New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-30
SUICIDE IN THE PULPIT.
A MINISTER SHOOTS HIMSELF IN CHURCH.

SAD END To THE LIFE OF THE REV. EDGAR L
HEERMANcE OF WHITE PLAINS NO cAUsn
GIvFN.
The Rev. Edgar l. Heermancc, formerly pastor
Of the Presbyterian Church Broadway In the
village Of White Plains, snot himself while In
the pulpit OF the church n. 80 D. M. yesterday.
Afr. H6efmance's resignation was asked for some
months ago in conseq qdence of the dissatisfaction
arising between himself and the church members
over his salary lie made repeated demands for
an increase, all Of which were ignored He was
for sixteen years the pastor Of one Of the richest
congregations in that section. IL is reported
that he was largely interested in the dry goods
business and some three years ago lost about
5000. He lived in and owned one OF the
finest houses Broadway His wife is the
daughter of ex-President Woolsey, Of Yale Uni
versty Mr. Heermsnce's family stood high in
the social circles OF White Plains, and his fnan.
cial standing was unquestioned.
At the time of his suicide he was sitting
within the chancel in conversation with the gray
haired sexton, John BalSely, and was perfectly
rational. The sexton left him for moment TO
get pitcher of water He had hardly closed
the church door when he was startled by the
report Of pistol, and rushing back into tho
church, ne found the astor stretched prone up
on the floor of the pulpit and bleeding profusey
from bullet hole in his right temple. Close
beside him, on the carpet, lay smoking revolver
The sexton hurriedly summoned assistance and
the unconscious minister was placed ON q stretcher
and was borne down the long aisle and into the
streets. The solemn procession then slowly
passed up Broadway, followed by great throny.
for three blocks, until the home of the suicids
was reached. Medical aid was Immediately sum-
moned and everything possible was done to re-
store the minister to consciousness. At the time
of the shooting, Mrs. Heermance, the wife of the
pastor was teaching Sunday-school class in this
new chapel. within few feet OF her husband.
Drs- Schmid. Curtis, and Haight were in constant
attendance on the dying man, until he died az
7:45 D. m. The doctors probed for the bullet
but were unable to extract it.
Mr.. Heermance was man OF great learning,
but he WAS somewhat eccentric IN his ideas. His
ministration in the church for the pegiod OF
eighteen years before his resignation, some three
months ago, was characterized as earnest and
thorough, but his sermons were sometimes, tinged
with sarcasm and structures that gave offence to
some members of his congregation. The relations
and eliminated in his handing in his resignation
to the Presbytery on February /. lie was pos
sesscd of q small competency. Notwithstanding
the losses which he had sustained in the commission
business in this city some six years ago.
Mr.. Hecrmance born in Ulster County,
nfty-fve years ago. of wealthy parents. lie WAS
graduated at Yale University aud studied theology
in the Yale Divinity School. IL was at New
Haven that he formed the acquaintance af ex-
President Woolsey's daughter whom he marrisa
some twenty years ago. He leaves three children,
Woolsey, age sixteen; Laura, age fourteen, ana
Edgar age twelve. There was no apparent sign
Of mental alteration noticed by the member OF tho
congregation who saw and talked with him as
the close OF the morning service yesterday, and
they all said that he appeared in the best OK
spirits and was unusually pleasant :.