New-York tribune., 1922-06-14
Veteran Republican Lead
er Drops in Golf Match
With G.. ID. Hilles, Ralph
Day and Geo. Sweeney
Expires Joking Over
Hole i'm 3 Strokes
Headed Party in Roches-
ter 30 Years and Was
Original Harding Man

George W. Aldridge. Collector OF the
Port OF New York. and for more than
thirty years leader of the Republican
organization Of Monroe County and
Rochester, dropped dead yesterday aft
ernoon on the golf course Of the West
ehcster-Bltmore Country Club at Rye.
lie had just finished playing the
eighth hole and was driving Of when
he dropped. lie never regained con.
sciousness.
Almost Immediately he was attended
by three friends with whom he was
playing, Charles d. Hilles, Republican
National Committeeman from New
York; Ralph A. Day, Prohibition En-
forcement Director. and George w.
Sweeney, Of the Commodore Hotel, a
longtime friend and former resident
Of Rochester.
Elated at Hole In J
Mr.. Hilles, in speaking Of the sud
den passing Of the Collector, said last
night:
at all came so suddenly that we
still are greatly shaken The Collector
motorcd from Manhattan carly yester-
day afternoon with Messrs. Day and
Sweeney and myself, and We got to
playing soon after reaching the course.
Mr.. Aldridge was in especially good
spirits and form. He made the eighth
hole in three and seemed greatly
elated over il. He was just driving
of from the ninth tee when the stroke
came that ended his life. We saw him
sway slightly and then drop 10 the
grass. Almost instantly we were az
his side, but he did not open mis- eyes
or speak. In fact. he was pronounced
dead as soon as he was examined by
the physician, Dr.. Ira Hill, Of New
York, who was on hand az the time and
who reached him almost as soon a. any
Of US"
The Collectors only son, George w.
Aldridge jr., associated with Frank
Presbrey, the advertising agent, was
notified without delay and soon reached
Rye. lie and his wife will take the
body TO Rochester, the family home,
tonight.
Friends Are Shocked
James D. Hotchklss. Collector Aid
ridges right-hand man in politics, was
telegraphed TO and at once cane 20
New York.
The sudden death Of the Collector
aroused the greatest interest and SYM
pathy. william L. Ward, OF West
chester, almost n lifelong friend, soon
Joined Mr. Hilles and others NJ Rye
md assisted in taking charge Of affairs
until the arrival Of Mr.. A!dridge's son.
The golhng party remained no the
clubhouse only a short time before
going 20 the links. The collector and
Mr.. Sweeney were paired. As the game
started the collector was in excellent
spirits and joked with mis- companions
As 10 how badly his opponents were
going TO be beaten Mr. Aldridge drove
from the ninth tee and followed his
raddy. As Mr.. Sweeney was about 10
drive he saw the collectors caddy run
ming back and waving his arms. Mr.
Sweeney. Mr.. Hillcs and Mr.. Day
fastened forward. but the stricken man
was already unconscious.
Body Taken to Clubhouse
The collectors body was carried 10
the clubhouse, where IL was viewed by
the medical examiner, who sanctioned
its removal 10 an undertaking estab-
Iishment
Mrs. George ". Aldridge sr. was IN
Rochester when informed OF the death
" her husband. Her son and his wife
will be with her carly this morning.
The body will be sent 10 Rochester in
are Of James /. Ilotchkiss. Mr..
Aldridgc's longtime associate IN poll 4
les.
DR.. Hill after examining Mr..
,ldridge. said that death had resulted f.
rom an embolism in an artery OF the /
leart.