The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-25
LOUIS S. STERN A SUICIDE.
DROWNED HIMSELF THE DAY mrs
FIRM ASSIGNED.

Stern a. Company Fsn Tor ssso.ooo-H.s
Beeu n Busirers Thirty.stt Years Hard
Ti-es snd SLOW Collections sais ~ ne
the Cause Louis ster- wss Greatly
| worried-Left Hose 20 Get shaved a.s
was Fou.s Dess soo- ANerw.rs
.. the Old Reservoir In Ce.tr.i Fsrh.
Louis 8. Stern, second member Of the Arm Of
Stern & Co., dealers In mems furnishing goods
at 8s7 Broadway, which made an assignment
yesterday. drowned himself in the old reservoir
in Central Park yesterday morning. His body
was discovered at o'clock.
Mounted Park Policeman John T. Smith was
riding in the bride path on the west side Of the
reservoir, just opposite Eighty-nnth street.
when three boys ran to him and told him that
man was in the water. Smith climbed over the
iron fence and saw the body. with face upward,
floating on the surface about twenty feet away
On the stone wall was black coat Near the
body ioated black derby hat
Smith blew his whistle for assistance, and
Park Policemen Reyer and Bray responded.
The three men formed living chain, Reyer
clinging to the wall, Bray letting himself out
into the water and saving himself by holding to
Reyers hand, and Smith forming the end of the
chain. Smith was thus enabled 20 reach the
body with stick, and they drew IL out of the
water. The mans eyes were open, and the po-
Iicemen did not think that life was yet extinct.
DIR. George L. Peabody OF the New York Hos
pital happened TO be driving by. and. together
with the policemen, undertook to resuscitate
the man. After laborlng forty minutes, DIR.
Peabody concluded that further efforts were
useless and the body was removed in the ambu-
lance TO the Arsenal.
Papers in the pockets and the name and nd
dress in the hat disclosed the identity of the
dead man. A policeman WINS despatched TO
notify the family, and the body was removed TO
Mr.. Stern had lived in fine house AZ so West
Ninety seventh street. His family consisted of
his wife and five children, the eldest boy of 10
years. They were thunderstruck when they
heard the news. Mr.. stern had left home In
the morning In apparently good spirits.
we can't understand the motive for fathers
suicide except great depression resulting from
his firm. OF which he had principal charge since
MIR. Samuel Storms illness, was in II bad way. and
assignment He was very much distressed until
mother came home a few days ago. aud since
f ather encorags hi md NOR ose :, Sheer
him all she could.
soon after break fast he put on his overcoat
to get shaved. He got his shave. and insteai OF
going TO the store. which he knew. was then in
take walk in the Park. believe that when
he got over there, and continued thinking OF
Wnut he tOhssiueTtu was MS ulsRraCe ne COulunt
stand II and decided TO get out of HIS trouble.
Father was very sensitive. The firm had long
been prosperous one and had never before Ind
any financial trouble. Father himself was ready
to sacrifice everything. but the thought that any
one should lose through him distressed him
greatly"
MIR. Leo Stern, a cousin Of the suicide, has
charge OF the funeral arrangements. lie said
last night that he believed the failure OF stern
d Co. had caused Mr.. Louis Stern to become
temporarily insane.
Mr.. Stern was ~ years old. He came TO
this country from GERMANY, together with his
brother Leopold. when he was II years old. and
went to work with his uncle, samuel stern, head
OF the present firm Of Stern Il Co. In time he
became one OF the partners.
The firm OF Stern d Co. was thirty-six years
old. 1t manufactured mems furnishing goods,
having large factory in Paterson. Leopold
Stern was the third member. About two years
ago Samuel became sick. and has since been
unable to devote much attention TO the business.
The financial crisis and bad business according
firm. and some months ago the men found them
selves hard pressed. Depreciation OF stocks and
inability to collect accounts FASTENED the firms
failure. ~
, Deputy. Sheriff Hamburger took charge of tho
on executions issued In favor OF the following
creditors; II: Gernshym d Brothers, sll,019:
John n. w. Wright, ST. $40; Esther j. Levy,
$5.l5S: Nathan Weber. S6,BS9: Marcus Nj
chaelson, 3,l85: Leo Stern. 81 ,52O.4l. The exc
ney for the Judgment creditors.
Mr.. llatzek said yesterday he could not tell
the extent of tine liabilities or correct assets.
but II was said by Others, among them Leo
stern, that the liabilities would amount TO
$50. at least, There is a large stock of
meeting of the creditors would be held TO effect
d settlement.