Coroner of New York City

Richard Croker served New York County from 1873 to 1876
Anthony Eickhoff served New York County from 1874 to 1876
Edward Butler Coombs served Kings County from 1896 to 1897 before being arrested
Gustav Scholer served New York County from 1902 to 1905
Julius Harburger served New York County in 1907
Israel Lewis Feinberg, served New York County from 1910 to 1918
Timothy P. Healy, served New York County from 1913 to 1918

The Coroner of New York City issued death certificates and performed autopsies and inquests for New York County, New York for all homicides, suicides and accidental deaths and any suspicious deaths. The office served only Manhattan until 1891 when the city expanded. After the 1891 consolidation of New York City the office handled the outer boroughs, with each outer borough having two coroners.[1] Coroners are elected at the same time as the Mayor of New York City for a term of four years and there was no requirement that the candidate had to be a physician. They may be removed from office by the Governor of New York. If a coroner dies in office, or is fired, or quits, someone is appointed to fill out their term. The coroners received a salary and also billed the city for services rendered for each autopsy and inquest. By 1896 the Manhattan coroner was earning $6,000 per year, and in 1897 each inquest was billed at $8.50.[2] In 1915 a law was passed and the office was to be abolished on January 1, 1918. It was replaced with the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York. The medical examiner was to be a physician and no longer had the ability to hold inquests, those powers were transferred to the district attorney.[3] Between 1898 when the city was consolidated and 1915 when the office went from coroner to medical examiner, 65 coroners had served in the position. Of them, 19 were physicians, 8 were undertakers, 7 were politicians, 6 were real estate agents, 2 were saloon keepers, 2 were plumbers, 1 was a musician, 1 was a dentist, and 1 was a butcher.[4]

Laws

The New York statute of 1847 describes the Coroner's duties:

Whenever any coroner shall receive notice that any person has been slain, or has suddenly died, or has been dangerously wounded, or has been found dead under such circumstances as to require an inquisition, it shall be the duty of such Coroner to go to the place where such person shall be, and forthwith to summon a jury.[5]

The laws covering deaths in New York City in 1865 was as follows:

The machinery of the law of New-York City about Coroners' inquests is arranged to take advantage of the insular situation of New-York. That is: First, it prohibits interments within the city, except in certain specified cases. Second, it prohibits anyone from conveying out of the city the body of anyone who has died within it, except under a permit from the City Inspector. Third, it directs the Inspector to grant such permit on receipt of a proper certificate, either from the Coroner of from the physician who attended the deceased; or if there was none, from some one of the family. Fourth, it specifies that the physician who makes such a certificate shall, among other things, specify 'the direct and indirect cause of the death of such person;' and that if the Coroner holds an inquest, he shall do the same in his certificate.[5]

The Government of the City of New York official guide written by the New York City Commissioner of Accounts in 1917 describes the office as follows:

There are eleven Coroners in the City of New York — four for the Borough of Manhattan, two for The Bronx, two for Brooklyn, two for Queens and one for Richmond. The Coroners in each borough, except Richmond, constitute a Board of Coroners for the borough. Coroners are elected at the same time as the Mayor for a term of four years. They may be removed on charges by the Governor. The Coroner has jurisdiction over all homicide, suicide and accidental death cases and over all suspicious deaths, deaths in prison, and cases where the deceased was unattended by a physician. In cases of serious wounding the Coroner has jurisdiction to take an ante-mortem statement. The functions of the Coroner are threefold — medical investigation to determine the scientific cause of death, legal investigation to determine who caused the death, and judicial power to sit as a magistrate in homicide cases. The law requires the Coroner to summon a jury in cases where there is reasonable ground to believe that a homicide has been committed, and he may order the arrest of suspected persons. Each Coroner has a coroner's physician to assist him in medical investigations. He may subpoena witnesses and has power to order an autopsy and issues death certificates, upon which the Health Department grants burial permits. A law passed in 1915 provides for the abolishment of the office of Coroner on January 1, 1918, and the substitution of a Chief Medical Examiner for the entire city, with assistant medical examiners. The work of legal investigation is to be assumed by the District Attorneys, and the coroner's judicial function is to be performed by the City Magistrates.[1]

History

Originally New York City had two elected coroners. Each coroner was assigned a physician and a clerk. In 1852 the number of coroners were doubled to four.[6]

In 1896 Theodore Knapp Tuthill suggested doubling the number of New York County, New York coroners from four to eight, and increasing the compensation for the coroners to attract more competent officials.[7]

In 1898 New York City expanded from Manhattan to include Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and The Bronx.

