New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-28
TRAGEDY AT THE VENDOME
CONTRACTOR SHOOTS SALESMAN. THEN
KILLS HIMSELF
JEALOUSY MAY HAVE BEEN MOTIVE FOR
CRIME-TwO WOMEN SAID TO BE CON
NECTED WITH THE CASE

NECTED WITH THE CASE.
tragedy which resulted in the suicide of one
man and the probable mortal wounding Of an
other was enacted yesterday morning on the
eighth floor of the Hotel Vendome. at Broadway
and Forty-hrst-st Both men lived in Chicago
The one who attempted murder and then killed
himself was John H. Esson. a street paving
contractor. His victim. who is now lying at
the point of death at the New-York Hospital. is
Harold H. Stridron. salesman for Western
lumber concern. The crime first appeared to
have resulted from excessive drinking and the
intense heat of the morning. Detectives who
have studied the case. however, have come to
the conclusion that the final act Of the dead
man was prompted by jealousy. The woman
who has thus been connected with the case is
said to be Mrs. Lillian Hayes, of No. I'll West
Forty-eighth-st. Another woman, who, accord
ing to friends of the dead man. reached this
city from Chicago last Tuesday. is also said to
have figured in the tragedy.
BOTH DRINKING HEAVILY.
stridiron went to the hotel last Friday night
and registered as coming from Baltimore. For
two or three days prior to that time Esson
had been seen about the corridors of the hotel
in the company of Stridiron. and it was noticed
that both men were drinking heavily, On Satur-
day Esson registered, but, for some reason, under
the assumed name of H. j. Ford, Boston He
was assigned to room Noes Stridiron had
room No 307 on the eighth floor. looking out
into Forty-hrstvst.
The two men entered the hotel about o'clock
yesterday morning and asked for their keys
Both were under the influence Of liquor. on
the way up to their rooms Esson said to his
companion:
Il believe I'll go to your room"
What for?" was the answer. You have
7 tO do iS n On
of these collars on
1t was seen that both carried several collars
which they had evidently just purchased.
"Oh, I want to lie down. was Esson's an
swer Cant you let fellow even lie down on
your bed?"
The elevator had by this time reached the
eighth floor, and both went into No. SOI, the
room of Stridiron. Immediately afterward the
bell in the office of the hotel rang sharply for
Room No 3O7 and Richard Bradley, a bellboy,
was dispatched TO the apartment with pitcher
of water.
4 moment later the guests in the corridor
Of the hotel were startled by three revolver
shots in rapid succession. Then there was a
metallic clang in Forty-1rst-st. where the
weapon had fallen on the paving stones.
EssoN DEAD ON THE FLOOR.
Charles Whalen. the clerk. hastened upstairs.
reaCheQ
CURED just in time to see Stridiron come stag
eering out into the hail. with blood flowing from
two wounds in his head
Don't go in there. He'll kill you" shrieked
the wounded man. and then fell TO the floor.
call was Immediately sent to Police Head
quarters and at the arrival of the police the
door of Room No. 307 pushed back. Esson
was found lying dead on the floor, near the
door He had killed himself instantly by send
ing bullet through the roof of his mouth into
his brain The room showed few signs of the
terrible scene which had just been enacted. The
bed had been neatly made and the drapery ar
ranged and only a rent in a lace curtain. tinged
with red STAIN showed where the pistol had
been thrown out into the street
An ambulance was straightway summoned
from the New-York Hospital and while waiting
for it TO arrive the wounded man brokenly told
the story Of the shooting, as follows:
When we went into the room. Esson threw him
siass Ss o putting on my collar While standing there
felt a bullet crash into the back of my head. 1
Before @ could speak he had s shot again The bullet
struGh me S,r ~ rsr o,t here and told some man In
the next room TO send for a doctor.
BOTH BULLETS IN HIS BRAIN
After stridiron had been removed to the hos
pital il was found that both bullets were lodged
in his brain. He only survived. the doctors said
because of extraordinary vitality. To Coroner
yucca he said:
Coroner yucca 1 am Harold H. Stridiron. of
No 1I9 Seeley-ave., Chicago 1 came here for the
FitzsImnons and Rubin fight from Chicago. 1 met
Tohn Fsson here two weeks ago and saw him sew
eral times afterward. W. drank together and went
around together. 1 met him yesterday afternoon.
Sunday August 20 l got him room at the Ven
dome. and I signed for his meals This morning at
about o'clock he came TO my room and wanted a
drink We went out together and went over 10 a
saloon at Fortieth-st and Broadway and had some
thing 10 eat Then We got an automobile and went
for ride and rode out TO Riverside Drive from
until O'Clock told him wanted clean collar.
and he said he wanted one also and he oOught
one We then went into the hotel. and l got both
OF our keys. handed him the key 10 his room and
he said:
IT want to go to your room" and l said. John,
you have a room OF your own" He said; II want
TO go TO your room 10 lie down" I've told how he
shot me I can't tell 1t again. After he fired the
two shots at me he fred another shot. and I
him stagger toward the window. He then stag
gered and fell toward the door. 1t was then ran
out into the hall
On Saturday afternoon he told that he had
attempted 10 commit suicide. but was stopped He
Continued third page.