SAMUEL GOLDFARB
New York
Samuel Goldfarb Slain by Robbers Who Looted Canal St. Firm of $5,000 in Jewelry
Frightened at the sight of two armed men standing over his father and another man, bound and gagged on the floor of the office of Goldfarb & Friedberg, Inc., jewelry manufacturers, 338-340 Canal St. New York, Samuel Goldfarb, 30, turned on his heel to flee only to receive two revolver bullets through the back from the alarmed robbers.
After some time had elapsed several men who had heard the shots mustered courage to come from their hiding to spread the alarm, and police entered to find the younger Mr. Goldfarb dead, and his father, Benjamin Goldfarb bound hand and foot to a radiator with his mouth taped, and unaware of the fact that his son had entered the office to meet his death. Beside him, bound in the same manner, was Louis Silverman, who rented desk space in the same office.
Police learned that the two men burst into the office with leveled guns on the morning of June 12. After binding Mr. Goldfarb and Mr. Silverman, they proceeded to rifle the open safe and stuff the gold, rings and miscellaneous jewelry valued at $5,000 into a canvas bag.
No one in the building could recall seeing the two men who committed the crime, who, because the elevator was not being operated that morning, had to climb the narrow stairways to the seventh floor office. Mr. Silverman described the man with the gun as being about 30 years of age; five feet, eight inches tall, and weighing about 180 pounds. He was wearing a dark brown suit and hat. He spoke with an accent, supposedly Italian. Neither Mr. Goldfarb nor Mr. Silverman could describe the other robber.
The slain man, who was active in the management of the company, was unmarried and lived with his father at 302 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - July 1936
Trev.
Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
EDWARD BARNES
Chicago
Edward Barnes, 75, who conducted a jewelry store in Chicago for many years, and his wife, 74, whom he married more than 50 years ago, were found dead June 7 in their cottage at 2836 Arthington St. Death was due to escaping gas from a defective gas fixture.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - July 1936
Trev.
Chicago
Edward Barnes, 75, who conducted a jewelry store in Chicago for many years, and his wife, 74, whom he married more than 50 years ago, were found dead June 7 in their cottage at 2836 Arthington St. Death was due to escaping gas from a defective gas fixture.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - July 1936
Trev.
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
A.T. KINGSLEY
Elmira, New York
A. T. Kingsley, an Old Millport, N. Y., Jeweler, Commits Suicide at Elmira.
Elmira, N. Y., Aug. 22. — A. T. Kingsley, Millport, committed suicide, Aug. 16, by hanging himself in his room at the Bucklee House on E. Water St. He was for many years well known in the jewelry trade both as a merchant and watch and clock repairer. He was about 70 years old, and leaves a large number of friends to mourn his death.
Mr. Kingsley conducted a business for a long time in Millport, and was widely respected. Owing to ill health and advancing age his business dropped off, and this, combined with attacks of stomach trouble, from which he had suffered for about three years, made him so morose and morbid that he had previously made an attempt upon his life. Some time ago Mr. Kingsley’s wife went to stay with relatives in Pennsylvania, and Mr. Kingsley had been living at the Bucklee House. When he did not come down to breakfast Aug. 16 the proprietor sent to his room, and, receiving no response, made an examination, only to find the jeweler hanging from a pipe in the center of the room.
The deceased was a veteran of the Civil War, a 32d degree Mason and a member of the Millport Lodge of that order. He is survived by a widow and one sister. The remains were taken to Millport.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 29th August 1906
Trev.
Elmira, New York
A. T. Kingsley, an Old Millport, N. Y., Jeweler, Commits Suicide at Elmira.
Elmira, N. Y., Aug. 22. — A. T. Kingsley, Millport, committed suicide, Aug. 16, by hanging himself in his room at the Bucklee House on E. Water St. He was for many years well known in the jewelry trade both as a merchant and watch and clock repairer. He was about 70 years old, and leaves a large number of friends to mourn his death.
Mr. Kingsley conducted a business for a long time in Millport, and was widely respected. Owing to ill health and advancing age his business dropped off, and this, combined with attacks of stomach trouble, from which he had suffered for about three years, made him so morose and morbid that he had previously made an attempt upon his life. Some time ago Mr. Kingsley’s wife went to stay with relatives in Pennsylvania, and Mr. Kingsley had been living at the Bucklee House. When he did not come down to breakfast Aug. 16 the proprietor sent to his room, and, receiving no response, made an examination, only to find the jeweler hanging from a pipe in the center of the room.
