New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-30
BLISS GROOM KILLED.
SHOT By THE COACHMAN.
Latter Commits Suicide Tragedy
Occurs IN Bankers Stable.

David Burhans, coachman for Cornelius n.
Bliss, the banker and the treasurer Of the Re
publican National Committee. shot Thomas Heg
arty. the groom. late yesterday afternoon. After
his victim fell to the floor of the washrOom, in
the rear Of the Bliss private stable at No. 142
East seth street, where the shooting took place,
Burhans turned the revolver on himself. He
died almost instantly. Hegarty was removed
to Bellevue Hospital where he died later.
The direct cause of the tragedy was jealousy
on the part of Burhans who feared that Heg-
arty would succeed him in the favor Of Mr..
Bliss. but he had kept it hidden. and was ap-
parentiy friendly terms with his victim. Heg
arty was a devoted friend 10 his slayer
Harry Burhans. the nineteen year old son
Of the coachman, was cleaning harness in the
washroom, where Hegarty was cleaning a car
riage when his father fired the shots that struck
down the groom. Paralyzed with fear and hor-
ror ne saw his father without a word Of any
kind. turn the revolver on himself and fire
bullet into his brain. When he reached his
fathers side he found him dead.
Burhans had been coachman for Mr.. Bliss for
twelve years. He was a native Of Kingston.
y. Y, and a favorite with the Bliss family, to
whom he devoted. He was married and
leaves a wife and four children. The family
| lived on the third floor of the stable
Hegerty was also married and lived al No. 217
Lexington avenue. He had three children He
had been in Mr.. Bliss's employ as a groom for
several years. nearly as many as Burhans. Both
families are prostrated.
1t was from Harry Burhans that the police
and Coroner Shrady learned Of what led UP to
the double shooting. He said that his father
took the brougham to the Bliss home, No 1875
Madison avenue, early in the afternoon to take
Mrs Bliss out After drive through Central
Park he took Mrs. Bliss to an address in I'D
street. Later he returned for her. and after an
other turn I'm the park drove her home. He ar
rived at the stable about O'Clock. Beyond ap-
pearing gloomy. a state in which he had been
more or less for the last year or so. there was
nothing about him that indicated that the spirit
of murder possessed him.
After the horses were unhitched he went up
to his apartments and changed his livery for
working stable clothes When he came down
Hagarty, the groom had backed the brougham
| into the washroOm, which is in the extreme rear
OF the stable, behind the horses stalls and had
begun to clean off the dirt
Burhans went to work. among the horses at
first, paying attention to the two men, A
large door which separates the washroom from
| the stable was partially closed. Harry sud-
denly looked up and was Mortified TO see in his
fathers face the look Of a maniac He was
glaTing at Hagarty, who was unconscious of his
I
the shooting occurred.
The shots had been heard by Mrs Burhans
and two Of the children. Thomas and Jennie.
upstairs. and they rushed down. on the
floor lay the two men bleeding one behind
the horses the other in the washroom. one dead.
the other dying. Harry rushed to his mother
and led her and Jennie gently upstairs, telling
her all between his sobs of emotion Little
Thomas ran out into the street In search of A
policeman, and found Patrolman Becker, Of the
East 3jth street station.
Becker sent in a hurry call for an ambulance
to Bellevue Hospital. and Or. Hawkes. removed
Hegarty to that institution. Detectives Higgins
and Hart were detailed to the case. They we're
later Joined by Coroner Shrady The men
learned from the Burhans family that for over
year the dead cOachman had been suffering
from extreme nervousness, and had many spe Is
Of being gloomy and detected About a year ago
Mr.. Bliss. noting his nervous condition. sent
him to Oceanic, y. J., for a weeks vacation, but
the coachman became suspicious and remained
only one day. He was afraid some one else
would get his position, and he would have to
leave his comfortable home
Cornelius y. Bliss, jr.. visited the stable short
ly after the shooting. He refused to discuss the
tragedy except to say that it was very sad. He
assured Mrs. Burhans that she and her family
would be cared for by his father. The same
provision VIII be made for the family of Heg-
arty.