New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-11
DEAD At THE BRINK or THE FAILS.
A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY AT NIAGAEA-v R. PEAR
son KILLED AND THOMAS VEDDER MISSING.
10y TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUyE.I


son KILLED AND THOMAS vEDDER MISSING.
!BY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.I
BUFFALO, April 10.-Ihe most horrible
tragedy that happened at Niagara Falls took place
last night v R. Pearson, who had been cashier in the
employ OF the NewYork Central Railroad Company for
twenty-five years and Thomas Vedder his brotherin-
Law came to their deaths In fighfU manner on Goat
Island The affair was not generally known until this
morning Mr. Pearson had OF late been affected with a
form of insanity he started out for ride about o'clock
last evening with Thomas Vedder. one OF the most re
spected in community. Mr.. Yedder said that he
would return at 500 O'Clock for supper No tidngs were
heard at IL o'clock and search was started.
The gates of Goat Island opened
and the horse and buggy found standing
naar the top OF the stairs eadin Luna Island search
on that island continued and the body OF Mr. Pearson
was found bleak. icy promontory with bulethoe
just behind tho right Near by the body the search
ers found Vedders overcoat undercO2t waiseoast and
scarf piled mp with his bat top OF them. Many heo-
res advanced regarding the terrible event but until
Mir Vedder's body is found nothing definite VIII be
known.
That the murder not committed by outside parties
would seem certain the fact that the clothes Of
Mr vedder found So. Mr. Pearson's watch and
effects were also found him. II is assumed that
Mr. yedder jumped over the falls after Pearson
was shot No revolver was found, and the tragedy
Il mystery Pearson had Of late years been addicted TO
drinking which npalY unsettled his mind. He leaves
widow and four children. Mr.. yedder a OF
emperament. He was bachelor and a partner
with mis- brother In large wholesale and retail grocery
business al the Falls The body OF Pearson removed
20 Clark's undertaking rooms where coroners jnry
viewed II and adjourned until tomorrow, wnen an In
Quest will be held An examination by DR. Long, OF Sus
pension Bridge and DR. Hswes OF Niagara Falls resulted
IN discovery that ball entered the right side OF the
neck coming the left side OF the chin, and that
another ball went from the left cheek directly below the
eve through to the right ear.
There evidence OF a struggle. small pool of
blood under PesrsOns head. The horse when fousd
eosied with frozen spray The exact locality where
the body found the main T1ver side OF Luna
island aud about forty feet from the brink Of the fails and
Ten edge OF the water. Many stories
aOst concerning the tragedy II IL said by
that Psaren did HOt want 10 e. riding with Vedde but
the latter cOaxed until he assented There ere foot
prints in the snow, II had walked right of the
brink Into tie cataract itself and return footprints
are visible The steps nearly oblteraea Crowds OF
people visited of the tragedy this afternoon ana
toofed where Pesrsons body wac found and at
the trail blood the stairs leading up TO Goat islanI
MANY fashiOnably dressed LADIES' From the POSI-
ton Ia Aieh PesrsOns body found and the express
sion of the face death must have been instantaneous
Goat Island is desoate and Lena Island Ia covered with
fee and snow. spectator said: "Tbose men did Dot
come here for amusement. I believe that Vedder IN.
tended 10 Kill his brothernlaw. Pearson was suspended
or discharged from place cashier three weeks
but his relatives had him relnstated he had not yet got
aak IN