New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-16
SUICIDE TO AVOID ARREST.
JAFFE KILLED HIMSELF BEFORE A Po-
LICEMAN
AFTER HE HAD CAREFULLY DRESSED HIMSELF
HE DRANK CARBOLTc ACID. WHILE THE
OFFICER WAS WAITING WITH WAR
RANT FOR GRAND LARCENY.


OFFICER WAS WAITING WITH A WAR
RANT FOR GRAND LARCENY.
Alfred s. Jaffe who lived at No. l42 Lexngtoh-
ave. killed himself yesterday morning IN MS
room in the presence OF Policeman Patrick r.
Gargan who was about to arrest him ior srano
larceny. Jafe had for some time been IN 'he
employ of Joseph Samerfeld, cigar dealer OF
No. 200 Church-st. Until recently ne was con-
sldered highly trustworthy by his employer ou'
NJ late Samerfeld has been unable to explain
the refusal Of some OF hts customers TO pay the'r
bills on the ground that they had not recei'eu
the goods charged to them. Other CUSTOMERS
complained that their monthly statements con-
tained charges. for goods for which they had PAID
Jaffe.
Whom his suspicious had been aroused Samer-
fold questioned his agent about the apparent IT.
regularities but WAS told that his customers must
10 r,,staLen An investigation followed in the
course OF which Samerfed found restaurant
keeper who had purchased cigars or JaHe' pu'
who had not been known to Samerfeld as one vi
h,s customers Another proprietor Of a restau-
rant at Twenty-eighth-st. and Sixth-ave., 70
whom statements had been sent said ne hao
never bought cigars Of Jaffe
A WARRANT ISSUED.
One OF the men to whom Jlffe had dehVereu
goods was A. Danger, proprietor OF restaurant
at No 1O5 West Twenty-fifth-st Danger ac-
knowledged having bought cigars OF Jane anu
showed a receipt signed by Jaffe. while Samer-
field had never known Of him as customer.
samerfeld on September II procured war
rant from Magistrate Wentworth for MS arreS"
and 10 was while serving this warrant yesterday
morning that Policeman Gargan watched Jane
prepare to meet death.
When the officer told Jaffe through the cioseu
door that he had something to say 10 hifh' INC
agent opened the door. Gargan VINO was vas ~ II
citizens clothes then told him that he was
prisoner.
What for?" inquired Jaffe.
For converting $50 of Joseph Samerreid
money to your own use - . o T
oh pshawr' said Jaffe. THAT'S nonsense l
haven't got cent of his money. Some or his oiiis
haven't been paid yet and he neednt De alraiu "a
his money. Besides. I don't sec why ne snou,u III !
worry He's got 5000 worth or palace Ca.
companv's stock In his safe which ] own. l iet
him keep 1t because l don't want 10 pay sio d
year for a safe-deposit vault
PREPARED FOR DEATH IN THE OFFICER
PRESENCE.
Jaffe calmly told Gargan that he would WILL
,nelv 20 with him. as he could easily explain
things Then, offering the policeman cigar ne
told him TO sit down and wait while he dressed.
He coolly dressed himself, with tne greatest Soi
for every little detail meanwhile conversihs
nleasantly with the officer VINO watcheo MIN
closely every minute When he had everything
on except his coat Jaffe brushed his teeth ana ap-
neared to garge his throat with water from
glass As his head was behind partition a.
that moment Gargan could not see what ne mao
on the washstand Finally the agent waiAeo
over TO his bed threw himself upon 1t ana ex-
claimed: ,,,
well. I've poisoned myself guess won
go anyway. Ill, ,,or,h
was fiery red He then rushed to the basin ana
fourd a two-ounce bottle half filled with carboc
acid.
"Did YOU drink this?" asked Gargan
Yes" answered Jaffe. ,
The officer Immediately went In search OF med
ical aid but Jaffe had become unconscious pelore
he returned and died soon after the physician
arrived about ten minutes after taxing the
poison. . A.. .
Mrs Bord. the landady. told reporter that
Jaffe was about forty-ive years old and un-
married He had roomed at her house Tor about
a wear He was scrupuously neat in his per
son. and kept his room in perfect order She
said that his mind was at times unsettled as the
result of a sunstroke which he received about
wear ago He frequently had hemorrhages from
a wound on his head. which he said he received
in the Civil War, but as he was only nfteen
wears old at the close of the war this story
seems improbable. II Is thought that he had
no relatives in the city.