Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade

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GEORGE COOMBS

Waltham Watch Co.


Head of Waltham Watch Co.'s Factory Police Found Dead in His Home

Waltham. Mass., Dec. 6. – George Coombs, head of the Waltham Watch Co.'s factory police force, was found dead on the floor of his kitchen, at his home, 621 Crescent St., at noon today, with a bullet hole in his head and a revolver lying beside the body.

The police believe the gun was fired accidentally while Mr. Coombs was taking off his coat, as the garment was only partly removed. He had his pipe in his mouth, and apparently, while attempting to take off his coat, the gun fell out of the pocket and exploded.

Coombs' wife came home at 12:10 and as she entered the kitchen found her husband on the floor dead. She summoned two doctors, who, however, found the man beyond human aid.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 10th December 1919

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JOHN S. ALLEN

Providence, R.I.


John S. Allen Asphyxiated

Providence, R. I., April 26.–John S. Allen, a retired jeweler, was accidentally suffocated by illuminating gas at his home, 13 Bond St., yesterday morning. Since the death of his wife, last January, Mr. Allen had lived alone. He had not been in very good health of late, but arose as usual yesterday morning and prepared his breakfast, using a gas stove. He then sat down in a chair and went to sleep. A few hours later he was found by his niece, who lives not far away. He was dead. After using the gas stove he had not entirely shut off the gas.

Mr. Allen was 77 years old. He was well known in the jewelry trade 25 years ago. having been connected with several of the older concerns. He learned his trade with Sackett, Davis & Co.. and afterward worked with J. B. Mathewson & Co. and C. H. Cooke Co., successors of the latter firm. By careful industry he amassed a considerable competency, and a legacy from a relative some years ago enabled him to retire from business and live in comfort for the rest of his days. He left no immediate family. He was a member of the Veteran Firemen's Association.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 3rd May 1899

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HENRY WEBB

London


Mr. Henry Webb, a well-known gold watch-case maker, who nearly a quarter of a century ago had a seat at the Council of the Horological Institute, and was a zealous member of its Finance Committee, has just met with a violent death, having sustained fatal injuries through being run down by a newspaper cart. Mr. Webb, who had attained the age of seventy-six years, had for sometime been afflicted with deafness, which, of course, exposed him to especial danger in crossing crowded thoroughfares.

Source: The Horological Journal - December 1886


Henry Webb was registered with the London Assay Office. Following the above incident, his business was continued by Frederick Webb and Walter Webb.

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CHARLES FREDERICK JUNGE

Solidarity Watch Case Co.


Charles Frederick Junge, gold smelter employed by the Solidarity Watch Case Co., was killed several days ago at Ramsay, N. J., when the automobile which he was driving overturned. The car upset when Mr. Junge tried to turn the machine quickly to prevent a collision with another automobile. At the time of the accident he was visiting his parents, who have a farm at Ramsay, and when the car upset Mr. Junge was caught under it and instantly killed. The other occupants of the car were only slightly injured. Mr. Junge was born in Hoboken, but had lived in Brooklyn since his youth. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. G. Blaesi and burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery. Mr. Junge is survived by a widow, a son, his parents and three sisters.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th September 1917


The Solidarity Watch Case Co. of Brooklyn, New York, was established in 1885 and thought to have continued until the 1930's.

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BERNARD L. BRENHOLTS

McAllen, Texas


Bernard Brenholts Commits Suicide

New Orleans, La., Sept. 3.–Grief over the death of his wife about two months ago is believed to be the cause of Bernard L. Brenholts, jeweler, ending his life by shooting. Mr. Brenholts committed suicide in McAllen, Tex., Aug. 29, where he was in business. His body was brought to New Orleans for interment.

The trade in New Orleans was much shocked over the tragedy, as Mr. Brenholts was well known here. He learned his trade in the Leonard Krower & Son establishment and some years ago went into business in Houma, La., and later went to McAllen, Tex. He was a nephew of Leo Frank, a well-known jeweler of Jeanerette, La.

Mr. Brenholts was born in Fort Worth, Tex., and was 30 years of age.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th September 1920

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ALFRED WILLIAM STONE

Cheltenham


Alfred William Stone committed suicide at Cheltenham the other day. He was a watch and clock maker of that town, but for the last few months his business had been going very badly, and he became very depressed in spirits. On his little boy returning home from school, he found his father in the kitchen in a kneeling position, his throat cut with a table knife. The little boy ran for aid, but it was of no avail. The coroner returned a verdict of " suicide while in an unsound state of mind."

