Some Macabre Stories of the Silver Trade

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SANFORD L. WOOD

Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts


Sanford L. Wood, the young Attleboro Falls jeweler who was arrested in September on a charge of attempting to poison his wife, was indicted Tuesday last by the Grand Jury at Taunton.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 22nd November 1893

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WILLIAM HARRIS

New York


William Harris, western salesman for Geo. O. Street & Sons, 15 John St., stepped into an open elevator shaft in the Bates House, Indianapolis, Ind., on Tuesday evening Nov. 14th and was seriously injured. He fell to the basement, a distance of fourteen feet where he struck the cement and lay unconscious. He was immediately carried to his room. Dr. E. F. Hodges, who is attending him reports that Mr. Harris’ collar bone and ribs are broken and that he is also hurt about the head; but he expects that the injured man will be able to leave the hotel in about three weeks. George A. Street, of Geo. O. Street & Sons, has gone to Indianapolis. He will finish Mr. Harris’ trip.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 22nd November 1893

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J. AUGUSTUS ROBBINS

Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts


J. Augustus Robbins Killed in an Avalanche

Springfield, Mass., Aug. 1.—J. Augustus Robbins, for years a prominent jeweler in this city and Boston, was killed by the fall of an avalanche at Grindilwald, Switzerland, last Friday. Mr. Robbins was making a tour of Europe in a party with his sister and nephew when the accident occurred.
Mr. Robbins was born at Calais, Me., about fifty years ago and has been a resident of this city since 1874. Previous to his residence here he lived in Boston, where for years he was connected with Bigelow, Kennard & Co. Coming to this city he bought a jewelry store and ran it until five years ago, when he sold out. He then went into the firm of O. W. Bullock & Co., manufacturers of jewelers’ tools, and has since been connected with the company He was unmarried and leaves two brothers and a sister.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 3rd August 1892

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GUSTAV ASPLUND

New York


Gustav Asplund, fifty years of age, a watchmaker in the employ of George Joyce, 32 Fulton St., committed suicide in the store Monday morning by shooting himself through the head and breast. He had been in Mr. Joyce’s employ over twenty years, and it is thought his mind became unbalanced owing to the heat. Mr. Joyce found the body when he opened the store, lying on the floor.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 3rd August 1892

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JOHN W. MILES

New York


A fire occurred Wednesday at 415, W. 57th St., the home of John W. Miles, manager of the Meriden Britannia Co.'s New York office. Mr. Miles was badly burnt and his daughter, Miss Natalie Miles, received injuries which necessitated her removal to a hospital, where she died several hours later.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st January 1900

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ROE BECKET

Mount Carmel, Kentucky


Roe Becket, Mt. Carmel, Ky., Jeweler, Believed to Have Committed Suicide

Louisville, Ky., Nov. 15.—It is reported that Roe Becket, Mount Carmel, Fleming County, Ky., committed suicide on Nov. 13 by taking carbolic acid. He was found in his room unconscious about 10 p. m., and though physicians were summoned he was then beyond medical aid and died an hour later. It is thought that his mind became unbalanced over suits against him regarding land in which he was interested.

Mr. Becket had been in business in Mount Carmel for a number of years, and was well known. He formerly was in business in Maysville, Ky., but had resided in Mount Carmel all his life.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd November 1911

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HENRY C. REITZ

Newark, New Jersey


Henry C. Reitz, 46 years old, 482 Springfield Ave., a jeweler who came to this city from Bridgeport, Conn., about three months ago, last week tried to commit suicide at his home by drinking cyanide of potassium. He first made arrangements with an undertaker near his home to take charge of the funeral. He was taken to the city hospital, where it is thought that he will recover. Mr. Reitz had been out of work for several weeks and had become despondent over his inability to find employment.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd November 1911

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JOHN SOUSA

Providence, Rhode Island


The fingers of both hands of John Sousa were crushed when caught in a power press at which he was working in the jewelry findings shop of D. M. Watkins Co. on Thursday. He was taken to the Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 13th August 1919

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FREDERICK BOLEN

Philadelphia


Frederick Bolen, 15 years old, of 6547 Torresdale Ave., who was drowned while bathing in the Delaware River on June 23, was employed by R. L. Saunders, of 11 and 13 S. 8th St.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 29th June 1921

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GEORGE D. PARSONS

Bradley Hills, Maryland


DIES FROM INJURIES

Funeral Services for George D. Parsons, Expert Watchmaker, Held in Washington, D. C.

