New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-13
WILROTH TRIED SUICIDE.
HE WAS CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLE-
MENT AND PREFERRED DEATH
TO ARREST.
BELONGING TO BROOKLYN COAL COM
PANY-HE HAD EXPECTED APPRE-
HENSON AND WAS PRE-
PARED FOR 1T.

PARED FOR 1T.
| Fred wilroth. while under arrest for embezzng
| from the Moquin- Oferman- Heissenbuttel Coal
Company. shot himself in the head yesterday after
| noon on board the Fulton ferryboat Fulton. He
was being taken 10 Brooklyn at the time by Detec-
tive James Roche. The latter had been warned that
Wilroth had sworn to be taken alive but the
prisoner got revolver. concealed in his overcoat
pocket. to his head before detective could pre-
vent it,
| Wroth is a German forty eight years old. He
lived with his wife at No lO5 Randoph-st., Jersey
| City. He has been employed for some years as a
| collector for this firm to whom he came we'll rec
| commended. His salary and commission amounted
to $40 or $50 week. according to the statement OF
| the firm.
Wiroth last reported for duty February %.
on March Ms. Wilroth called at the coal office
and said that her husband had beer away from
nome for five days. An immediate search was
made Of the collectors accounts. 1t was found
that he had collected at least five bills, aggregating
| 500 and failed to turn In ths money. warrant
for his arrest on charge of grand larceny in the
| second degree was secured from Police Justice
| Walsh March L.
A few days after this Messrs Onerman and Heis-
| senputtel each received a letter from Wilrolh. TO
the former he wrote that he would never be taken
| awe and that II an attempt made to arrest
MIN he would end his life. In Two later letters he
| wrote the same thing To Mr. Hessenbutte he
"io'e requesting member OF the firm TO visit him
| at MS house. with view to compromising. When
| 'his was refused on account of the distance, Will
| foth proposed a meeting yesterday afternoon, at 4
O'CLOCK, at the Glen Island Hotel. Cortland. and
west SIS, NewYork. Mr. Heissenbuttel was
| mere at that hour and was Detective Roche
with warrant ~
roth when arrested "
On the way TO the ferry-house he was allowed to
SEM message to his wife. and when on the boat
ne complained OF the warm cabin and asked TO go
oSE' on tnc 'front.' deck. Detective Roche had felt
OF ms prisoners pistol pocket, but had made no
| .uIther search, although he knew OF the man 3
threat not 10 be taken alive. As Roche stood AT
is ieIt mana, Wilroth changed his umbrella 10 his
eII hahd. and put his right hand careessly in his
| 1T.snt oVeIcoat pocket, the flap Of which was in
aheIe ne let II stay five minutes when quick as a
nahh ne mad II at his Before the detective
Soud tear IL away shot fred and the bullet
ndu Iodged at the base of the skull. He was taken
, 10 the Long Island College Hospital He NAV
:, IN an ante-mortem statement to Coroner C,oombs
sS nght ne said that he bought the revolver a
yo-caIpIc one I'VE days ago, with the intention OF
sho0tihg nimself when arrested which he expected
70 90. lie confessed TO shortage OF $500 or s7OO
| HIS wife visited him last night w. - WV
DStectlVe Reynolds chief of the Detective Bureau
said Inat IL was not the custom search prisoners
| IKE WiIroth until they were taken 10 Police Head
quarters or a station house
! As Nliroth earned about $40 a week and gave his
! wire Only 20 a week. II is thought that he was
| ehlahgied with another woman.