The Washington herald., 1907-12-27
DIES BENEATH TRAIN
Prominent New York Lawyer
Killed on Elevated.
DENY IT'S SUICIDE
Ernest G. Stedman Leaps or Falls
Under Wheels of Approaching
Cars in Sight of CrOwd-COmpany
with Which He Was Connected
Went Into Bankruptcy Last Week.

New York. Dec. 2s-Hundreds OF wait
ing passengers at the Fourteenth-street
subway station were thrown into panic
during the rush hours to-day, when Ern-
est G. Stedman, lawyer. sixty-one years
old. jumped in front Of a moving train
and was killed
Stedman was lawyer. and treasurer.
vice-president. and heavy stockholder IN
the J. c. Lyons Building and Operating
Company, which went into involuntary
bankruptcy on December 20. Members
Of the family and friends Of the dead
man explained the fatality later by say
ing that Mr.. Stedman had been suffering
from vertigo recently, and that he must
have fallen under the wheels OF the train
E Ritzman de Grove, a lawyer. OF 1l5
Nassau street, said that M Stedman
had confessed 10 him on Friday night
last. the day that his firm had gone into
bankruptcy. that he had practically lost
his all in the failure. Mr. Stedman also
told his friend while they were riding up
town on the subway train that he felt
that the loss OF others who had invested
their funds in the real estate company
devolved upon him, because it had been
upon MS strong Urging that these invest
ments had been made
Large Interest in Firm.
Mr. SJedman's personal interest in the
real estate firm had amounted 10 500
60. That in itself. Mr.. De Grove ex-
planned. would not have been sufficient
TO impair the dead mans fortunes beyond
restitution. but he had indorsed bank
paper 20 the sum Of $4,000 besides. His
most valuable private holding, property
AT Is West Thirty-fourth street. had been
leased on a $4,000 basis. but the title 70
the property was almost covered by
mortgages.
Edmund Clarence Stedman. the cousin
Of Mr.. Stedman. and Dr. Malcolm LeaIe.
Of III West Seventy-third street. were no
tified OF the tragedy They went imne-
diateiy TO the Stedman home, al I0lS
Madison avenue, and broke the news TO
Mrs Stedman- She became hvsterical
and had 70 be under the physicians care
for the rest Of the day.
Edmund c. Stedman gave our the fol-
lowing statement later in the afternoon:
Mr.. Stedman spent the day yesterday
at home, seemingly cheerful 4 few per
sOnal friends were with him at dinner
last night, and IN no way did my cousin
show that he was in the leas. distraught.
ne left the house early this morning 10
60 20 business. Mr. Stedman has always
been an early riser, and il has been his
custom 70 take breakfast shortly after
O'Clock and leave for downtown imme-
diately after.
Believe Death an Accident.
we are certain that his death was due
10 an accident. There has been nothing
in Mr.. Stedman's business affairs which
could prompt suicide. He has always
been a most practical. International sort
OF man-the last man in the world to
think Of taking his life in such a man
ner."
Mr.. Stedman was born in Hartford.
Conn., in 1876. He was the third son OF
Maj Griffin S. Stedman. An older brother.
Brig Gen Griffin A. Stedman. was killed
in battle during the civil war. Edmund
Clarence Stedrnan was his first cousin.
In 1880 he married a daughter OF Dr. z.
Marcy, the famous physician OF New
York he had no children
IN his profession Mr.. Stedman was
prominent as an authority or iEterna-
tiOnal law He took his degree from Yale
IN 1857 and entered Immediately upon the
study Of the higher branches OF the law.
His name has figured prominently many
times in the discussions Of international
arbitration he was a member Of the
University, Upion League. and Yale clubs.
and OF the New England Society OF New
York