File:Aaron B. Rollins (1818-1878) obituary in the New York Times on December 5, 1878.pdf

Summary[edit]

Text[edit]

Death Of Ex-Coroner Rollins. He Is Found Dead In His Bed At The Union-place Hotel. A Sketch Of His Career. Ex-Coroner Aaron B. Rollins was found dead yesterday morning in his room at the Union-Place Hotel. He was born, about 60 years ago, in this State. In his boyhood he was employed in a drug store at the corner of Oak and James streets, in the Fourth Ward of this City. Afterward he became the proprietor of the shop. When he was a young man he took an active part in politics, and, under the guidance of George H. Purser, at that time a leader In the Democratic Party, he was placed on the Tammany Hall General Committee of the Fourth Ward. In 1851 he was elected to the Assembly from the Ninth District. During the session in which he served the act increasing the number of Coroners in this County from two to four was passed. In 1853 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Orser, and he served in that capacity also under Sheriff Willett, occupying the office for six years. During this time he gave up the drug business and devoted himself entirely to political affairs. When Thomas Stephens became President of the Croton Aqueduct Board In 1860, he appointed Rollins Water Purveyor, and he held that position until 1864, when Mr. Stephens went out of office. In 1807 Mr. Rollins was elected Coroner, and served in that capacity for three years. His associates were Cornelius Flynn, Patrick H. Keenan, and William G. Schirmer. Keenan and Schirmer are both dead. The most important case in which Rollins figured was the murder of Benjamin Nathan. He held the inquest in that case, and, although the investigation was protracted for several weeks, the jury rendered an open verdict. When he left the office of Coroner he retired into private life. Two years ago he took up his abode at the Union-Place Hotel, where he remained until his death. For several years past he had been in poor health, complaining of pains about the heart. On Sunday last he appeared in his usual health, but the next day he said that he was feeling sick, and he kept his room. At midnight, Mr. Ryan, the proprietor of the hotel, sent one of the hall boys to his room with some refreshments, of which Mr. Rollins partook. He then went to bed, and between 7 and 8 o'clock yesterday morning one of the chamber-maids found him dead in bed. It was evident that he had died while asleep, and that his death was painless. Coroner Flanagan was notified, and Deputy Coroner Miller will make an autopsy to-day. The arrangements for the funeral have not yet been perfected. The deceased leaves a widow, and one son and a daughter, both of whom are married. Mr. Rollins had a host of friends and no enemies, and his death is universally regretted. Throughout his whole political career he was a firm adherent of Tammany Hall, and never swerved from his allegiance to that party. He was a member of the Americus Club long before that organization got under the control of Tweed, and also of the Clever Fellows, the Hoboken Turtle Club, and other social clubs. Notwithstanding the lucrative political positions he had filled, he died poor.

People[edit]

• Coroner Aaron Burr Rollins (1818-1878)
• William Magear Tweed (1823-1878)
• Coroner William G. Schirmer (1810-1878)
• Coroner Patrick H. Keenan (1837-1907)

Quotes[edit]

"The deceased leaves a widow, and one son and a daughter, both of whom are married."

Licensing[edit]

	This media file is in the public domain in the United States. This applies to U.S. works where the copyright has expired, often because its first publication occurred prior to January 1, 1929, and if not then due to lack of notice or renewal. See this page for further explanation.
	This image might not be in the public domain outside of the United States; this especially applies in the countries and areas that do not apply the rule of the shorter term for US works, such as Canada, Mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macao), Germany, Mexico, and Switzerland. The creator and year of publication are essential information and must be provided. See Wikipedia:Public domain and Wikipedia:Copyrights for more details.