The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-09-01
MANS PERFIDY.
George William Beck's Con-
duct Causes Death and
Misery.
.ELOPES WITH YOUNG GIRL
Two Families Frustrated BY
the Conduct of the Guilty
Couple.


Death, broken hearts, poverty, tears
and shame are the results of one of the
most sensational and startling elopments
that have occurred in this city in years
II was caused by association of December
| with May and it played more havoc than
can ever be repaired in two homes that
at onettime .knewA naught 4
George WH3am sAeek, fsxF years old, or
| No. 22o Communipaw avelssse, and twenty
thre year old Eva Schmitt, the Oldest
daughter Of Jacob Schmitt, of No. 5s1
Jersey avenue, left their home five weeks
ago and no word has been. received from
either since. The relatives of both prin-
cipals denounee them aud say that it was
an elopnent long arranged and carefully
carried cut after many years of intimacy
that was accomplished with rnny sensa-
| tienal features
Beck left his fifty year old wife
Amelia heart broken and practically des-
titute because he took with him all the
wealth. years of labor had brought to him
through thrift and the careful financier-
| Ing of his deserted help mate. They had
saved $4,000 and not cent of this money
remains to ease the last days of faith
iul wife and mother. When Beck left
nome he had twenty-five year old son.
William but he passed away. death
Claiming him after a few weeks suffering.
| MRS. Beck says her husband is the cause
of their sons death.
Mrs. Beck was for time insane he
cause of the double affliction put upon
her and is now in poor heath at the nome
OF her mother at st. Paul's avenue Her
health is failing fast and her condition
| IS alarming her friends.
Miss Schmitt left heart-broken father
and mother and three younger sisters.
The mothers anguish as she thinks of
her daughter is very great. She had.
known of her daughters relations with
Beck year ago, hut thought she had
guided the girl into the proper course and
felt safe. She felt SO sure, in fact. of her
daughter that few months ago she went
I on European trip, leaving her behind.
Mrs. Schmitt returned to her home only
a few days ago. She was met with kisses
and ardent impressions of love by her
husband three of her daughters. Eva was
mot there. In half startled way Mrs.
Schmitt asked
Where is Eva?'
Gene npstairs, nv dear answered her
husband. as the runaway gi4i = sisters
hung their heads, fearful of encountering
the Wild look in their mothers eyes A
few minutes after the neighborhood was
startled by the, shrieks of the heart-broken
mother. When the truth flashed upon ner
the bereft mother exclaimed
II would rather have had heard of Eva's
DEATH
n cn4t 1ad ~, %J,of h.
Many years ago when George Beck was
in the commission merchant business a
few doors from Jacob Schmitt's bakery
and grocery store he supplied the latter
with goods. Many of the orders from Mr..
Schmitt were carried by little Eva, a
pretty child, who soon made her way into
the heart of her fathers friend Beck
showed a great deal of affection for Eva
and the girl spent much of her time with
him. The favors shown the little girl
caused Becl's son, Willie. much annoy
ance, and many childish quarrels resulted.
The young people went to school together
and all thought it was an arrangement
whereby the young people were to marry
each other at the discretion of their
parents.
AS Eva grew into womanhoed she and
Beck continued to show their love for
each other They were often seen to-
gether. Three years ago Beck began to
remain away from his home very much
He gave as an excuse that business de-
tanned him. Rumors reached Mrs Beck
but she did not believe them. Then she
had confirmation in way that startled
her. She found letter in her husbands
pocket signed Eva Schmitt." It was full
of words of endearment and was very
familiar. Mrs. Beck said nothing for a
time, but continued to collect the letters
of her rival and now has a small bundle
of them. She consulted with friends, who
offered her assistance They located Miss
Schmitt and learned she attended ST
Boniface's Church. AT one mass Mrs.
I Beck was at the church. Miss Schmitt
was kneeling devoutedly in prayer. Mrs.
Beck could not believe that the girl she
saw with head bowed and hands clasped.
could be the cause of her unhappiness
She did not discontinue her investiga-
tions, however, but took to following her
husband. Many times she followed in
vain but at last her perseverance was
rewarded. The chase once led to Hobo
ken, and at the ferry house there Mrs.
Beck came upon her husband and Miss
Schmitt, and used her umbrella with such
effect that the girl fled, screaming with
pain. The handle of the umbrella was
broken over Miss Schmitt's head
Beck promised to reform after this Incl
dent and his wife decided that the best
way out of it would be to move South
They remained in Virvinia a short time
but Beck left suddenly. His wife follow
ed and learned that he had been with Miss
Schmidt Beck made several other visits
to the South. he said, but his wife disbe-
lieves him He drew much money at war;
ious times and the day on which he left
his home he took all the available cash,
and left nothing for his WIFE
After an absence of several days, Beck's
son William began to trace his father
! He learned the truth and hurried to his
mother to tell her what he had discov-
cred. He finished the story and ELL at her
feet suffering from hemorrhages. After a
few weeks Illness he died and was burned
Monday. DR. Lewis. who attended the
young man. gave it as his opinion that the
dead man would have lived longer had it
not been for his fathers conduct.
Mrs Beck became I'll and has not yet
recovered. Mrs Beck denounces her nus
band for his tep ana asserts that .sa
eloped. fne
On several occasions Miss SehnifIvt
~