On This Day in Pittsburgh History: March 14, 1906
James Wallace Conant, the “father” of Pittsburgh hockey — some say professional hockey — dies mysteriously on a business trip to New York. [Wiki] 
From Pittsburghhockey.net: 

The morning papers said it was sudden and natural. The afternoon papers suggested something much darker: Alcoholism and infidelity, at least. He checked into hotel under the name of J.C. Wallace with two women (“wife” and “friend of wife”). His wife, Margaret, was in Pittsburgh when notified of his death by a Pittsburgh doctor who was said to be traveling with Conant in New York. This doctor signed the death certificate listing cause of death as “heart attack.”A report in the press said a New York doctor disputed the account of Conant’s doctor: “I am not at all convinced that this man died of natural causes,” the paper reported.Robbery and murder were also hinted. The Pittsburg Gazette reported the body was moved to the Navarra and that some dispute took place in New York. His personal belongs, including $600 and a diamond stickpin, were missing.Conant’s body was returned to Pittsburgh and picked up at the Pennsylvanian train station by James Flannery & Brothers Funeral home. Visitation was held at Conant’s home on Gist Street before he was buried at Allegheny Cemetary on St. Patrick’s Day, according to a death notice in the Pittsburgh Press.

On This Day in Pittsburgh History: March 14, 1906

James Wallace Conantthe “father” of Pittsburgh hockey — some say professional hockey — dies mysteriously on a business trip to New York. [Wiki

From Pittsburghhockey.net

The morning papers said it was sudden and natural. The afternoon papers suggested something much darker: Alcoholism and infidelity, at least. He checked into hotel under the name of J.C. Wallace with two women (“wife” and “friend of wife”). His wife, Margaret, was in Pittsburgh when notified of his death by a Pittsburgh doctor who was said to be traveling with Conant in New York. This doctor signed the death certificate listing cause of death as “heart attack.”

A report in the press said a New York doctor disputed the account of Conant’s doctor: “I am not at all convinced that this man died of natural causes,” the paper reported.

Robbery and murder were also hinted. The Pittsburg Gazette reported the body was moved to the Navarra and that some dispute took place in New York. His personal belongs, including $600 and a diamond stickpin, were missing.

Conant’s body was returned to Pittsburgh and picked up at the Pennsylvanian train station by James Flannery & Brothers Funeral home. Visitation was held at Conant’s home on Gist Street before he was buried at Allegheny Cemetary on St. Patrick’s Day, according to a death notice in the Pittsburgh Press.


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Pittsburgh Penguins, 1967 [Pittsburgh Hockey]

Pittsburgh Penguins, 1967 [Pittsburgh Hockey]


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