The deceased was a veteran of the Civil War, a 32d degree Mason and a member of the Millport Lodge of that order. He is survived by a widow and one sister. The remains were taken to Millport.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 29th August 1906
Trev.
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
ROBERT HELWIG
Cincinnati
Mrs. Emilie Helwig, 58, mother of Robert Helwig, 31, diamond setter, was killed in a recent automobile accident on Madison Road. The machine, driven by Mr. Helwig, went into the sidewalk on a curve trying to avoid another automobile, which swerved to the wrong side of the road. Mrs. Helwig died within two hours from a fracture of the skull. Mr. Helwig suffered a bruised left shoulder and from the shock; his father, William Helwig, was bruised about the body, and a guest, Joseph Doebel, 45, New York City, suffered cuts about the face and hands.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - June 1936
Trev.
Cincinnati
Mrs. Emilie Helwig, 58, mother of Robert Helwig, 31, diamond setter, was killed in a recent automobile accident on Madison Road. The machine, driven by Mr. Helwig, went into the sidewalk on a curve trying to avoid another automobile, which swerved to the wrong side of the road. Mrs. Helwig died within two hours from a fracture of the skull. Mr. Helwig suffered a bruised left shoulder and from the shock; his father, William Helwig, was bruised about the body, and a guest, Joseph Doebel, 45, New York City, suffered cuts about the face and hands.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - June 1936
Trev.
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
WILLIAM WALSH
St. Louis
Death of William Walsh
St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 24. — William Walsh, 71 years old, for many years a member of the late firm of Merrick, Walsh & Phelps, one of the best known jewelry firms in the west, but for the last six months employed as a salesman by the Hess & Culbertson Jewelry Co., on Thursday evening shot himself through the head with a 38-caliber revolver.
The suicide occurred in the lodge rooms of the Elks on the 12th floor of the Colonial Security building. Despondency is believed to have been the cause of Walsh’s act. Mr. Walsh left a widow and one son, Capt. E. V. Walsh, with whom he lived at 1390 Union Ave.
He left a brief letter to his wife, saying among other things : “It’s God’s will. See John 15-13.” The verse referred to reads : “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Mr. Walsh appeared at the Elks club rooms late in the afternoon with a party of friends, joining in the general talk and appearing more cheerful than usual. He left the room about 6 o’clock, and that was the last seen of him alive.
The body was discovered shortly after 7 o’clock by a member of the order who was showing some visitors through the club rooms. The body was stretched on two chairs, face downward. Mr. Walsh had been sitting in front of a small table upon which he had placed a bundle containing the two letters and a pocketbook.
The revolver had been clutched in the right hand, and the muzzle placed against the right side of the head, an inch above the ear. The bullet plowed its way through the brain, ranging upward and passing out through the top of the head, about an inch on the left side. After passing through the head the bullet struck the wall and glanced to the right.
The Mermod & Jaccard Jewelry Co., now the Mermod, Jaccard & King Jewelry Co., purchased the business of Merrick, Walsh & Phelps, in 1902. Mr. Walsh since then had been employed as a salesman in various, downtown jewelry establishments. He was one of the most popular jewelers in St. Louis, and was known for his integrity and sense of honor. Capt. Walsh said that his father had brooded over his health and his financial condition for several years.
The deceased was born in Quebec, Can., July 14, 1835, and came to this city in 1865. He saw service during the Civil War as a member of the loth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was a member of Ransom Post. G. A. R. ; Tuscan Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Templar, and Local No. 9, B. P. O. E., of which he was chaplain.
In the pocketbook found on Mr. Walsh’s person was a bank book, showing a balance of about $200. He carried a life insurance policy for several thousand dollars. These constituted his entire estate.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st October 1906
Trev.
St. Louis
Death of William Walsh
St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 24. — William Walsh, 71 years old, for many years a member of the late firm of Merrick, Walsh & Phelps, one of the best known jewelry firms in the west, but for the last six months employed as a salesman by the Hess & Culbertson Jewelry Co., on Thursday evening shot himself through the head with a 38-caliber revolver.
The suicide occurred in the lodge rooms of the Elks on the 12th floor of the Colonial Security building. Despondency is believed to have been the cause of Walsh’s act. Mr. Walsh left a widow and one son, Capt. E. V. Walsh, with whom he lived at 1390 Union Ave.
He left a brief letter to his wife, saying among other things : “It’s God’s will. See John 15-13.” The verse referred to reads : “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Mr. Walsh appeared at the Elks club rooms late in the afternoon with a party of friends, joining in the general talk and appearing more cheerful than usual. He left the room about 6 o’clock, and that was the last seen of him alive.