In 1903 senator Nathaniel A. Elsberg sought to abolish the office and set up a new one based on the medical examiner model used in Massachusetts. Each medical examiner would be appointed to a five-year term. The coroner would no longer have police power and judicial power. That role would be taken over by the New York County District Attorney and the Criminal Court of the City of New York.[8]

By 1914-1915 there were eleven coroners serving the five boroughs of New York City with a budget of $170,000.[3]

On January 1, 1918 the office was abolished and replaced with the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York. Charles Norris (1867–1935) was the first non acting chief medical examiner in the newly established Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York.

New York County

Two coroners serving simultaneously until 1852 and four coroners for Manhattan, New York City after 1852. The aggregate of the coroners is called the Board of Coroners and is served by a president. The salary was $6,000 (approximately $171,000 today) in 1898.

Queens County

Two coroners serving simultaneously for Queens, New York City

Bronx County

Two coroners served simultaneously for The Bronx, New York City

Kings County

Two coroners served simultaneously for Brooklyn, New York City. One served the eastern district and the other served the western district.

Richmond County

Two coroners served in some years, and in other years a single coroner served Staten Island.

References

  1. 1 2 Government of the City of New York. New York City Commissioner of Accounts. 1917.
  2. "The Corrupt Tale of the Last Coroners of the City of Brooklyn". May 14, 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  3. 1 2 The Abolition of the Office of Coroner in New York City. New York Short Ballot Organization. 1914.
  4. 1 2 Kenneth Terry Jackson, Lisa Keller, and Nancy Flood. The Encyclopedia of New York City. p. 1506.
  5. 1 2 "The Law Affecting Coroners' Inquests". New York Times. September 1, 1865.
  6. The New York City Consolidation Act, as in Force in 1891. 1891. p. 738.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Coroners In Conference. Plans Advanced For Making Their Service More Efficient. Coroner Tuthill Reads an Elaborate Paper Outlining a Scheme of Improvement. He Thinks the Salary Insufficient to Secure Competent Officials. Twice as Many Coroners' Physicians Needed and Their Pay Not Adequate". New York Times. August 5, 1896. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
  8. "Bill To Abolish Coroners. Senator Elsberg Introduces a Measure Favored by Medical Associations Based on the Massachusetts Law". New York Times. February 6, 1903. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
  9. Minutes of Coroners proceedings, City and County of New York.
  10. "Coroner and Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 1823-1946". NYC.gov. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  11. "Painful Illness of Coroner Geer". New York Times. October 30, 1851.
  12. "Resignation of Coroner Geer". New York Times. January 11, 1852.
  13. 1 2 "General News". New York Times. January 11, 1865.
  14. "Dr. Louis Naumann". New York Times. November 1, 1876.
  15. "John Wildey Died In Poverty". New York Times. June 1, 1889.
  16. "Funeral of William C. Gover. He was Connected with New York Politics For Many Years". New York Times. December 16, 1891.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Death Of Ex-Coroner Rollins. He Is Found Dead In His Bed At The Union-place Hotel. A Sketch Of His Career". New York Times. December 5, 1878. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
  18. "Throng At Keenan Funeral". New York Times. May 9, 1907. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  19. "Dr. William Schirmer". New York Times. July 9, 1878. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
  20. "Death of ex-Coroner Kennedy". New York Times. September 18, 1892. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  21. "Ferdinand Eidman Dead. Revenue Collector, ex-State Senator, and ex-Coroner Was 67 Years Old". New York Times. May 6, 1910. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  22. 1 2 "Dr. T.K. Tuthill Made Coroner. Appointed by Gov. Morton in Place of the Late Dr. O'Meagher". New York Times. March 28, 1896. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
  23. "Death of Coroner O'Meagher". Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. 1896. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
  24. "Funeral of Dr. Theodore K. Tuthill". New York Times. October 28, 1926.
  25. "Ex-Coroner Hoeber Dead. An Interesting Figure of the Strong Administration Passes Away". New York Times. October 6, 1906.
  26. "Bausch Quits Tammany. Ex-Coroner Is Done with Murphyism and Comes Out for Fusion". New York Times. October 30, 1911. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E06E4DE1231E233A25753C3A9669D946096D6CF