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st May 1891

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JOHNSTONE

Lawson and Co., Glasgow


Mr. Johnstone, a commercial traveller of the firm of Messrs. Lawson and Co., jewellers, Glasgow, was washed overboard from the Orkney mail boat, and drowned while the steamer was off Cantishead.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 2nd March 1891

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FRANK TURCHINSKY

St. Louis


FOUND NOT GUILTY

Jury Acquits Frank Turchinsky of Murder Charge on First Ballot

St. Louis. Mo.. Dec. 23.–The jury in the case of Frank Turchinsky was unanimous in its verdict of not guilty on the first ballot in the court of Circuit Judge Hogan, of this city, Dec. 16. Frank Turchinsky is a jeweler at 1419 Market St., who was charged with first degree murder in the shooting of Samuel Pomerantz and his wife on Aug. 21, 1921, at 1109 Morgan St. The jury was absent from the courtroom less than 30 minutes. An unusual scene of tearful rejoicing followed the reading of the verdict.

The whole affair was based on a money loaning charge and certain slanderous statements by the deceased man on the character of the defendant's wife. The trouble was to have been settled before the rabbi and the solemn Jewish oath of standing before "the black candles and swearing to tell the truth under the penalty of death.'' was agreed upon. Then Pomerantz refused to go before the rabbi and is said to have threatened to "settle our troubles here and now," after which he grabbed a butcher knife from a table and Turchinsky shot him. The shooting of Mrs. Pomerantz has never been quite clearly and satisfactorily solved.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th December 1922

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JOHN F. HUNTER

Seattle


JOHN F. HUNTER KILLED

Seattle Jeweler Dead as Result of an Automobile Accident

Seattle, Wash., Sept. 5.–John F. Hunter, 67, a jeweler, residing at 330 Twentyninth Ave., died a short time ago at Providence Hospital as the result of injuries sustained when he was struck by a runaway automobile on Columbia St., between First and Second Aves. Basal fracture of the skull and internal injuries caused his demise. A. D. Alexander, 59. a retired business man residing at 5647 Fourteenth Ave. N. E., who was also struck, is in the city hospital with severe cuts and bruises. Hospital authorities stated that he was progressing nicely and on the road to recovery.

Mr. Hunter was formerly a resident of Northfield, Minn., where several relatives still reside. His widow is the only surviving relative in the city. He came to Seattle in 1889 and six months later went to work for W. W. Houghton, a jeweler. Later he became a partner in the business, under the firm name of Houghton & Hunter.

According to Harry Houghton, son of Mr. Hunter's partner. Hunter's place of business in Northfield was riddled with bullets during one of the raids of Jesse James and his famous band of outlaws upon the town. His absence was all that saved him from death.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th September 1917

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WOLFE KAPLAN

Providence, R.I.


Wolfe Kaplan, Providence Business Man Shoots Himself, Following a Period of Nervous Trouble

Providence, R. I., Aug. 14.–Wolfe Kaplan, proprietor of the Weybosset Diamond Co. and of the Narrangansett Loan Co., 199 Weybosset St., committed suicide Thursday morning at his home, 136 Chester Ave., by shooting himself through the head. He had been suffering from nerve troubles following an attack of influenza about a year ago, and for the past three or four months had been in a condition bordering on collapse. He had been at home for the past fortnight, but had shown some improvement. During the temporary absence of his wife he left his bed, secured a revolver from a bureau drawer and shot and killed himself. Hearing the shot, members of the household rushed to his room, but life was extinct. Dr. William, H. Magill, medical examiner, pronounced death caused by a self-inflicted bullet wound. The funeral occurred the following morning. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Goldie Kaplan, his mother, two sisters and two brothers, Samuel and Israel Kaplan.

Mr. Kaplan, who was in his 38th year at the time of his death, was the son of Esther and the late Herman Kaplan. He was born in Russia but came to this country when he was a small boy and, after trying to start a business career in Boston, came to Providence and in January, 1909, formed a partnership with Charles Colitz and his brother, Samuel Kaplan, as the Narragansett Loan Co., and began business at 199 Weybosset St. A few months later the business established in 1903 by A. Colitz at 735 Westminster St. was purchased by Charles Colitz and Wolfe Kaplan and continued under the firm name of Colitz & Kaplan.