The body was discovered shortly after 7 o’clock by a member of the order who was showing some visitors through the club rooms. The body was stretched on two chairs, face downward. Mr. Walsh had been sitting in front of a small table upon which he had placed a bundle containing the two letters and a pocketbook.
The revolver had been clutched in the right hand, and the muzzle placed against the right side of the head, an inch above the ear. The bullet plowed its way through the brain, ranging upward and passing out through the top of the head, about an inch on the left side. After passing through the head the bullet struck the wall and glanced to the right.
The Mermod & Jaccard Jewelry Co., now the Mermod, Jaccard & King Jewelry Co., purchased the business of Merrick, Walsh & Phelps, in 1902. Mr. Walsh since then had been employed as a salesman in various, downtown jewelry establishments. He was one of the most popular jewelers in St. Louis, and was known for his integrity and sense of honor. Capt. Walsh said that his father had brooded over his health and his financial condition for several years.
The deceased was born in Quebec, Can., July 14, 1835, and came to this city in 1865. He saw service during the Civil War as a member of the loth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was a member of Ransom Post. G. A. R. ; Tuscan Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Templar, and Local No. 9, B. P. O. E., of which he was chaplain.
In the pocketbook found on Mr. Walsh’s person was a bank book, showing a balance of about $200. He carried a life insurance policy for several thousand dollars. These constituted his entire estate.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st October 1906
Trev.
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
GEORGE BROWN
Winnipeg
A man, giving his name as George Brown, 712 King St., Winnipeg, committed suicide in St. Paul, Jan. 13, by taking eight ounces of nitric acid. He was evidently on his way to Kansas City, as he had a ticket in his pocket reading ‘‘from Winnipeg to Kansas City." He wore considerable new jewelry, and was evidently a jeweler by trade, as he carried a kit of tools. He also wore an Odd Fellows’ badge and in his wallet was found $160 in money.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 23rd January 1895
Trev.
Winnipeg
A man, giving his name as George Brown, 712 King St., Winnipeg, committed suicide in St. Paul, Jan. 13, by taking eight ounces of nitric acid. He was evidently on his way to Kansas City, as he had a ticket in his pocket reading ‘‘from Winnipeg to Kansas City." He wore considerable new jewelry, and was evidently a jeweler by trade, as he carried a kit of tools. He also wore an Odd Fellows’ badge and in his wallet was found $160 in money.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 23rd January 1895
Trev.
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
GEORGE BROWN
Providence, Rhode Island
George Brown, 25 years old, lost portions of all the fingers of his right hand last Wednesday morning, when the hand became caught in a power press at the plant of Alfred Vester & Sons, 24 Calender St., where he is employed. The workman's cries attracted the attention of others, who stopped the press. An ambulance was summoned, in which he was removed to the Rhode Island Hospital. There two fingers were amputated at the first and the other two at the second joints.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1912
Trev.
Providence, Rhode Island
George Brown, 25 years old, lost portions of all the fingers of his right hand last Wednesday morning, when the hand became caught in a power press at the plant of Alfred Vester & Sons, 24 Calender St., where he is employed. The workman's cries attracted the attention of others, who stopped the press. An ambulance was summoned, in which he was removed to the Rhode Island Hospital. There two fingers were amputated at the first and the other two at the second joints.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1912
Trev.
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
ALFRED SORENSON
Salt Lake City, Utah
Alfred Sorenson, Salt Lake City, Utah, Kills Man in Quarrel Over Sale of Cuff Buttons
Salt Lake City, Utah, April 25.—Alfred Sorenson, a well-known jeweler of this city who is engaged in business on E. Second South St., is in the county jail charged with having shot and killed Thomas Hymes McGillis, a jewelry salesman. The shooting occurred at the Sorenson store on the afternoon of April 20 and has caused a great deal of excitement in this vicinity, as Mr. Sorenson was well known as a merchant among Socialists in Utah and had always taken a prominent part in matters of public interest. At the time that the shooting occurred two deputy sheriffs were in the store, and according to the police the shooting was the result of a quarrel over the sale of collar and cuff buttons. The revolver was taken from Jeweler Sorenson after he had emptied four chambers into his victim’s body.
According to reports, McGillis entered Sorenson’s store to effect a settlement of a dispute as to the former’s right to sell cuff and collar buttons on the sidewalk in front of the jewelry store. He was leaning over the counter arguing the question with the jeweler when the latter, according to eyewitnesses, suddenly whipped out a revolver and began shooting. The first shot lodged in McGillis’ wrist, and as he moved back toward the rear of the shop a second shot struck him in the neck and he dropped to the floor, clutching at the end of the counter. At this point Deputy Sheriff Hedges sprang over the counter toward Sorenson, but before he could reach him the jeweler had succeeded in firing two more shots, both of which lodged in his victim’s body.