  27. "Jacob E. Bausch Dies. Former Coroner Here. Served in Manhattan, 1898 to 1902, and as Clerk of Board, 1906-? Labor Leader". New York Times. May 22, 1932. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  28. "Coroner Eidman's Deputy". New York Times. December 30, 1885. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  29. "Dr. Gustav Scholer Dies of Heart Disease. Former Coroner Had Been President of the Arion Society and New York Turn Verein". New York Times. December 2, 1928. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  30. "Gustav Scholer papers" (PDF). New York Public Library. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  31. "Indict Coroner Acritelli. He Is Accused of Aiding and Abetting Registration Frauds". New York Times. October 26, 1907. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  32. "George F. Shrady, Ex-Coroner, Dies. Son Of Eminent Physician Caused Lowering Of Death Rate From 'the Bends.' Headed Aqueduct Police ... Sanitary Engineer. His Profession Once Had Charge Of Tammany Speakers' Bureau.". New York Times. April 6, 1933. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  33. "Dr. Israel Feinberg, Ex-Coroner Here, 69; Head of Old Board, 1910-18, Sought to Abolish System". New York Times. April 14, 1941. Retrieved 2011-02-06. Dr. Israel Feinberg, former president of the old Board of Coroners, died yesterday morning at bocker Hospital where he was ...
  34. "Coroners' Office Conceals Crime. Dr. Feinberg, Head of Manhattan Board, Admits Whole System Should Be Abolished. Commissioner of Accounts Gets Confirmation of Charges by Official Twice Elected". New York Times. November 18, 1914. Retrieved 2011-02-06. Dr. Israel L. Feinberg, President of the Manhattan Board of Coroners and now serving his second term, has come out unreservedly for the abolition of the entire Coroners' system. He says it is inadequate, subject to great abuses, and that as it works out in this city, it reeks with waste, confusion, and inefficiency.
  35. "Herman Hellenstein". New York Times. December 22, 1920.
  36. "James Winterbottom Dies". New York Times. November 14, 1933. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  37. "Ex-Coroner Riordan Dies Suddenly". New York Times. September 22, 1923.
  38. 1 2 3 Appointments 1685. p. 45.
  39. "Throng at Cronin Funeral". New York Times. May 20, 1905.
  40. "Murders His Wife For Slapping Him. Dr. Samuel S. Guy of Queens Commits Crime While on a Drunken Spree. Dies Instantly In Home. Mrs. Guy Had Dragged Him Away from the Servant, Whom He Was Annoying". New York Times. April 9, 1907.
  41. "Dr. Guy, Wife Slayer, Free. Paroled After Serving Two [sic] Years of Fourteen-Year Term". New York Times. December 3, 1914.
  42. "Minor Mention". The Horseless Age. 1907.
  43. "Want Nutt Punished For Contempt Of Court". Brooklyn Daily Standard Union. April 16, 1906.
  44. "Asks Gov. Hughes To Oust Coroner Nutt. Charged That Queens Official Retained $94 Taken from A.R. Von Der Zweep's Body. Coroner Says That He Held Railroad Victim's Effects In His Safe Until Court Action Was Brought". New York Times. April 18, 1908.
  45. "Carl Voegel". New York Times. December 10, 1955.
  46. "'Uncle Jim', Veteran Queens Politician, Dies In June 1921". June 19, 2008. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  47. 1 2 "Lieut. Mcauliffe On Trial. He Is Under Charge for the Arrest of Coroner Schwannecke". New York Times. April 29, 1910.
  48. "Bronx Coroner Killed On Duty. Schwannecke, Beloved by His Neighbors, Fell While Investigating Laborer's Death". New York Times. May 1, 1912.
  49. "J.F. Healy New Bronx Coroner". New York Times. July 11, 1912.
  50. "Edward H. Flavin". Brooklyn Eagle. May 13, 1911.
  51. 1 2 "George Henry Lindsay". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. p. 1451.
  52. "Ex-Coroner Coombs Free. His Term of Imprisonment for Presenting a False Claim Expires. Not Required to Pay Fine". New York Times. August 21, 1900.
  53. "Dr. Joseph Creamer Dead". Brooklyn Eagle. February 23, 1900. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  54. "Dr. A.C. Hendersen Dead. He was Coroner's Physician in the Borough of Brooklyn". New York Times. February 7, 1899. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  55. "Death Of Coroner Delap. Illness of Accused Brooklyn Official Terminates Fatally". New York Times. September 13, 1901. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  56. "A New Coroner for Richmond County". New York Times. July 5, 1879. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  57. 1 2 "Coroner for Richmond County". New York Times. September 18, 1897.
  58. "Unknown Wakes Doctor And Shoots Him In Bed. Charles W. Townsend, the Victim, Won't Tell Who Did It. Jewels And Money Left. Wife Tells Different Stories About a Burglar. Two Men Arrested, One the Husband of a Woman Patient". New York Times. January 27, 1907.
  59. "George C. Tranter". New York Times. May 14, 1925. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  60. "James L. Vail. Ex-County Clerk and Coroner of Richmond. Once Committeeman". New York Times. March 14, 1941.
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