New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-04
TRAGEDY IN CENTRAL PARK.
A MAN AND A WOMAN KILL THEMSELVES
FOUND DYING UNDER TREE MAR THE PILGRIM

ANSNp DtiNE UNDER TREE NfAR The PILGRIM
sTATUE-LET1Egs EXPLAINING THE ACTS.
The loud report of a pistol startled Park
Policeman William Duggan at $50 o'clock last night as
he was walking past the statue OF the Pilgrim in Central
Park. He barely had timc to look In the direction
whence the sound came when there was
second report and he fash
under tree about twenty-five feet north Of
the statue and fifty of tho walk lie started to
run toward the place, and his steps were haseuod by
another shot When he was within O dozen
feet Of the tree he fourth
fash and heard another report. In
another instant Duggan was at tho tree and In the
gloom he saw man and woman lying the ground.
Both were dying. Duggan shouted for assistance and
extinguished flames which had been started the
shirt bosom by the final shot. When other officers Joined
him they found two corpscs.
The dead woman was of middle ago and comely. She
was stout with fair complexion and blue eyes, and
black OF stuff with silk cape about her
shoulders The not more than twenty years o;
age, short and slender, with beardless
face and dark-brown hair. He, also, was
dressed in black clothes. Each wore
o black glove the left hand and q red rose on tho
breast lock of the mans hair lay beside the womaas
rose, and on his breast whered leaf IL evil
dent that the mans land had the death both.
He had fired two shots into bcT heart aud
had shot himself twice in tho breast That
the had been a willing participant In
her breast to receive the shots The bodies lay
lap robe which had been spread under the tree. Be-
tween tEem were British bulldog revolver OF large
cabre aud paper colar-box. In the box were about
dozen letters in envelopes addressed to
various persons, including two "for the
Coroner OF New-YOrk"; one for " DR.. Carl seidhof
town Of Union N j." and one for Frederick p. Moen
hauer, 80 summtave., Jersey City Heights" Other
velopos marked MY last word,' Farewell to tho
world" and ITO my dearest George" The writ
ing IN the German language. On
scrap OF paper was tho address OF tho
dead man. George Bessendorf, No. 10 Lbertyst. Town
OF Union, NJ j." There was also the following Dote
written card OF Z. l. Koch OF the NeTJersey Freie
IreSse at No. 4s9 Pavonia-ave, Jersey City Heights
JERSEY CITY, Aug. 25, 1885.
This is to certify that George Bessendorf native Of
Bavaria has regularly learned the composing art IN
printing Office and is able for newspaper type set
ting to perform In witness whereof have hereunto set
EDMUND KOCH
The bodies were carried a stretcher to the Arsenal
whence they removed TO the MUryue. Captain
Beattie of the Park Police searched the letters
in vain for the dead wonan's address.
She had signed only the Maria"
letter children in which she declared that she
was going to add to the number OF the dead.
Amid the OF sentimental poetry. "Ans Theure,
Herr" and similar effusions this letter. "Maria
only % S0 TSpd S1 yet SOLVING to yO4 my THIS sesn
Shall we die = have already made my answer.
take ms s hee
Is still the question, either -; or: sweet,
s y dear %sse' ss'Pf' wa" IL
%aisSy 5o Ssss Your wsns, TIC 50 DEATH Your
Another letter headed Directions" said " In the
matter eventual settlement OF tue estate OF my de-
parted soeer in America i is for my father IN
G AND &sRS'' This ave ar9a, ens
trusted to the rrm OF Gustav George Wolfram
power OF attorney act in other matters. My father
Will nav the costs GEORGE BEssESDoRF.
p Sin the schedule OF my effects strike pair
gold earrings and ring OF garnet ana pearls contained
There was also sort Of mailed note on the question
"shail die Z" on which Bessendor had written his
In another, signed by both. they say: "we look
snohcrs eyes without shame, for there has
The letter 10 the Coroner they may be buried
together In letter directed to My Dear Children,
Care of Fred. f. Molenhauer, No.. 80 sum.
mit.ave Jersey City" Maria says: Though you yes
young and inexperienced, you know what your mother
has had to endure lately You especially my dear
the grave She goes with the assurance tbat you ara
getting into good hands. Do not emulate
given him the gift of bringing up children"
To Moenhauer she writes: 81 have had
sDrace AS fearful Of dcmon Before M I've bad
been I'm the house long | learned Ia
know him a cultivated man, in whom could conhde
throughout ali the letters there was immense
amount of "gush on bOth sides about loving
III eternity etc; Everything earthly being
their pure unspotted love TO carry into eternity and
that no one could take from them.
reference to a traveng-bag left with q
DR. Pedho there is also long letter To the doctor
which OF some private quarrel between the TWO
careful search through great number OF the let
II possible To look over faled 10 reNea 'no
full name OF the woman
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