New-York tribune., 1906-05-08
MURDERED BY BURGLAR
c. L. SPIER THE VICTIM.
FL. II. Rogers's Confidential Nan
Shot Dozen an OzCn House.

Charles L. Spier, confidential man 70 H H
Rogers, of the Standard OIL Company and re-
ceiver for the Richmond Light and Railroad
Company, was shot through the heart prob
ably with his own revolver and instantly killed
early yesterday morning at his home No. z
Tompkins avenue. New Brighton, Staten Island.
After the shooting the murderer who is sup
posed to have been a burglar escaped and has
not yet been caught.
There was apparently struggle between ATr.
Spier and the burglar. Mr.. spiers revolver was
found near his body with one chamber empty.
There were also marks Of the firing pin on one
of the cartridges.
1t is thought that. when Mr. Spier surprised
the burglar at his work the latter closed with
him and Mr.. Spier fired. The revolver appar-
emily missed fire. and before Mr.. Spier could
fire again the burglar must have wrenched the
revolver from him and fired the fatal shot. The
murderer was apparently not wounded. al
though the police are puzzled by a bloody finger
mark on one of door jambs.
The dining room was in great disorder. Chairs
and tables were overturned and silverware was
scattered all about One large bundle of sill
yer was backed up ready for removal
Owing to the rapid disappearance of the mur-
derer and the fact that no clew has been found,
the theory advanced that perhaps Mr..
Spier killed himself. This theory is disproved
by the course of the bullet.
The Spier family occupies a handsome cot
tage which Overooks New York Bay and is in
the exclusive section of New Brighton. Ac-
cording to Mrs. Spier, the only person who
knows anything about the shooting. her hus-
band. who was occupying room on the second
floor was aroused by hearing some one in the
lower part Of the house.
He came to her room, the door OF which was
shut and told her that ne heard somebody
downstairs and that he was going down 10 in
vestigate. She pleaded with him not 70 go
down. but he insisted. She then told him to
take his revolver and Buster their brindle bull
dog.
Going back to his room for his revolver, Spier
called for the dog and started downstairs. Soon
afterward, according 10 Mrs. Spier. she heard
two shots in succession. Then she heard a
crash as if something had fallen from the table
and had broken.
She called to her husband. and not getting
any response. rushed downstairs to see what was
the trouble. She found her husband lying on
the Threshold of the dining ROOM with blood
pouring from his chest. Sne reused the SER
wants who at once summoned aid.
DR.. Horace Patterson was the first person to
arrive. He made an examination of Mr.. Spier
and found that he was dead. Then he directed
his attention to Mrs. Sper who was suffering
severely from shock. William Johnson. a milk
man, informed the police of West Brighton and
Coroner CahilI.
At noon DR.. George Mord, the corOner's physi-
clan, made an autopsy on the body and found
that the bullet which killed Mr. Spier struck the
sixth rib. went through the left lung and heart
and then took a backward course and lodged in
the spinal column.
Mr.. SpieT was interested in many corporations
He was secretary of the Asbury Park and Sea
Girt Railway, a director of the Commercial
Newspaper Company. president Of the Yatman
Transmitting Typewriter Company. president
and director OF the New York Improvement and
Investment Company president of the Staten
Island Midland Railroad Company, v1ce-presi-
dent of the New Jersey and Staten Island Ferry
Company West End & Long Branch Railway
Company, president of the Richmond Light and
Railroad Company, Richmond Borough Com
pany, Seashore Electric Railway Company. di-
rector of the SOuthfeld Beach Railroad Com
pany Richmond County Power Company and
Manila Anchor Brewing Company
He was also a member of the Society Of Me-
chanical Engineers, American Institute OF Elec
trical Engineers, New York Railroad Club.
Richmond County Country Club and Staten ISL
and Chamber of Commerce.
When seen at his home last night. H. n. ROs-
ers, jr. said he was greatly shocked 20 hear
Of the death Of Mr.. Spier. Mr.. Rogers said he
had known Mr.. Spier for years. He secuted the
idea that Mr.. Spier killed by some person
with intentions other than those OF burglary. |
The report that his father had offered a reward
for the arrest Of the alleged murderer was de- |
MED by Mr.. Rogers.
EQUINOX WATER PUREsT AND BEST.