William Kelly Seaman

Citations

1. [S20] Eliza Seaman Leggett, Journal of Eliza Seaman Leggett, Grove Farm, July 5
   I have been trying to collect my thoughts and still my heart sufficiently to write thee the terrible tragedy that has befallen us. Oh, how can I tell thee, I have no words. I can only say that Fanny and William S. are no more. And oh, most awful, by his own hands the deed was done. Our own dear Willie, the best, the noblest of them all, and the most beloved.
   We were dining with some Friends when a noise from Fanny’s room attracted our attention. Dr. Lou rushed up but all was over. This were given to the reporter by Dr. Lou as so much that we felt that he thought best to give a correct account. I can write no more as my mind is too much tossed to think of any thing but the Dear Ones who are gone.
   We had a very small, quiet funeral, the Episcopal Minister officiating as he attended that Church and his affianced was a member. We knew it would be pleasing to her. Oh, what a sad sight to see the two coffins side by side, Valentine and Anna’s youngest children.
   I hope our sad house will not deter any of you from visiting us this summer. With love to all thy family, I am as ever, thy aff. Sister.
   Anna.
   
2. [S62] 3 July 1883, The New York Times, An unfortunate shooting affair took place on Sunday afternoon at “Grove Farm” the residence of Mrs. William Ferris, at Throgg's Neck, Westchester County. With Mrs. Ferris, boarded Mr. and Mrs. Seaman and their daughter Fannie. The latter, being an invalid was confined to her room on the second floor and had a maid, Fredericke Gunther, to wait on her. At 1:30 o'clock this maid had provided Miss Seaman with some soup and a glass of water and gone down stairs to get the rest of her dinner. At the same time the other members of the family were at dinner in the dining-room immediately below Miss Seaman's room. They heard some strange noises up stairs and finally a heavy fall on the floor. As the maid was just returning, they told her to make haste and see what was the matter. She ran up, and immediately returned with the intelligence that Miss Seaman had been shot dead, and that her brother, William K. Seaman, was also lying dead on the floor. The family, among whom were Dr. Louis L. Seaman, chief of the medical staff of the Charity Hospital on Blackwell's Isalnd, and Lawyer Henry Bischoff, Jr., of this city . immediately went up to the room and found the story to be true. In the brother's hand was a revolver with which he had shot both his sister and himself through the brain. They must have both died instantly. Coroner Ilyler, of Port Chester, was notified and held an inquest, when a verdict was returned that the deceased young man came to his death from a pistol-shot wound inflicted on himself while laboring under temporary aberration of mind caused by overwork. A verdict covering the case of the sister was also returned. Miss Fannie Seaman was very pretty brunette and she and her brother were particularly fond of each other.
        Mr. seaman entered the Department of Mechanic Arts in Cornell University in the fall of 1874, and soon took rank as an unusually bright student. He was especially excellent in the practical work of the machine shop, where he easily took precedence over all others, and was noted for his spirit of energy and determination. One of the machines now in daily use in the shop, designed and constructed entirely by his own hands, is a witness of his skill. Personally he was of a genial, jovial disposition, and while too much of a worker to have a large circle of friends he was very popular within his circle. He graduated in 1878, and soon found employment with the late A. L. Holley, of this City. Later he was engaged for a time with the Southwark Foundry and Machine Company, of Philadelphia. About two years ago he became connected with the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company, of Scranton, Penn., where he was engaged at the time of his death. At the improvement, in latter place he had introduced an important and extensive the machinery of the steel rail mill. The machine was lately put in operation with entire success, and will, without doubt, prove of great value to the rolling mill trade. He was early made a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers on the recommendation of some of its foremost members, and at its last November meeting in this City he read a paper before it on the subject of the invention spoken of, the paper being warmly commended. In connection with superintending the construction and erection of this machine and his other duties he had been greatly overworked, having complained of exhaustion and sleepiness for more than a year, and at one time he contemplated giving up this position and going to California for his health. His sister, Fannie, was 28 years of age. The parents, who are very much prostrated, have the warmest sympathy of their neighbors, the villagers, and all their acquaintances.