The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-01-22
M. COLEMAN DIES
IN TEN STORY LEAP
Suicide of Counsel Of Hudson
and Manhattan Road Laid
to Illness.
SPECIAL Despatoh 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C.. Jan. 2l.

Washington. ID. C.. Jan. FL.
William Magruder Coleman, general
counsel OF the Hudson and Manhattan
Railroad Company of New YORK ana
director Of many corporations, ieaped
from the window OF his room on tne
tenth floor OF the Hotel Powhatan TINS
afternoon. He died the instant his body
struck the pavement, only few rect
from passersby.
Although Mr.. Coleman was known to
be suffering from the after effects OF
influenza and was bothered by attacks
of vertigo the authorities here said his
death was premeditated. Coroner j. i.
hewitt issued n certificate OF suicide. A
note dated January IS, found among Mr..
Coleman's papers. directed that all his
property go 20 his wife.
Against the advice OF his wife. VINO
feared ne was not strong enough TO
make tie trip. Mr.. Coleman came TO
Washington Thursday night with f. ii.
Sellfclk. comptroller of the Hudson and
Manhattan Company, 10 transact busi-
ness with the Railroad Administration.
Mr.. Sellick said he could give no rea-
son for his companions act
Coleman was not feeling well and
refused TO go down to dinner this az
ternoon about ] o'clock. when | last
saw him." Mr.. Sellick said tonight.
HE had not been in the best OF health
recently. but did not seem sufiiciently
worried about his condition TO mention
the cause OF his ailment."
Mr.. Sellick said he and Mr.. Coleman
finished their business with the Rail-
road Administration this morning and
planned TO start for New York on the
4 o'clock train this afternoon. Coleman
leaped to death at 2 30. He was dressed
in street clothes. but was without hat
or oyercoat His skull was fractured
and his arms and legs were broken.
Mr.. Coleman lived with his wife and
two sons at / West Eighty-ninth street.
Besides his work as an attorney ne
devoted himself to writing numerous ar
ticles, including a series advocating
closer bonds Of feeling between the
Anglo-Saxon countries.
Born in Brockville, Nd, he came to
this city twenty-five years ago. soon
after his marriage to Lillian Worthy. in
New orleans, In 1899. His ability as a
lawyer was soon recognized in the
metropolis.
According TO reference books Mr..
Coleman was recently vice-president and
general counsel Of the Central states
Electric Corporation. vice-president ana
director of the Electric Investment Cor
poration. secretary and director of Fed
eral Utilities. Inc, secretary and direc-
tor of General Vehicle Company. secre-
tary. general counsel and director OF
the Mahonlng and Shenango Railway
and Light Company: director of the
Peerless Motor Car Company. secretary
and director Of the Peerless Trunk and
Motor Corporation. vice-president gem
eral counsel and director Of the Re-
public Railway and Light Company {;
director of the Republic Rubber Corpora
ton and president and director OF the
Utilities Securities Corporation.
When he became associated with the
Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Conn
pany some months ago IL is believed
Mr.. Coleman severed his connection With
several OF these companies. lie was IS
years old