In January, 1911, the partnership was dissolved, Samuel Kaplan withdrawing. Wolfe Kaplan took the business at 199 Weybosset St., which he renamed the Weybosset Diamond Co., and also retained the Narragansett Loan Co., while Charles Colitz took over the business at 735 Westminster St, which he has since continued in his own name.

Mr. Kaplan was a member of the Temple Beth-El and also a member of Providence Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 18th August 1920

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JOSEPH WILLIAM DOWNING

Sheffield


Another citizen has lost, not only his money but his life, through acting up to a mistaken sense of duty. A silversmith, named Joseph William Downing, was going home one night when he saw some betting men fighting among themselves near a public house. Trying to stop it, he was himself knocked down and killed. Why some people should consider it a meritorious action to prevent two blackguards from pummelling each other to a jelly passes my comprehension. Even a policeman knows better than that, and judiciously keeps out of the way until each combatant has got his deserts. He then tells them to go home, which they generally do quietly enough. The eighteen months' hard labour which poor Downing's slayer has got will only benefit the general community temporarily–whereas, if the lot had been allowed to kill each other more lasting good would have accrued. Civilisation has its drawbacks, after all.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 2nd June 1890

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RICHARD HARROLL

Clerkenwell, London


An inquisition was taken on Thursday, the 8th of January, 1819, at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, before T. Shelton, Esq. Coroner for the City of London, on the body of a young man, named Richard Harroll, aged 21 years, who, in a fit of temporary delirium, brought on by the most abject poverty, attempted to put an end to his existence, by cutting his throat with a penknife; but not effecting his purpose, he cut it in two places with a razor.

Mr. Thomas Ringrose stated, that the deceased lived at the house of Mrs. Shackford, in Benjamin-street, Clerkenwell. He was a jeweller by trade; witness lived in the same house, and knew that the deceased had recently been much distressed for want of employ: in fact, some days he had not had food to eat. On Sunday last, about two o'clock in the day, witness heard a doleful groaning, and stifled cries; witness' son said, " Father, I think Mr. Harroll is dying." Witness went up to the deceased's bed-room door (he having kept his bed for four days previously), with a person named Dovey, who endeavoured to open it, but found it fastened on the inside. Dovey looked through the keyhole, and saw the deceased lying on the bed, with his throat and chin badly cut. He informed witness of the circumstance, and he broke open the door; upon approaching the bed, they found the deceased lying on his back, with the razor sticking in his throat, which the witness took out of the wound. Witness believed the blade of the knife was completely buried inside the deceased's throat when he saw it. A pen-knife, very bloody, lay on the bed, and there were cuts in the deceased's throat, which appeared to have been inflicted with the knife. Witness sent for a surgeon, who advised the deceased to be removed to St. Bartholomew's Hospital. The deceased was employed by a relation, some few months ago, and had purchased articles of furniture, &c. and intended to have been married; but his relation having heard of it, discharged him from his service, and since that time, he had been unable to get employ sufficient to enable him to subsist. For the week prior to his cutting his throat, he was deranged in his intellects, and witness was of opinion, the derangement was caused by his sufferings from poverty, and he ate nothing, but was supported by taking a little tea or gruel. The female to whom he was to have been married, came to see the deceased, on the morning that he cut his throat, and had taken leave of him only two or three minutes when he committed the act.

Mr. James Dovey corroborated the above evidence.

Mr. Charles West Wheeler, assistant to his father, the apothecary of St. Bartholomew's Hospital stated, that he had attended the deceased nearly every day since he was brought to the hospital. The wounds in his throat did not in the least hasten his death. Witness could not say what was the cause of the deceased's death; sometimes the deceased appeared to be deranged and like a maniac; at another time he appeared to be labouring under fever only. Witness could not say what was the complaint the deceased was afflicted with. He was satisfied the witnesses who said the blade of the razor was completely buried in the wound in the deceased's throat must have made a mistake. The deceased's throat was nearly well before he died. Witness thought his father could explain the treatment the deceased received better than he could.

Mr. Wheeler, senior, apothecary to the hospital, stated, that he attended the deceased almost daily; his symptoms were very changeable/ sometimes witness believed the deceased was a maniac, as he was
capable of speaking, but refused to answer a single question; sometimes his disorder appeared to be fever only, his pulse was then 130, and upwards, a minute. Witness administered such things as He thought proper. He died on Wednesday morning.

