The evening world., 1894-09-11
A BR0CKWAY VICTIM.
Fred Wagner, an Eliminate of
Elmira, Commits Suicide.
Was Discharged Crippled in Body
and a Mental Wreck.
Swallowed Carbolic Acid in the
Presence of His Brother.

Frederick Wagner. a German. twenty
eight years old. committed suicide short
ly before midnight last night by taking
carbolic acid. The deed was committed
at the home Of his brother Paul, on the
top floor of the five-story tenement house
81 First avenue. In the presence of both
the brother and his wife.
The suicide was a graduate Of the FL
mira Reformatory. He received his
final release on June Is. The motive.
therefore, for taking his life could not
have been fear Of being returned to the
tortures which he had often told had
been inflicted upon him.
Wagner. since his return from Elmira,
was an object Of pity Crippled. broken
down in health and with the con-
seriousness that he was being constantly
pointed out as an object lesson OF the
refining and reformatory influence OF
Brockwayism, preyed upon his mind. UNI
til he concluded to end his sufferings and
shame. That is the explanation made
by the surviving brother.
Frederick Wagner had the advantage
of good education. His character was
spotless, and he enjoyed the highest es-
and the fullest confidence Of his employ
ers. He was bookkeeper and confidential
clerk for felt manufacturing firm in
Eighteenth street for a number OF years.
He was paid a good salary, dressed well
and his companionship was sought by
young men and women of the wealthy
. German families of the east side.
He fell victim to the fattery OF his
friends, and pressed for funds TO meet
an obligation of honor he signed the
name of member of the firm employing
tended to take up the check before the
knowledge of its utterance could have
reached the firm and his crime be ex-
posed But he had miscalculated. Be
q q
in full possession of the facts. and Wag-
ner was n prisoner-a disgraced felon.
On Sept, %, 1891 he pleaded guilty to
petition for mercy made by his former
employers was sentenced by Judge
Fitzgerald to the Elmira Reformatory.
During the first year of his incarcera-
ton he wrote regularly to his brother
Paul. He was repentant and promised
to redeem his reputation and wipe out
by good deeds and proofs of reformat ton
the stain on his honor.
Suddenly the letters ceased. Nothing
more was heard from him until a few
eral supt Brockway wrote to Paul, the
paroied: On NOV, % he was released
said Paul to an Evening World re-
porter this morning, that the hollow
esms 70 my home Ras ms hsnd
some brother. My wife and I cried
ourselves nearly blind he was such a
shadow of his former self broken down
life.
HE appreciated his condition, too, and
was naturally remorseful: There was
such a Wild haunted look in his eyes
as you often see In those of man who
has become desperate and lost the last
vestige Of faith In the humanity and
charity OF the worlG.
IF undermining a mans mental facul-
ties, crushing his spirit, breaking his
bones and rendering him, Unfit t2r any
condition, then my brother was re-
formed by Brockway's treatment. !
dead. however, for he was really men
self"
Before receiving his final discharge
brothers story was afraid to relate
his prison experience. He feared that
he would be returned to Elmira. and he
was exceedingly guarded in his manner
The first year" said the brother.
Fred got along all right; He worked
structor, in the gymnasium. one day
he accidentally fell while taking exer-
else and broke his right ankle. Brock
way declared that it was not accidental
| out that II was ruse to obtain parole.
Fred told me he was locked up in a
dungeon without the attendance of a
I SURGEON lor tnree Gays anu nlgnts, SUI
,ering the combined agonies of starva-
, ton and pain. When nearly bereft of
! his senses he was removed to the hos
pital. when the broken bones were get
In careless way that left his foot de-
formed and a permanent cause OF
pain.
"He was starved and abused in other
ways. but whether he had ever been
padded | cannot remember. though
think he said he had been
| "Brockway, l believe, thought he
might die on his hands and sent him
! home. He was one of the witnesses
sworn at Eimira during the iavestiga-
| ton, and the good things he said of the
institution Influenced Brockway to sign
| the release"
or late Wagner had been employed as
! broom boy" in a Chambers street bar
Der shop, earning Sc or 81 week He
considered the occupation degrading, but