The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-08

house, and that is hat there we're two
shots. Mrs. Spier told me that she heard
two distinct shots In the house. l also
talked to the maid, and she also told me
several times that she heard two shots
down stairs. I am not a detective, but
from everything l learned / am pretty sure
that Mr.. Spier and the burglar both fired
and that the burglar killed Mr.. Spier.
Il found evidences that supported the
theory Of a burglar in the fact that drawers
| had been pulled out and silverware removed.
We have not the slightest suspicion that
Mr.. Spier cnme to his death In any other
way. He had been with my father about
eight years and was a very fine fellow. SO
far as l know his affairs are all right. He
had no reason to kill himself
Mr.. Rogers said that Mr.. Spier was at the
Office last Friday, and that he was then in
the best Of spirits and very much interested
in his business.
LIFE INSURED FOR BENEFIT OF HIS ESTATE
For the benefit of his estate Mr.. Spier
had insured his life within a month for
SIS 600 About eighteen months ago he
insured himself for S25 900 in the Equitable.
When the insurance troubles arose he al
lowed his payments to lapse. A short
time ago he was solicited to renew his in
surance and he spoke of the mattor to an
intimate friend, John +. Boone, who with
his brother represents the New York Life
Company in the Times Square branch Of
the company at Forty-second street and
Broadway. Mr.. Boone persuaded him to
insure in the New York Life, and about a
month & he copsented. He asked for
surance and the other a SIS COO endowment
policy to run twenty years. He was ex-
amined and found to be in perfect health
and Mr.. Boone had the policies issued to
him. They were in favor Of Mrs. Spier.
Mr.. Boone took the first policy for $50
g and Spier paid the premium, amount
ing to 8 1857 so, by check on his brokers.
About a week ago Mr., Boone notified Mr..
Spier that the thirty days period on the
II he did not take the policy he would have
to be subjected to another examination
Mr.. Spier said he did not have the ready
money just then to pay for the premium
on the endowment policy and Mr.. Boone
offered to carry it for him. Mr.. Spier
for s l,si77 rs, the amount Of the premium,
saying that he might pay off the note at
almost any time. On Saturday morning
last Mr.. Boone dropped into Mr., Spier's
Office and Sp!er said:
"Ill pay tnat note now
Thereupon he drew n check for the pre-
! MUM, sent it down stairs, had it cashed and
/ paid the money to Mr.. Boone. Mr.. Boone
telephoned to his cashier from Mr.. Spieris
Office to mail the note to him and this was
done.
Before the insurance policies were finally
paid for Mr.. Spier came TO Mr.. Boone and
said that he wished to change the bene-
ficiary. He said that he wanted them made
out to Alfred LauteThach, his counsel, az
trustee. He declared that MIR. Lauterbach
had always looked after his legal affairs
and he thought he would like to ave his
estate made the beneficiary in that way.
Mr.. Boone said he would have to make a
| formal request for the change. Mr.. Spier
did 80 and the policies were sent to the main
Office of the company, the change was made
| by Endorsement and the policies were again
delivered to Mr.. Spier. They are incon-
testable.
NO KNOWN TOME TROUBLES.
Mr.. Spier's business associates on Staten
| Island said yesterday that he had no tinan-
cial troubles that they were aware Of. In
February last a judgment was entered by
default against Mr.. Spier and Charles +.
Yetman of the Yetman Typewriter Trans
| hitting Company in favor OF the Merchants
Exchange National Bank for $4,000, With
interest, amounting To $50, $40. Ire COM
pany, OF which Mr.. Spier was president,
was put in the hands of n receiver il Novenl-
her last and a petition in bankruptcy filed.
Mr.. Spier said when judgment WAS entered
! that it was merely u step in the reorganisa-
ton of the company.
Edward Lauterbach, VINO was NJ. Spier's
| counsel and well ~acquaintei witt is usr-
sonal affairs, said last night that lie ali rot
believe that Spier had shot him se.f, and
could think Of no reason for his doing such
a thing. Mr.. Spier never srecnl!tei, aud
his affairs were not in any way Involved.
IF he had been financially emba rrassed,"
eaid Mr.. Lauterbach, "he had many friends
who would have been glad to help him out
Mr. Lauterbach estimated tue estrte at
100000. His will would probably SLOW
what was to be done with the Insurance
and whether Alfred Liuterbac h. who . "a
trustee, is beneficiary of the policies, is TO
be an executor.
Mr.. Spier was a member OF the StHten
Island Club, and he and his wife wet into
the social activities of the isllnd. "a Satur-
day night he took part in n bowling contest
at the Staten Island Club. Sunday he spent
at home. and for a part of the morning,
before the rain fell. he was working in the
garden back of his house. Helived plaioly,
and the only luxury that he allowed himself
to enjoy was horseback riding. He kept a
saddle horse and used to take oanters on
the island. He was a good deal Of an ath-
lete, was fond Of yachting and occasionally
went off on the boats Of some of his friends
down the bay on Sunday. Having no
the company Of his wife. They we're al
ways seen together on social occasions.
Three years ago MIR. Spier's father left the
employ OF the Standard Oil Company and
went with his wife to Paris, where he is
now euga ged in the wine business. A sister
lives at Sea Gate. She came to tEe house
yesterday afternoon to be with Mrs. Spier.
TIE news was ca bied to the father.
The Staten Island police said Yesterday
that a small robbery occurred at the Spier
house about eight months ago. IL was a
daylight robbery and took place when NO
one was at home. Nothing but some
trinkets in a servants room was taken and
the police attributed it to small boys Of the
neighborhood.
May Arrest Is ond Co. OnciaIs.