Washington, D. C., Nov. 14.—Funeral services for George D. Parsons, 73 years old, of Bradley Hills, Md., who was knocked down by a bicycle at 10th and K Sts., Tuesday morning, and so seriously injured that he died shortly after reaching Emergency Hospital, were conducted in the chapel at Hines’ undertaking establishment. William Campbell, former reader of First Church, Scientist, officiated, and interment was in Glenwood Cemetery.

Mr. Parsons, a native of Pittsfield, Mass., had been a resident of this city for the past 15 years. He was the first president of the American Horological Society and was president of the Watchmakers’ Institute, in Chicago, and served as president of Bradley Hills Community League.

The deceased is survived by his widow, Mrs. Lulu C. Parsons, two sons and a daughter. One of the sons, Herbert C. Parsons, is a resident of Phoenix, Ariz., while Donald S. Parsons, the other son, resides at 1448 Park Road. Mrs. Charles S. Baum, the daughter, resides at 1833 California St.

Mr. Parsons was well known in the trade in the east and the middle west and he had made many friends in the Elgin, Waltham and Howard watch factories.

Donald S. Parsons, his son, having been brought up at the watchmakers’ bench under his direction, will continue the business at 1307 H St. N. W.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st November 1923

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FLEURY CAMAL STAEHLY

Providence, Rhode Island



TAKES HIS OWN LIFE

Providence Man Commits Suicide at His Home in that City

Providence, R. I., June 28.—Fleury C. Staehly, head of the firm of Staehly & Son, engine turners, 191 Pine St., committed suicide by shooting himself in the bedroom of his home, 78 Olney St., early Monday morning. He was 59 years old and despondency is believed to be responsible for the act. His funeral was held Wednesday afternoon and burial was at the North Burial Ground.

Mrs. Staehly and her son, Fleury, Jr., had heard the shot while they were eating breakfast in an adjoining room, but at the time had paid no attention to it, believing it to be an automobile motor backfiring, and it was about an hour later when Mrs. Staehly found the body. She informed her son and then notified the authorities, who, after an investigation, declared death due to suicide, Besides his wife and son, Mr. Stachly is survived by a daughter, 11 years of age.

Fleury Camal Staehly was born in Switzerland, Feb. 7, 1865, the son of Fleury and Lena Staehly, and after attending school learned the trade of an engine turner and for several years conducted an engine-turning business at Enne. Nearly 20 years ago he removed with his family to this country to accept a position as foreman of the engine- turning department of the Star Watch Case Co. at Ludington, Mich., where he removed about three years.

About 12 years ago he removed to Providence and established himself in the same business, and when this line of finishing jewelry and metal ornaments returned to popularity, Mr. Staehly, in the Fall of 1921, took his only son, who had learned the trade with him, into partnership, the firm name becoming Staehly & Son, and larger quarters were taken at 191 Pine St. The business will be continued by the son. Mr. Staehily was a member of James Wood Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of several Swiss fraternal and patriotic associations.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd July 1924