McGillis was still alive when Deputy Sheriff Steele and J. N. Fleshman picked him up. He seized Steele by the arm and asked the officer if he thought he was going to die. A second later he became unconscious and died a moment after arriving at the emergency hospital at the city jail.
Mrs. McGillis, widow of the slain man, reached the jewelry shop only five minutes after the shooting. She was on her way to her home in the Santa Ana apartments, 341 E. Second South St., and knew nothing about the tragedy until she heard her husband’s name mentioned by someone in the crowd which had gathered. When she learned that her husband had been killed she screamed and would have fallen to the sidewalk had not some friends of her husband recognized her and taken her in charge. She was told that her husband was only slightly injured, and was taken to a hotel and placed in the care of a physician. The final news that her husband was dead was not broken to her until late that night.
It appears, from the story told by the police, that the incidents which led up to the shooting were many and complicated. Some days ago McGillis and his partner, H. L. Heine, rented a show window in a store immediately adjoining Sorenson’s jewelry store and put in a display of a new patented cuff and collar button. McGillis was the demonstrator, while Heine acted as salesman. They were successful in attracting a large crowd to the front of their window and were, it was stated, clearing an average of $20 a day.
The first dispute, it is understood, arose when an assistant began selling cuff buttons on the sidewalk. Sorenson warned McGillis that this constituted a violation of the license ordinance. The assistant was withdrawn and the sales confined to the interior of the store. Later in the evening Collier, an assistant, was instructed to mingle with the crowd and enter the store occasionally and purchase the buttons. He would then sell them apparently on his own account on the sidewalk.
Jeweler Sorenson, seeing the action of his rival, employed a man to buy a pair of buttons from Collier as evidence. Having done this, he called the police and had Collier arrested for violating the license ordinance. Sergeant B. D. Siegfus took him to the police station. McGillis left the demonstrating window and went to the station and put up $5 as bail for Collier’s appearance in court. After leaving the police station he returned to his place of business, and after discussing the situation with his assistants he entered Sorenson’s jewelry shop. The men were not two feet apart when Sorenson suddenly began shooting. In 10 minutes McGillis was dead.
Alfred Sorenson is one of the most widely known Socialists of Utah. Last Fall he was the Socialist candidate for city auditor, polling a considerable vote. He was at one time a Socialist candidate for Congressman for Utah, and again he was named on that ticket for the State supreme bench.
News of the jeweler’s arrest brought many to the county jail, but everyone except members of his family were refused admittance. Mr. Sorenson has been in the jewelry business for a number of years in this city. He has always borne a good reputation as a business man, and his friends are unable to account for his sudden and unexplainable act.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1912
Trev.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Alfred Sorenson, Salt Lake City, Utah, Kills Man in Quarrel Over Sale of Cuff Buttons
Salt Lake City, Utah, April 25.—Alfred Sorenson, a well-known jeweler of this city who is engaged in business on E. Second South St., is in the county jail charged with having shot and killed Thomas Hymes McGillis, a jewelry salesman. The shooting occurred at the Sorenson store on the afternoon of April 20 and has caused a great deal of excitement in this vicinity, as Mr. Sorenson was well known as a merchant among Socialists in Utah and had always taken a prominent part in matters of public interest. At the time that the shooting occurred two deputy sheriffs were in the store, and according to the police the shooting was the result of a quarrel over the sale of collar and cuff buttons. The revolver was taken from Jeweler Sorenson after he had emptied four chambers into his victim’s body.
According to reports, McGillis entered Sorenson’s store to effect a settlement of a dispute as to the former’s right to sell cuff and collar buttons on the sidewalk in front of the jewelry store. He was leaning over the counter arguing the question with the jeweler when the latter, according to eyewitnesses, suddenly whipped out a revolver and began shooting. The first shot lodged in McGillis’ wrist, and as he moved back toward the rear of the shop a second shot struck him in the neck and he dropped to the floor, clutching at the end of the counter. At this point Deputy Sheriff Hedges sprang over the counter toward Sorenson, but before he could reach him the jeweler had succeeded in firing two more shots, both of which lodged in his victim’s body.
McGillis was still alive when Deputy Sheriff Steele and J. N. Fleshman picked him up. He seized Steele by the arm and asked the officer if he thought he was going to die. A second later he became unconscious and died a moment after arriving at the emergency hospital at the city jail.
