Evening journal., 1895-06-22
TRAGEDY IN A STATION.
Agent Killed the Telegraph OPP
orator and Then Himself. !,
KTs0Osz HAD BEEN DISMISSED.
Tho Man lie Murdered Was His Brother
in-iaw, who, II Is Supposed, lie Suspected
Of Causing the Loss Of Ills rosition--A
Woman Heard the Shots.

Of Causing the Loss Of Ills Position.-A
Woman Heard the shots.
CHATHAM, n r.. June 2a.-The little
hamlet Of Philmont, n ", situated on
the Harlem railroad, near the northern
terminus, was the scene Of a startling
tragedy Henry j KroOsz, station agent
in the Philmont depot. deliberately mur.
dered his hrothcrin-law, George A. Ja-
cobb, who was also his baggage master and
telegraph operator.
The express train from New York ia
dine in philmOnt 40 lO.27 a. m. and on
this train wns expected Mr. Grovestcin Of
sharon, n II. who was to be installed as
successor to Mr. kroosz.
some ten days ago it had become cur
rcnt rmnur that Mr. kroosz had been asked
70 resign This caused no little surprise,
as he Ind been the faithful employee Of tho
New York Central railroad for "a years at
this same station. His accounts with tho
railroad company and with the American
Express company had been examined two
weeks ago and found correct, as usual,
but as an agent he could have been moro
. accommodating to the public and more
polite to strangers He was, however,
much respected In the community. His
peculiar temperament led TO his dismissal,
and the blue envelope came last Sat
urday.
Shot Him From Behind.
Kroosz took the matter greatly to heart
and went to the station earlier than usual.
He remarked to a friend that this was his
last day rs agent; that he had nothing on
which 20 live, and all he had was his little
house and lot that he called his home.
Tho hands Of the depot clock pointed to
1910 %. M when Kroosz entered tho lit
Tie cluttered mp ticket Office and telc-
graph otiice combined There sat Inuobi.
with coat and vest Off, working over his
accounts and listening 70 the tick OF in
strumcnts before him, Little did ho think
ot the fate that at that moment awaited
him. The train wns nearly due. and what
had been evidently planned and premodi-
tated upon must be done quickly.
kroosz drew ont an old style revolver Of
large caliher, and bullet was sent AZ his
unsuspecting victim. ID tore OF the low
or portion of his left ear and sank into tho
shoulder. Instantly q second bullet en-
tered tho back Of Jacoblis head, and he
fell backward in his chair, still praspinp
his pencil between his fingers, dead
Aroosz raised the smoking revolver Co his
own head and sent the third bullet into
his brain He fell dead on tho floor, tho
revolver falling beside him.
In the waiting room Of the station sat
the wife Of village physician waiting for
the ticket Office window 10 open in order
that she might purchase ticket for tho
train then about due.
She heard no qunrrels0me words. but
simply three quick successive shots Run
ming TO the outside window, horrible
sight met her gaze and she shrickcd for
help The train at that moment pulled in
70 the station. Tho conductor. j ID. Cam.
eron at once gained entrance to the Office
and quickly understood the situation when
he saw the bodies. DIR, Ncdder was placed
IN charge Of the station and Coroner Lisls
OF Hudson was called by telephone. On
the arrival Of the coroner the bodies were
viewed by jury which he impanelcd, and
the inquest WIS adjourned until Tuesday.
The Crime Was Planned.
Charles Carmier, travelling auditor OF
the New York Central, and Mark lyons
route agent Of the American Express com
pany, We're en- route az the time Of the
tragedy 20 close up Iiroosz's business and
install the new agent
From papers and accounts It was shown
thnt kroosz carefully planned tho terrible
deed that he so successfully carried out
He had had some words with jacob some
days ago, and from jealousy made up his
mind that il he went his associate should
60 with him.
kroosz was born in Chappaqua, N. ",
and was 45 years Of age He leaves a wild
ow, the sister Of jacob, and four children.
His father was a native Of Germany, and
his mother was from Newark, N. j.
kroosz was a member of the Episcopal
church. q wardoD and q member Of Co
iumhia lodge, No 9S, H. and a. M.
Jacob was 33 years old, married and
had one child, years OF age. He was
much respected, was not Of quarrelsome
disposition and had many friends. The
feeling in the village is one Of deep sad
ness because of the crime
The real cause Of the terrible decd may
never be known, but it is evident that
kroosz believed that Jacob was interfer-
ing by making complaints to the company
and otherwise, and this, added 70 other
supposed wrongs, spurred him to do the
terrible deed.