New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-14
KILLED IN HIS OFFICE.
FREDERICK W. GEsswEIN SHOT.
THE MURDERER, FORMER EMPLoYE OF THE

JoHN.sT. JEwELLER, ARRESTED.
weak old mans despair led to the murder Of
Frederick w. Gesswem at No. 80 JohnSt. yesterday.
Mr. GessweIn was a wealthy manufacturer Of tools for
Jewellers. He had two factories. being in Brook
Iyn. where 200 men employed and he occupied
the fourstOry building I'm Johnst. warehouse.
His home at No. 500 Marcy ave-, Brooklyn where
be had wife and six children. lie was vigorous,
active w. 20. fory-one years old. The who killed
him +, ristan Deyhle, a feeble old German, Of No
013 Sarscantst., Philadelphia lie had sued Mr..
Gesswcln for the alleged infringement OF patent and
had been defeated in the United States Court.
At a. m. yesterday he went to Mr.. Gesswein's
store at No. 30 JOhn-st and informed that Mr..
Gessweln had not arrived. He sat down on chair
near tho front door and waited. Mr. Gesswen en-
tered his place Of business few minutes before II
a. M and found Deyhle still there. After exchanging
a few words with the old man, Mr.. Gesswein said
Come up TO my office" lie led the way to his Office
I'm the rear OF the second story and seated himself at
his desk. Deyhle sat down on a lounge near him.
A thin board partition separated the office from the
office Of Charles T. Rooster, Mr.. Gessweins book
keeper but Koes ter could hear most OF the talk which
followed. Deyhe spoke I'm upbrading tone.
declaring that his business had been ruined
by Mr.. Gcsswein and claiming that some money
due him on account of the Infringement OF his
patent. Mr. Gesswein replied You have sued me
and have been beaten in court Now you have no
further claim on me.'
Well, said Dcyhle give me $500 to enable me TO
enter the Old Mems Home in Philadelphia must
have that much money. anyhow
At that moment H. Hopper, jewecr. OF Newark.
y. j.. entered the office, wishing to Mr.. Gesswen
on business. Mr.. Gesswein angry at the old
mans persistent demand and he said bluntly: u
would be as big fool you II gave you money
now
Deyhle rose from the lounge, and, without another
word raised revolver, which he had drawn from MS
pocket. The close together, and Deyhle
instantly fired The muZzle Of the weapon almost
touched Mr. Gesswens breast and he still sat In his
chair when the bullet entered his body. lie uttered
a cry of pain and tried to rise, but his head drOpped
on his breast and he fell forward on the hoor HOP
per- who witnessed the murder, poweress to pre-
vent IT, Rooster ran in from the adjoining ONCE ara saw
the old man standing quietly over the fallen Dody OF
his victim Deyhle made motion to escape and
seemed 10 be dazed by his act He let Rooster
take the revolver away from him without struggle
and he remained standing still after Rooster had sent
a clerk to call in policeman. Mr.. Gosswen had
expired within few seconds after being shot
Policeman White, of the Old slip Squad soon
entered the office and arrested Deyhle lie led th3
prisoner to the police station, where Acting captain
Docherty tried to get from him some explanation OF
the murder At first the old man would not say much
except that he had been ruined by Mr. Gess"eh'
lie gave his age as siXty-nine years, ana was
widOwer. with no relatives I'm this country eA-
cept two sisters and a married daughter III fhna-
delphia His slender frame and haggaid race shower
that he was consumptive and the fact was made SIN
more apparent by cough. bald spot on his hea"
and his struggling gray beard added to his forlorn
appearance In reply to the sergeantS questions
ne said invented refractOr for the use OF Jewellers
and engravers. IL was contriVance ior WlO"lne
tight on fine work / made the refractors III fhha
lelphla and sold them for 81 each. Mr. GeSswcm
ola m IN
yeution and began 10 flood the the market Win
refractors like nine My business ruined. L
brought a suit In the United states Court through
jeremiah CARLY. Philadelphia lawyer, but the case
wa, decided against me-
DeyhIe showed a letter I'm German which he had
received from Mr.. Gesswen a few weeks ago IT was
translated thus:
letter OF March ID. from WILLIAMSBURG receiver
yesterday.
The decision in your suit sufficient for me. omit
an answer to your remarks. You may believe me- that
1 feel very sory that you were led asr"y I" Dos =,
against me- DO not see why 'hO' WV ~
not assist you. , 1,no.
the decision would against you was TO be expected
To free YOU Of the idea that Intended to cut on your IN
come from the manufacturing OF refractors my as'ur
apce herewith may satisfy you. , -
ns,tahv made only 300 Of the refractors, and my
"A, d,d not cover the expenses OF this lawsuit lou
NAV manufacture, this a well a. before ana II you
ant IN an my orders promptly without any eohpe.'o"
and YOU wish U furnish me with COCA af'cie "tHou
your name and without the patent stamp on 'neui' an
willing TO cease the mahW'c'u'hs VI '
promise buy OF YOU $780,. ,>.hi -.ta
The two firms referred 10 in the letter DeShie Sau'
,r. Uootromery a CO.. of No. l05 Futon-st'' ana
Vt,hbc,,, 4 CO. Of No. rs Nassau-st lie sam 'hey
had not instigatcd his suit against MI "esS"el''
neville came 10 this city few days ago win the
nurpo,e Of asking help from Mr. GesSwen' ana ne
Loa,,lcd a. the Jim Fisk" restaurant in Park Row
r.. male mo- attempt TO SEQ Mr.. GcsSWelh unlH w.
terIaV lie said h. had had the revolver MI'h iI
3D., -bootnr was done for some time ne doCldIc"
tha, no ,lid not much care what became OF MN =, .
'" scrgcaut Docherty had Deyhle watched closely az
,bo r6jire station. fearing that he would attempt ~
IN himself In afternoon the prisoner wa an WI
Iofoie coroner schuze, who committed nun 10 ths
,r,,h. AT the Coroner Office the behavior Oh
neVhlr led 10 the belief that he wa Hlsdle; Ino
, ~ made an examination Of Mr.. GesSweills DOdy
,t the store In JOhnst and gave permit lOt "o
removal of the body 10 BROOKLYN =,
The murdered man was about fOrtyone years oId
al rar,c In This country from Germany little over
fwcntv wears ago After serving in various situations;
tho la. being al a machine store In fuhSt ne s6tIIIu
a, IIsiue,s a. peder OF jewellers tools. ana HhaS
oncncd a small store in Maiden Lane. lie moved 10
M. ,,rcseut place of business I'm partnership WIN
George W. Goodrich, some time ago. us IaP',S III
crcasing business made ii necessary Tor MN 10 ~
TEND the scope Of his operations ana ne accoulhsS
onened a factory I'm Graham-st. BIOOMNh, anu az
paterson " J. Recently the Paterson establishment
was abandoned, Mr. Gesswein dev0tng ms eherEleS
IA tho BROOKLYN and New-YOrk houses. Inc usdu
man was an ardent Republican and took an actlNe
part I'm the campaigns OF 1884 and 1855, ana lriouc
readers will probably remember his able ana eAnduslVo
letters on the tariff question.
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THE FLACK INVESTIGATION ADJOURNED.