New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-24
A SWINDLER'S CRIME.
HE TRIED MURDER AND KILLED HIMSELF.
BmcurruL EXPERIENCE OF A sHoEDEALEE


WITH DISHONEST CUSTOMER
Detection in q sw1ndlng transaction led a man to
attempt murder and then TO commit suicide in George
Ritterbands shoe store. ut No 700 MadlaOnaVe yes
terday afternoon. The called himself Joseph
Baere lie abont thirty years old. and was well
dressed. lie was unknown TO RitterDaId until week
ago when he went TO the store and ordered PAIR Oh
shoes which were to cost 81. When asked TO make
deposit, Bsep said lie had 10 change. but would
pay for the shoes when they were ready. lie went
back to the store about p. III. yesterday, ana tned
OH the shoes which fitted his feet perfectly Then he
offered In payment check for SO. The cheek had
been drawn Oh the Murray Hill Bank. at Thiri-ave
and Forty -seventh-st. 1t made payable to -.
Baere" and was signed BY Frank Brown Baere
said he liked the shoes well that he would nave
a pair OF patent leather shoes made also Ritterband
might take Out OF the check the money for both pairs
Rierband answered that he did not have the change
In the store, but would get the check cased whiie
Baere being measured or the patent leather shoes
Ritterband's helper jacob Mas was In the store NJ
the time. Rtterband, who suspicious OF fraud
went directly the bank and presented the chcc2
there The cashier handed 1t back with the statement
that II was worthless. There were no funds there
To meet the amount Of the check the cashier SAID
lie stamped no account" on the check. The dealer
hastened back to his store and found Baere waiting
there pair of shoes In his hand He snatched
the shoes out OF the hand of the swinder and then
nourished the check in his face, with the demand :
"what do you mean by this You trying to
cheat me.'
Baere appeared TO be excited. "Do you take me
for a swindlerl' he shouted.
Eyes do. You get out Of here" the reply
Baere made dash at the shOedealer, who ran be-
hind counter There was glass showcase ON the
counter. Baere brought his fist down on the glass
and broke it, Then Rterband caught hold of Baerc
and ordered Maus call a policeman. Baere drew
revolver. AT the sight OF the weapon kitterDand
let go of the man and tried TO get out of his way
I'm teach you better than to lay hands on me- v
Baere shouted, and tired at the dealer.
The bullet struck the counter. Baere fred again.
and the second bullet also missed Ritterband. Maus
ran out of the store. Ritterband crouched behind
the counter almost paralyzed with fear. third
bullet fired by Baere struck Ritterband In the left
side and inflicted q slight flesh wound. Ritterband
fell on the floor with groan. Bacre probably
thought he had ldlled him. He Immediately turned
the revolver to his own head and fired fourth shot.
The bullet entered his FOREHEAD and he sank to the
toor insensibe.
Policeman Michael Collins of the East Sixty seventh
st. squad ran to the with Maus. lie called an
ambulance from the Presbyterian Hospital. Baere
dead when the ambulance arrived Ritterband
said he had been hurt desperately and the ambulance
carried him to the hospital Calls for Coroner to
take an ante norton statement and make a post
mortem examination sent over the police wires.
Then the surgeons examined RitterbaDd and found
that he hurt seriously. He was much re.
neved In his mind, and decided to go home. The
body Of Baere was removed to the police station.
In Baerc's pockets found four pawn tickets
for handkerchefs trinkets and bill for articles
purchased at the store Of George Bethany, dealer in
mems furnishing goods at Thrd-ave. and Sixty
frstst. Belamy said that Baere had offered the
check on Monday In payment for goods worth ST.
but he had refused to accept the check and Baere
had gone away. Baere had given his address as
No. IA East Sxtiethst., but he not known at
fh>f Ia MS had lpfe n
berg, of No. JOG East Eighty -frstst., rs friend
who could vouch for him. Rosenberg said he did