Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade

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CHARLES COOPER WRIGHT

Louisville, Kentucky


DEATH OF CHARLES C. WRIGHT

Prominent Jeweler Falls from Second Floor of His Home in Louisville and Fractures His Skull


Louisville, Ky., Nov. 10.—Charles Cooper Wright, prominent local retailing jeweler, operating a shop in the Tyler Hotel building, died about midnight last night from a fractured skull, resulting from a fall from the second floor of his home, in the Santana Apartments, 909 S. 1st St. Mr. Wright had been in poor health for some months, having suffered a nervous breakdown, which kept him from the store for weeks, and having another attack after returning. He recently returned from a trip to Martinsville, Ind., where he spent some weeks undergoing treatment. On the evening of his death he felt better and told his wife that he was going back to the store.

During the evening he started back through the house, took the wrong door, leading to the porch instead of the bathroom, and fell from the porch to a concrete pavement, a distance of 15 feet.

Mr. Wright for many years was a clerk for the old George Wolf store, which went out of business some years back. He then opened a store of his own. Mr. Wright was 45 years of age the previous Sunday. He married Miss Eva Basye, of Louisville, some years ago, and had no children. Last Winter he suffered from attacks of la grippe, which left him in a weak condition.

Mr. Wright is survived by his widow, and several brothers, including Ernest M. and Edwin T. Wright, Louisville; George O. Wright, Shelbyville; Rev. James R. Wright, Nashville; William H. Wright, Shelbyville; Frank R. Wright, Shelbyville, and Clarence L. Wright, Birmingham.

The business is incorporated, Mr. Wright being the president, general manager and principal stockholder.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 17th November 1920

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FRANK T. EAST

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


A FATAL ACCIDENT

Frank T. East, Pittsburgh, Pa., Dies From Injuries Caused by Being Hit by an Automobile


Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan. 28.—Frank T. East, treasurer of the Jewelers' 24-Karat Club of this city, died shortly before noon today, the result of being struck by an automobile at 7.30 o'clock this morning in front of his home, 630 Lincoln Ave., Bellevue, while on his way to work. The announcement of his sudden death was a great shock to his friends. President Samuel F. Sipe, of the Jewelers' 24-Karat Club, requested Secretary Frank Burger to represent the organization in expressing the condolences of its members.

Mr. East had just left his home and had started to run to catch an approaching street car, just across the street from his home. The sidewalk leading to the street was slippery, and he gained such momentum he could not stop. An automobile approaching toward Ben Avon and owned by R. L. Thompson, Jr., and going west, struck him before the driver of the machine could stop. Mr. East was struck with great force. He was carried to the office of Dr. J. S. Donaldson, close by, who sent him to the Suburban General Hospital in Bellevue as soon as an ambulance could be called. No hope was given his family for his recovery.

Bruised and bleeding the man was taken into the hospital, where it was found his injuries were of such a nature his life could not be spared, and he died at 11.30 A. M., about four hours after the accident. Mr. East had lived in Bellevue all of his life, being one of the oldest residents of the borough and the first white child born in that suburb upon its incorporation as a borough in 1867.

For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. East had been associated with the house of E. P. Roberts & Sons, but since that house went out of business he had maintained an engraving department of his own in the Keenan building. He had been the treasurer since its organization, of the Jewelers' 24-Karat Club, of which Steele F. Roberts, the founder, was the first president and Mr. East's employer at that time.

The deceased was prominent in Sunday-school work and was the district president of the Allegheny County Sunday School Association and had for 20 years been superintendent of the Sunday School of the Bellevue Methodist Protestant Church of which he was a member. He was also a member of Bellevue lodge of Masons, the Patriotic League and other organizations.

He was 52 years old and leaves his widow and a brother with whom he made his home.


Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan. 30.—Funeral services over the remains of the late Frank E. East were held at the family home in Bellevue and were attended by a number of acquaintances and jewelers.

Many floral tributes were sent to the house by admiring friends, including one from the Jewelers' 24-K Club.

The interment, which will be private, will take place at the convenience of the family.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th February 1920

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ALFRED PETTIT

Newark, New Jersey


Alfred Pettit, a Frenchman, of Newark, N. J., committed suicide last month by jumping off a railroad train. He had frequently made vain attempts to take his life, but each time was prevented. It is thought that the cause of his suicide was the intense regret and remorse which followed his occasional sprees.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - September 1888

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JOHN C. JAEGER

St. Louis


John C. Jaeger, a watchmaker at 2729 Lasalle St., was arrested last week and locked up for safe keeping. He had bought a pistol and hatchet for the purpose of killing his landlady, and when arrested, the revolver with every chamber loaded was found on him. In 1885 Jaeger spent five months in the Insane Asylum, and he will now be returned to that institution.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 8th June 1892

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J.M. NELSON

Mandan, North Dakota


JewelerJ. M. Nelson Accidentally Killed While Hunting

Mandan, N. Dak., Jan 11.—On Fort Rice reservation, Sunday evening, H. H. Harmon accidentally shot J. M. Nelson, a jeweler. The parties were hunting, and Harmon’s revolver was accidentally discharged. Mr. Nelson died shortly after. He leaves a wife and five children.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 18th January 1893

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GORHAM Mfg. Co.

