISITED
the parlors on Friday afternoon and
was in excellent spirits.
DR.. Dolan, an associate in the dental
firm. corroborated this statement, say
ing that DIR. Waterbury was in his Oh
fee st $3.50 o'clock Friday afternoon
and seemed in excellent health and
hunor Dr. Dolan secuted the theory
that his superior was in any financial
difficulties and could shed no light on
his whereabouts Friday night.
Mrs. Waterbury was equally puzzled
as TO the manner in which her husband
spent his time from the time he LETT
her and her friend at luncheon Fri
day afternoon, to his appearance at
the McAlpin. She stated that she was
considerably worried when he did not
return home, but reconclled herSe1 TO
the fact that he was among friends, as
he had an extensive list of companions
whom he frequently visited.
DIR. NJ 7. Lewis, his physician, 404
Fifty-ffth Street, Brooklyn, was dunn
founded when he learned of the
death. He had an appointment to play
golf with DR.. Waterbury tomorrow,
and had called him up the evening pre-
yious in order to postpone the engage
ment until Tuesday. DR.. Lewis said
that DR.. Waterbury had a nervous
breakdown about four years ago and
was forced to give up active participa--
ton in his business, with which he had
then been connected for more than
IGenty-three years.
Poisoned Two Years Ago
II was also learned that the dentist
WAS the victim of serious attack of
ptomaine poisoning about two years
ago, and that he was always worried
about the general condition Of his
health.
From the appearance of the body il
is believed the dentist took the poison
While lying down, as his face was
burned. Another theory was that he
drank the acid standing and then fell
back on the bed. DR.. Benjamin
Schwartz, of the medical examiners
office viewed the BODY