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ROBERT WESTWOOD

London


MURDER AND ARSON IN PRINCES STREET

About twelve o'clock on Monday night the inhabitants of Princes street, Leicester square, were thrown into a state of alarm, in consequence of loud screams of ''Fire,'' which proceeded from the house of Mr Robert Westwood, a watch and clockmaker, of No. 35 in the above street; the utmost consternation, however, prevailed, when it was discovered that Mr Westwood had been most brutally murdered. It appears that some years since the house oi Mr Westwood was entered, and property to a considerable amount stolen, and for which offence a person was subsequently executed at the Old Bailey. Since that period Mr Westwood has slept down stairs, in a room at the back of the shop; but Mrs Westwood, lately, in consequence of indisposition, has occupied a separate sleeping-room up stairs. On Monday night, about eleven o'clock Mrs Westwood retired to bed leaving the deceased in the parlour; about which time M. Gerard, a French gentleman, who occupied apartments in the house, returned home, and was let in by the female servant. Some time after she was in bed, Mrs Westwood fancied she heard a sort of scuffling in the passage. In a minute afterwards she heard a loud groaning and the street door slam to. Mrs Westwood called the servant, who ran down stairs, and, on entering the parlour, was almost suffocated by a dense smoke. She then proceeded to the street door, when, the alarm being given, several engines shortly arrived. The bed on which Mr Westwood usually slept was discovered to be on fire, and the deceased himself lying on the floor, partly enveloped in the flames. It was discovered that his throat was most dreadfully cut in two or three places. The fire was speedily extinguished, and Mr Smith, surgeon, of Dean street, was sent for, who pronounced that, from the nature of the wounds received by deceased, death must have been almost instantaneous. A most severe contused wound was discovered on the right temple over the eye, evidently inflicted with some heavy blunt instrument. On the left side of the throat was a dreadful gash, extending from about the centre of the back of the neck to nearly the middle of the throat, and was about two inches in depth, and which must have divided the whole of the principal arteries. Immediately above this was another gash, extending from under the left ear completely across the face to within about half an inch of the mouth. These wounds were evidently inflicted by some sharp instrument. Superintendent Baker and Inspector Jervis, of the C division, discovered in the passage an iron window-weight, measuring in length about twelve or fourteen inches, and weighing between five and six pounds. A few hairs were discovered on one of its ends. This instrument must have been taken into the house by the murderer, as no person in the house had ever seen it before. On further examination, a white-handled table knife was found in a drawer in a sideboard in the parlour, the blade of which was much stained with blood, and which bore evident marks of having been wiped.

The inquest on the body was commenced on Tuesday. Mr Smith, surgeon, of Dean street, Soho, spoke to the wounds receive by deceased : he considered that an instrument like that found by the policeman would inflict such wounds. The cuts in the throat were, he considered, made with a knife.—Maria Pretty: Had lived as servant in the employment of the deceased during the last two months, and considered that he was about fifty-two years of age. She let in an old lodger, named Gerard, who had lodged with her master about ten years, at about ten o’clock, and he went to bed. She then locked and bolted the street door, and put the chain up, as Mr Westwood said he was anxious to retire. His wife, who was ill, and between 70 and 80 years of age, lay on the first floor. Her master usually sat reading until a late hour. Witness went to bed in an upper room at about ten minutes past eleven o'clock. The inquest was then adjourned until Wednesday.

Source: The Examiner - 9th June 1839

See: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=32464&p=136886&hilit=westwood#p136886

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WILLIAM LANDRY

Plainville, Massachusetts


William Landry, Franklin, had part of two fingers taken off under a press at the factory of the Whiting & Davis Co. on Saturday.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th October 1910

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JOHN ZAKAREDICZ

Shenandoah, Pennsylvania


Jeweler Murdered

Dispute Over Clock Repairs Ends When John Zakaredicz, Shenandoah , Pa ., Is Struck Fatal Blow

PHILADELPHIA , Nov. 9. — John Zakaredicz, jeweler, of Shenandoah, Pa. , was a victim of a fatal blow during a quarrel in a home at which he was visiting when a dispute arose over repairs to a clock. He was struck over the head with a milk bottle and died soon after.

Mrs. Rose Maczunis, at whose home he was visiting, Victor Razincki and George Yanusewiski are under arrest.

