New-York tribune., 1902-11-21
STRUBEL TRIES SUICIDE
HE MAKES A DOUBLE ATTEMPT WITH
HANDKERCHIEF AND PISTOL.
HE HAD Confessed TO HAVING WRITTEN
AND SENT THE NIHILISTIC THREAT
ENINCI LETTERS.

After Botho Strupel imprisoned on charge
of writing threatening letters to prominent men,
had been examined by Chief Murphy OF the Jer-
sey City Police Department late yesterday after
noon, he left alone in one room of the
chiefs suite at Headquarters while the chief
stepped into another. When the chief re-entered
he caught the prisoner twisting a handkerchief,
and on being questioned. Strubel admitted he
had thought of killing himself.
When Strubel was led back to a cell he was
in charge of Patrolman Lurvey. Strubel ap-
parently wanted TO talk. and Lurvey allowed
him to do so Lurvey leaned against the cell
door and Strubel stood facing it the inner
side Lurveys position such that the re-
volver in his right hip pocket was exposed
StrubeI reached out and got hold of the butt.
He had the hand going through the bars before
Lurvey could catch 1t. A short struggle fol-
lowed, and Lurvey dragged the prisoners arm
through. and by threatening to break the arm
caused Ssrube to let go of the revolver. Stru-
bel was then removed to another cell, where he
cannot harm himself. and everything he could
possibly use was taken from him.
Chief Murphy earlier in the afternoon had talk
with Strubel and the young man confessed that he
was the author of the threatening letters sent 10
]. Perpont Morgan and Russell Sage and other
wealthy Workers. and also of the letters sent
10 Cappel Rubens and A II. Van Ojen, wealthy
wholesale groCerS in Jersey city. Sfupel says he
wrote ten letters in all. expecting that at least
one Of the recipients would be silly enough to
send him the money asked for
The letters were written while Strubel was stop
ping A sailors boarding house at No. 12S Gar
den-st., Hoboken He is little more than boy,
and he admitted to Chief Murphy that he had
heard his father. who is chief of police in one of
the boroughs of Hamburg. telling how money had
been secured by of threatening letters. In
which the writer alleged he bloodthirsty
,baI ~ KING in
cook and decided do a little writing on his
own account and see how 1t worked. He is peni-
tent. and talked unreservedly to Chief Murphy OF
his action since he decided to play the role Of
nihtst. or the ten letters some were written on
November 1 and others November l.
He selected the names indiscriminately from a
directory. Asked how he became acquainted with
Becker. who arrested in the General Post
Office in this city Thursday afternoon Of last
week. Strubel replied:
AT the house at No 12s Garden-st, Hoboken."
Have you ever seen any Of the men TO whom
you wrote the letters7'
No"
strubel said that he did not receive any money
from the men to whom he wrote. but that there
may have been some money In the letter received
by Becker In the New-York Postofice." He ad-
mitted that he had written letter to Captain
Titus after the arrest Of Becker stating that
Becker was mot the man" When asked why he
had written this letter Strubel evaded direct
reply. but said that when he met Becker in the
sailors boarding house in Hoboken he asked him
to go 10 the NeW-York Postoffice and ask for let
ters intimati1g that Becker would receive snare
- ths Yncyisss~sE = $4,000
Strubel was arraigned before Judge Murphy. in
the Second Criminal Court. Jersey City, yesterday
morning, and formally committed for trial on the
charge OF attempting to obtain money under false
pretences After his arragnment Strubel was placed
in line with number Of other men. and Detec-
tive Sergeant Samuel b. Davis. Of Manhattan.
identified him man who had been seen In the
al off Rec in
for c. c. Morton. of the three men arrested
with Strube two released-JaCOb Cfanbetz
and Fritz Seeher The third man. Frederick Becker.
No. 52 CireenwCh-st-, Manhattan, is being held.
a Chief Murphy says ne may prove 70 be rela-
tive Of the under arrest in Jersey City.