Phillipsdale, East Providence, Rhode Island


Raymond McNally, employed as a Government inspector at the Gorham Mfg. Co.'s ammunition plant at Phillipsdale, East Providence, had three fingers on his right hand blown off in the testing room at the plant Monday afternoon. A detonation cap used in a hand grenade exploded. He was removed to the Memorial Hospital, Pawtucket, where the remains of the fingers and a part of the hand was amputated.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd October 1918

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MARCUS SCHENED

New Haven, Connecticut


Marcus Schened, a New Haven jeweler, killed himself. "Grip" and financial embarrassment.

Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 13th June 1891

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JASON B. STONE

Providence, Rhode Island


Suicide of a One-Time Providence Jewelry Manufacturer

Providence, R. I., Nov. 19.—Jason B. Stone, for several years chairman of the Board of Canvassers and Registration in this city, and often called the “father” of that important part of the city government, committed suicide Friday in Butler Hospital for the Insane. Mr. Stone was formerly a member of J. B. Stone & Co., manufacturers of plated goods, 227 Eddy St. The loss by death of an only daughter a few years ago caused such grief as to unbalance his mind, and it became necessary for his family to place him in a private sanitarium.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 23rd November 1898

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JOHN LOWER BRUEN

Manhattan, New York


CIGAR CUTTER CAUSED DEATH

John Lower Bruen, 40 years old, a retired silversmith, living at 2315 Seventh avenue, Manhattan, died at his home on Friday and an autopsy by Coroner's Physician O'Hanlon yesterday developed the fact that his death is directly traceable to a small cut which he received on February 26, while clipping the end from a cigar. A few days later he was taken ill, and abscesses formed all over his body. After lingering for two weeks he died.


Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 19th March 1905

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CHARLES WOOD

New York


Mr. Charles Wood, a wealthy silverware manufacturer, of the firm of Wood & Hughes, of No. 16 John Street, New York, jumped from a window of his residence, No. 158 East Sixty-first street, yesterday morning, and received injuries from which he died almost instantly. Mr. Wood was 64 years old and had been ill for a year. Since July he has been afflicted with mental trouble. Maggie Walsh, a servant girl in the same house, committed suicide in the same way last March. She jumped from a fifth story window and died almost instantly. Since then Mr. Wood has dwelt much upon the subject. Without warning yesterday morning he jumped from the second story window and fractured his skull and was injured internally. Mr. Wood was one of the best known makers of silverware in New York and had been in business for twenty years.

Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 17th December 1883

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GEORGE WYATT

West Lynn, Massachusetts


Bad Business and Religion Unbalance George Wyatt’s Mind

Lynn, Mass., May 23.—George Wyatt, a prominent young jeweler of West Lynn, went insane Monday over business troubles and religion. He is locked up in the Central Police Station, and will probably be taken to the asylum at Danvers.

Wyatt is 35 years old and married. He came from New York in February, and bought out the establishment of George Quaid, the largest jeweler in West Lynn, but the business did not pay as well as he expected and recently undue enthusiasm in religious matters, together with worry over the unsatisfactory condition of business, unbalanced his mind.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 29th May 1895

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WILLIAM TOOTLEMAN

Bronx, New York


Jeweler's Suicide Frees 2 Accused Of Extortion Plot

He Plunges to Death After Telling Police Pair Demanded $1,000


Two men, held on a complaint of extortion made by a Bronx jeweler, were free today as a result of the jeweler's suicide.

The jeweler, William Tootleman, 30, whose shop is at 1039 E. 163d St., notified police yesterday that the pair had tried to extort $1,000 after he had agreed to buy some gems from them.

He told police that he offered to buy the gems for $1,700 when the men showed them to him Monday night. They returned yesterday morning and demanded $1,000 after flashing a badge which the jeweler could not see clearly. The two men, returning at 6 pm. yesterday were arrested.

At 10.30 pm. Tootleman jumped to his death from the roof of an apartment house at 926 Southern Boulevard, the Bronx. The men, whose names were withheld by police, were freed in the absence of a complaint.


Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 30th April 1941

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EMIDIO GALANDE

Sag Harbor, Long Island


KILLED BY LIVE WIRE

Sag Harbor, L.I., September 29 - Coroner M.B. Lewis held an inquest into the death of Emidio Galande, 29 years old, at the Municipal Building Saturday afternoon. It was established that Galande attempted to pick up a fallen electric light wire in front of his home at Spring st. and received a current of 2,300 volts. He was burned about the hands, but his body showed no disfigurement. A broken cross-arm, a transformer and the fatal wire were marked as exhibits. The cross-arm had rotted away, permitting the high voltage cable to fall to the sidewalk.

Galande leaves a widow and four children, the oldest 6, the youngest 2 years old. Galande's body was taken to Greenport for burial today, after a funeral mass was said in St. Andrew's Church, Sag Harbor. Galande was an operative of the Fahys watchcase factory.


Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 29th September 1919

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JEREMIAH LOTT

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York


Bay Ridge Man, Who Shot Himself, Died Saturday and Is Buried This Afternoon

The funeral of Jeremiah Lott, the prominent Bay Ridge man, who accidentally shot himself last Tuesday and who died Saturday afternoon, took place this afternoon from his late residence, 245, Eighty-first street. Representatives of the Crescent Club, the Ridge Club, New Utrecht Council, Royal Arcanum; Bay Ridge Lodge, F. and A.M., and the Bay Ridge Reformed Church attended. The services were conducted by the pastor of that Church, the Rev. Frederick Young. Masonic services were also held. The internment was private at Greenwood.

Mr. Lott was one of the oldest residents of the Bay Ridge section. He was born at the famous Lott homestead fifty-six years ago. The house was the principal one in the township of New Utrecht, as the section at Eighteenth avenue and Sixty-fourth street was then called. Twenty years ago he became a member of the firm of Lott & Schmidt, silversmiths, with an office at 116 Walker street. He is survived by a widow, Rebecca B., and a son, Daniel Van Brunt Lott.


Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 27th December 1910

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NATALIE LO BIANCO

Philadelphia


Rich Italian Jeweler, of Philadelphia, Drowns in Attempt to Save Friends

Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 14.—On the anniversary of his marriage Natalie Lo Bianco, a jeweler, 25 years of age, of 1026 Chestnut St., and prominent among the Italians of this city, was drowned in DarIey Creek at Prospect Park, last Tuesday evening, while going to the aid of two friends in a motor-boat. The funeral was held, Saturday, from his late residence, 806 S. 8th St.

Mr. Lo Bianco was in a skiff which he had taken from a boathouse of his father, Antonio Lo Bianco, for the purpose of reaching a naptha launch containing Anthony Kirstche and Henry Weber, of 1026 Paschall Ave., who had raised a signal of distress. On reaching within several yards of the large craft the Italian stood up in the skiff and attempted to throw a rope to the occupants. In doing so he lost his balance and fell into the stream. Unable to swim, Lo Bianco was struggling in the water when Weber jumped overboard and swam to his rescue.

The drowning man grabbed Weber around the neck and held on with a death-like grip. Both men sunk and it seemed for a time that both would be drowned.

In the meantime Kirstche had managed to bring the motor-boat to the scene, and as Weber rose to the surface he grabbed him and pulled him on board. Another attempt was made by the two men to save Lo Bianco, who also came to the surface, but he sank before they could reach him.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 18th August 1909

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WILLIAM E. KURZ

London


William E. Kurz, 52 years of age, a watchmaker and jeweler of Wimbledon, southwest London, and Regent St., W., has been taxed into suicide according to the Westminster coroner. Kurz drew his last few shillings from the bank and left a letter of farewell to his wife suggesting that the pawn tickets be given to the children so that they could pay the interest and redeem the jewelry if they cared to. The coroner said the pawn tickets related to valuable diamond rings which had been pledged by the jeweler whose business suffered as a result of the high taxation.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 24th May 1922

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SAMUEL SCHLESINGER

New York


A shocking accident resulting in the death of Samuel Schlesinger, a 15-year-old boy employed by Sol. Lindenborn, occurred in the Diamond Exchange building, 14, Maiden Lane, New York, shortly after 8 o’clock, Wednesday morning. At the time of the accident the elevator tender, William H. Cooley, who also does janitor’s work, was dusting and sweeping the top floor. Schlesinger was assisting Henry Solomon, another employe of Mr. Lindenborn, by carrying sample cases, and as the elevator was unattended one of them jumped in and brought it up to the floor on which Mr. Lindenborn’s office is situated. Schlesinger and Solomon then put the sample cases on the elevator and lowered it to the ground floor.

After the cases had been taken off and Solomon had stepped out, the elevator began to ascend. Schlesinger then became frightened and attempted to jump out, but in doing so was caught between the upper casing of the metal door and the floor of the elevator and horribly crushed. The elevator then came to a standstill, and after some minutes the boy was released. He was then unconscious and dying. At the Hudson St. Hospital, where Schlesinger was taken, he breathed his last an hour later.

The unlucky boy was the son of a Brooklyn jeweler and his home was at 367 Van Brunt St., Brooklyn. The elevator of the Diamond Exchange building is a narrow affair peculiarly constructed, with doors on both sides. Owing to this and the loose manner in which it has been run an accident of some kind has been long predicted by many people who frequent the building.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 18th March 1896

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STILLMAN Y. CROSBY

Attleboro, Massachusetts


Stillman Y. Crosby, who attempted suicide, June 2d, is alive and will undoubtedly recover, although there are two good sized holes in his head.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 13th June 1894

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MERRITT MERWIN

New Milford, Connecticut


Merritt Merwin, treasurer of the newly formed Bennett-Merwin Silver Co. of New Milford, Conn., recently lost his life in a singular manner. His necktie became caught in a revolving shaft and choked him to death.

Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - January 1913

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JOHN M. GANZER

Evansville, Indiana


John M. Ganzer, a jeweler of Evansville, Ind., is suffering from blood poisoning caused by pricking his finger with a wire, with which he had pierced a giant tarantula, which he had on display in the show window in his store.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st September 1909

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