Mr. Zakaredicz is said to have been a jeweler of note in Poland, his native country, before he came to Pennsylvania.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 14th November 1929

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SAMUEL E. GREENWOOD

Cleveland, Ohio


Samuel E. Greenwood, Cleveland Jeweler, Dies After Shooting Himself in the Head

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Nov. 18.—Samuel E. Greenwood, retail jeweler, 51 Superior Arcade, committed suicide last Monday by shooting himself in the head. He was 36 years of age and the reason for his act is attributed to ill health. He had been a sufferer from hernia for the past seven years but no one had any inkling of his intention to take his life .

Mr. Greenwood had been attending to business every day and the watchman of the building found his body in the rear room of the store with a revolver nearby.

The business is a corporation and is known as Greenwoods, Inc., of which Mr. Greenwood was president Deceased started in business in 1922 as a member of the firm of Foster & Greenwood. In 1926 Mr. Foster retired and Mr. Greenwood continued. He was well known in local trade circles and his passing was a shock to his many friends.

He leaves a widow and two sons.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st November 1929

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LESTER FELDSTEIN

Chicago


Chicago Manufacturing Jeweler Commits Suicide After Hearing of Brother's Arrest

CHICAGO, Nov. 30 — Five minutes after he had been notified that his brother was in jail on a charge of pawning diamonds obtained on credit, Lester Feldstein , 28 years old, a manufacturing jeweler, committed suicide yesterday afternoon by shooting himself in the workroom of his shop on the 10th floor at 7 W. Madison St.

Milton was arrested at 5 o'clock yesterday in the Pittsfield building by Sergt. William Knowles, Thomas Alcock and " Matt" Quilter on a charge of pawning approximately $15,000 in diamonds which, it is said, he had obtained from diamond merchants on memorandum for his firm , Leo Feldstein & Sons. He admitted pawning the jewels to obtain money to pay other debts, according to the police.

On his arrival at the detective bureau Milton asked permission to call his brother at the jewelry shop, and told him of his troubles.

Five minutes later the detective bureau received a report that there had been a shooting in Room 1001 at 7 W. Madison St. A detective squad hurried there and found Lester lying on the floor of the workroom with a bullet wound in his right temple. Beside his body was a revolver.

Leo Feldstein had conducted the jewelry business for more than 40 years and upon his death Mrs. Feldstein continued it before turning it over to her two sons.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th December 1929

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ALFRED E. CARRIER

Chicago


Funeral services for Alfred E. Carrier were held on Friday at the Scottish Rite Cathedral under the auspices of Apollo Commandery No. 1 , Knights Templar. Interment was at Rosehill. Mr. Carrier, who for the past 10 years was employed as a silverware engraver for Mandel Bros., hurled himself from the 11th floor of the department store to the street. He was killed instantly. His body was taken to the chapel at 1253 N. Clark St. , and remained there until noon, Friday. Mr. Carrier had been in ill health for more than two years. He is survived by his widow, Bridget O'Neill Carrier, and two sons, Alfred C. and Edward J.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th December 1929

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RICHARD HENRY HOHMANN

Perth Amboy, New Jersey


Richard Henry Hohmann, jewelry designer and church worker, was killed Dec. 6 in an automobile accident in Perth Amboy. The car in which he was driving collided with the rear of a truck . Mr. Hohmann died shortly after. He was 25 years of age.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th December 1929

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HENRI ELIASCHEFF

London


A jeweler trading under the name of Henri Eliaschaff was found dead in his office off Regent St. this week. The police, upon being called to the premises, found escaping gas. It is believed the jeweler was overcome by the fumes.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th December 1929

Henri Eliascheff died on the 13th November 1929, He was aged 42 years. He registered his marks with the London Assay Office.

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F.P. FISKE

Epping, New Hampshire


Word was received in this city last week of the death of F. P. Fiske, of Epping, N. H., who succumbed to injuries received through a fall from his motor bicycle. He was well known to the Boston trade, and his sad passing has caused a pang of regret. His widow and a daughter will continue the jewelry business.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th September 1920

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