Source: The Monthly Gazette of Health for the Year 1819 - Richard Reece,M.D. - 1820

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GRIFFITHS

Llandudno, Wales


A sad accident occurred on Sunday at the watering-place of Llandudno. A jeweller, named Griffiths was taking a walk with a friend round the Ormeshead, when he dropped his stick, and on going in search of it fell down the rocks. A boat was taken to the place, and the body recovered dreadfully mangled.

Source: Western Mail - 22nd July 1869

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Dr. C.A. JARVIS

Brantford, Ontario


Dr. C. A. Jarvis, Brantford, Ont., a leading Canadian optometrist, died suddenly on Oct. 10 owing to a mistake in taking medicine for an attack of influenza. He took a dose of cyanide of potassium in place of another drug which proved almost immediately fatal. Dr. Jarvis was a former resident of Toronto and had graduated at New York and Philadelphia. He was a Scottish Rite Mason and active in Y.M.C.A. work.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 23rd October 1918

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MILTON A. LETENDRE

Fort Lauderdale


Missing Jeweler's Body Found In Sea

FORT LAUDERDALE (AP):- The Body of Milton A. Letendre, 46-year-old jewelry manufacturer missing since Monday, has been recovered from the ocean by a boating party.

Detective Lt. Robert W. Johnston said that an autopsy showed a bullet wound in the heart caused Letendre's death but it had not been determined if it was murder or suicide.

Mrs. Letendre said her husband left home Monday night to keep a business appointment. He had a quantity of jewelry with him when he left, she said. It has not been found, nor has a gun been found, Johnston reported.

Source: Lakeland Ledger - 15th January 1956

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JAMES BRADY

R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co., Wallingford


James Brady, who has been employed by the R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co., Wallingford, Conn., was hurt, recently, when an elevator fell on him. It is reported that while he was working on the bottom of the shaft the elevator came down and pinned him beneath the car.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 3rd November 1920

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FRANK J. BURNS

Marlboro, New York


Workmen excavating in a gravel bank to repair a State road between Royalston and Winchendon St., Athol, Oct. 26, uncovered the skeleton which is believed to be that of Frank J. Burns, a Marlboro jewelry salesman, who disappeared in 1903. Walter E. Smith of Athol was sentenced to I5 years in State prison in connection with the case, but was later paroled and died some time ago. The skull and bones were found about 30 feet from the road, and had been buried about 17 years, according to physicians. The robbery of Burns and his disappearance attracted wide attention throughout the State for two years, during which detectives and police sought to untangle the mystery. Burns, a well known salesman in this part of Massachusetts, was missing the night of Dec. 17, 1903, shortly after he had met Smith at the Athol fair grounds. Smith was arrested on a charge of larceny, and upon being searched was found to have in his possession three gold watches, 11 rings and a gold chain, all of which he admitted were in the cases in which Burns carried his stock of goods. Smith, however, maintained that he did not know what had become of Burns. At the trial Smith told conflicting stories and admitted he had told untruths to the State police. Judge Holmes, in giving the long sentence, said: "If Burns should hereafter appear there would be ample justification for application of pardon on the evidence. If Burns is not alive, it must be believed that the defendant is guilty of something more than is charged against him."

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 3rd November 1920

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CHARLES RAYMOND

Brooklyn


The police of Brooklyn are endeavoring to locate relatives of an old man known as Charles Raymond, who until two years ago conducted a jewelry store in that borough. One morning recently the body of the retired jeweler was found in a rooming house on Schermerhorn St. where it is claimed he committed suicide by inhaling gas.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 3rd November 1920

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LONG WUNDO

New York


Despondent because of financial troubles. Long Wundo, 40 years old, a Chinaman, committed suicide, last week, by jumping from the roof of the six-story tenement at 351 Eighth Ave. Long was a member of the firm of Long Sang Ti & Co., dealers in art curios at 307 Fifth Ave.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 6th May 1908

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THOMAS JONES

London


DETERMINED SUICIDE IN KENSINGTON GARDENS, LONDON

On Saturday last, Thomas Jones, a working silversmith, aged sixty, residing at Duke-street, St. James's, in a fit of despondency, from inability to obtain employment through weak sight, discharged a pistol into his stomach, near the ornamental water in Kensington-gardens. The unfortunate man expired almost immediately.

Source: The Belfast News-Letter - 16th October 1849

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