New-York tribune., 1922-02-02
Dies Plunsing
20 Stories Off
Municipal Bid =.
Jonas M. Libbey. Old Really
Dealer and Union League
Club Member, Jumps or
Falls as Grow Is Pass
Passcrsby Barely Escape
Former Owner of L;bbcy's
Castle Put in Morning
Fighting Proposed Park

Jonas NJ. Libbcy. seventy years old,
veteran real estate operator and
member Of the Union League Club,
jumped or fell to his death from, an
upper story of tho Municipal Building
shortly after noon yesterday. His
body struck the pavement a few feet
froW the Park Row entrance and mar
rovly missed several persons leaving
the building on their way to lunch.
few minutes before his body was
found, Mr.. Libbcy was seen on the
twentieth floor. Some witnesses said,
however, that he dropped from the
twenty fifth floor. Tins is the roof.
The body was removed to the Eliza
neth street station, wncre it was den
tlhed by George Gregory. bell captain
at the Union League Club. and Miss
Mary Smith. house sckecpcr Of q roominc
house at 24o West Forty-fourth Street
where Mr.. Libbey had made his home
for the last two years. Miss Smith
said that Libbey was reserved, kent to
himself and seldom spoke 10 any ono
She said she could recall but one CON
vcrsaton with him.
Once Owned "Libbey's Castle"
Mr. libbey was formerly owner Of
property at iSSd Street and Fort Wash
lngton Avenue known as "Libbey's
Castle" This property was afterward
acquired by G. X c. Billings and Is
known rs the Billings estate
At one time Mr.. Libbey owned much
unlmproved property in the Fort Wash
lngton section known as Overlook Ter
race. Tax bills for property valued at
$4,000, found III his pockets, bear out
the report that he vas "land poor and
dospondcnt because of has inability TO
pay his taxes At Comptroller Craigs
office it was SAID that about S31 900
for land. now part Of Overlook Ter
race. had been received by Libbov. His
assessments for improvements on ad-
joining lands amounted approximately
TO SA1 900
Yesterday morning p hearing was
hold before Borough President Miller.
A this hearing it Was proposed to
make a park OF Overlook Terrace Ac-
cording TO The plans projected street
was to be closed. Libbey, along with
a dozen others. appeared at the hear
ing TO oppose the closing Of this street.
arguing that to do so would affect The
value Of the adjoining property.
Favored by RockefciIers
The project was favored by Roclc-
feler interests and various other realty
holders in that section. George Gray
Barnard the scul ptor, offered TO donate
large sum Of money for the ostab-
lishmcnt Of tie proposed park. The
board took 10 action toward closing
the street and gave no indication OF
its decision on the park
Shortly after the hearing adjourned
Mr. Lbhev vent to his death
AT the Union League Club it was
said that Mr. Libbey, who WAS fire.
quent visitor. was always cheerful.
He vas P member in good standing
and got much of his mail at the club.
According to Gregory. the hell cap
tain. Lihbey was al the club yeste rday
morning. Asked If he wanted any
message taken for him during tho day.
he aniwered: Keep them" Asked if
he would return later III the day, he
replied II don't know
card in one of Mr.. Libhey's pock-
cts read
My name is J NJ Llbbev. I live at
2A9 West Forty-fourth Street House
Of Or William p. Hunt. Bryant 1890
Phone or telegraph T A. Lbbev. POO
Pitney Avenue, Spring Lake Beach
!