Mrs. McGillis, widow of the slain man, reached the jewelry shop only five minutes after the shooting. She was on her way to her home in the Santa Ana apartments, 341 E. Second South St., and knew nothing about the tragedy until she heard her husband’s name mentioned by someone in the crowd which had gathered. When she learned that her husband had been killed she screamed and would have fallen to the sidewalk had not some friends of her husband recognized her and taken her in charge. She was told that her husband was only slightly injured, and was taken to a hotel and placed in the care of a physician. The final news that her husband was dead was not broken to her until late that night.
It appears, from the story told by the police, that the incidents which led up to the shooting were many and complicated. Some days ago McGillis and his partner, H. L. Heine, rented a show window in a store immediately adjoining Sorenson’s jewelry store and put in a display of a new patented cuff and collar button. McGillis was the demonstrator, while Heine acted as salesman. They were successful in attracting a large crowd to the front of their window and were, it was stated, clearing an average of $20 a day.
The first dispute, it is understood, arose when an assistant began selling cuff buttons on the sidewalk. Sorenson warned McGillis that this constituted a violation of the license ordinance. The assistant was withdrawn and the sales confined to the interior of the store. Later in the evening Collier, an assistant, was instructed to mingle with the crowd and enter the store occasionally and purchase the buttons. He would then sell them apparently on his own account on the sidewalk.
Jeweler Sorenson, seeing the action of his rival, employed a man to buy a pair of buttons from Collier as evidence. Having done this, he called the police and had Collier arrested for violating the license ordinance. Sergeant B. D. Siegfus took him to the police station. McGillis left the demonstrating window and went to the station and put up $5 as bail for Collier’s appearance in court. After leaving the police station he returned to his place of business, and after discussing the situation with his assistants he entered Sorenson’s jewelry shop. The men were not two feet apart when Sorenson suddenly began shooting. In 10 minutes McGillis was dead.
Alfred Sorenson is one of the most widely known Socialists of Utah. Last Fall he was the Socialist candidate for city auditor, polling a considerable vote. He was at one time a Socialist candidate for Congressman for Utah, and again he was named on that ticket for the State supreme bench.
News of the jeweler’s arrest brought many to the county jail, but everyone except members of his family were refused admittance. Mr. Sorenson has been in the jewelry business for a number of years in this city. He has always borne a good reputation as a business man, and his friends are unable to account for his sudden and unexplainable act.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1912
Trev.
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
ARTHUR E. NUNALLY
Baltimore
BALTIMORE
Arthur E. Nunally, who has sold jewelry on the instalment plan in this city and Richmond, Va., shot and instantly killed his sweetheart near this city April 22, and then committed suicide. Jealousy was the cause of the double tragedy.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1912
Trev.
Baltimore
BALTIMORE
Arthur E. Nunally, who has sold jewelry on the instalment plan in this city and Richmond, Va., shot and instantly killed his sweetheart near this city April 22, and then committed suicide. Jealousy was the cause of the double tragedy.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1912
Trev.
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
JOHN CRUBERT
Denver, Colorado
John Crubert, a Swiss watchmaker, 51 years old, died at the county hospital here Tuesday, April 23, supposedly from exposure and starvation. He was found the day previous to his death in an abandoned building by some school children. He was hardly able to talk when found, but stated that he had been in the building three days without food or water. He had a large wound on his head which he could not account for. Nothing is known of his friends or relatives, or from whence he-came.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1912
Trev.
Denver, Colorado
John Crubert, a Swiss watchmaker, 51 years old, died at the county hospital here Tuesday, April 23, supposedly from exposure and starvation. He was found the day previous to his death in an abandoned building by some school children. He was hardly able to talk when found, but stated that he had been in the building three days without food or water. He had a large wound on his head which he could not account for. Nothing is known of his friends or relatives, or from whence he-came.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1912
Trev.
Re: Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade
AXEL J. WATZ
Newark, New Jersey
Axel J. Watz, an employe of Tiffany & Co., at its local plant, who was found at the foot of a flight of stairs at his home at 72 Irving St., is dead. His face was badly cut and he had many bruises. His wife, Mary, was taken into custody.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th December 1918
Trev.
Newark, New Jersey
Axel J. Watz, an employe of Tiffany & Co., at its local plant, who was found at the foot of a flight of stairs at his home at 72 Irving St., is dead. His face was badly cut and he had many bruises. His wife, Mary, was taken into custody.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th December 1918
Trev.