New-York tribune., 1907-01-25
W. WHITLEY KILLED.
SHOT BY YOUNG NAN.
Murderer attempts Suicide-MotiUe
of Crime in Doubt.

London Jan PA dramatic tragedy startled
London to-day when William Whiteley. one OF
the most prominent figures in the business
world, was shot dead in his store by a youth
claiming to be his son. The assassin then at
tempted to blow out his own brains
The following penciled statement was found
on Mr. Whiteley's assailant:
To all whom it may concern: William White
ley is my father. This twOfOld tragedy is due
10 his refusal of request which is perfectly
reasonable. r. l. P.
There was only small sum Of money in the
mans pockets, and other indications that he had
come 10 the end OF his resources. This sug-
gests that the crime may have been the out
come Of the mans poverty.
The name OF WhiteIey has become a household
word in England. owing to the enormous de-
partment store In London run by a company
OF which Mr.. whiteley was president 1t was
the pioneer in such enterprises.
The crime was committed soon after midday.
An unknown young man had a private interview
with Mr.. Whiteey in the Iatter's office where the
two men remained clOssted for few moments.
AS Mr.. Whiteley emerged from HIS Office il
observed that the young man was following and
fmportUning him. while Mr. Whiteley was wav-
ing his visitor Off and threatening to call the
police. Suddenly the young man whipped out
revolver and fred two shots point blank at
Mr. Whiteley. The bullets lodged IN Mr.. White
leys head and he fell dead Before the assassin
could be seized ne turned his weapon upon him
self and inflicted what is believed to be a mortal
wound. At late hour tonight he was lingering
between life and death.
The personality OF the assassin and the mo-
tives for his crime enveIoped in much unys-
tery. He gave the name Of Cecil Whiteley. but
| relatives OF William Whiteley say they have no
knowledge OF him. The police found no papers
or other written matter on his person to lead to
the establishment OF his identity but they dis
covered his place of residence and learned that
he never had called himself Whiteley there
The clothing Of this young man bore the ini-
| tials III P.'' The police are Of the opinion that
| the motive for this crime. when discovered. will
show that there We're present none of the ele-
ments of revenge for personal injury, but rather
| that the attack was result OF a fancied grtev-
ance
The store was crowded with shoppers at the
| time and a serni-panc followed the tragedy. A
| force of police was quickly the scene. the
public was elected from the building and the
doors were closed. A witness of the shooting
said:
| "A we'll dressed man. wearing a high hat, ap-
\ preached the desk Of the head cashier and
asked to ses Mr. whiteley. intinating that he
/ was acquainted with the merchant. The
/ stranger did not give his name. but a messags
was sent to Mr.. whiteley. who gave instructions
i 20 have the visitor sent TO him After a short
\ interview Mr.. Whfteey and the stranger came
/ out of the formers office. and just as they ap-
i parently parting the visitor drew re-
volver from his pocket and fired twice at AIR.
| Whiteley. Both bullets entered his head. close
/ to his ear. and he fell dead on the spot The
employees OF the store alarmed at the shooting.
rushed TO the scene. but were unable to secure
II -
on himself The latter, as he was being placed
| in ambulance, opened his eyes and saidi
| L know. did IL
William Whiteley. who chairman of the
| board of directors Of William WhteIey Limited.
was one Of the oldest and best known merchants
| IN London. The present Whitelsy Company was
| registered June 2 1899. take the business
/ of drapers provision merchants. furnishsrs," and
so on. OF William Whitsley. with an authorized
| capital of S45OO.0OO Mr. Whiteley was elected
| chsirman and W. Whiteley, tr. son Of the head
/ OF the concern. appointed secretary.
| Mr Whteley was born farm near Wake
field. Yorkshire, in 1881. and was apprenticed On a
| drvaoods merchant in Wakefield. He came TO Lon
don in 1851 with $50 IN his pocket. obtained employ
| ment in a store in the Ludgate Hill district. and
/ after he had saved small sum of money he col
/ Iected more from some Of his friends until MS
capital reached $500. Mr.. Whteley opened small
store in Westbourne Grove, In lS6S with two girl
| assistants and an errand boy Four years later he
II
| added second the original establishment
and gradually expanded his business until the
| Whiteley stores covered block and gave employ
/ ment to five thousand persons He was ready TO
| suDpIv ANYTHING from a needle to elephant"
/ and the retail dealers in WhiteIeys neighborhood
/ were at one time angry at the success or the
.y,ntversal Provider" as Mr.. Whteley was termed.
/ that they burned his effigy in public. MI White-
/ lev could be found at his store up TO O'CLOCK IN
/ The evening for five nights in the week
/ The WhiteIey store. which was one OF the
| show places OF London. Is known 10 many thou
| sands OF Americans. Mr.. Whiteley aimed at pro-
yiInr everything needed from the time of child s
/ birth 10 death at any Including medical at
| Tendance and the funeral. He supplied servants.
/ actors tutors. cOuriers. SoNerneSseS, ana SO on
aid an express business. sold railroad and steam
! ship tickets and yachts. In fact. the King OF
| Westbourne Grove as the Universe! Provlder
| was also known. aimed 10 sell everything salab!e
| effect that two army officers made bet on the
bi.t of his ability to furnish everything wanted
one Of the officers wagered that Mr. Whtteley could
| furnish ANYTHING the other officer named The
| latter took the bet and said he wanted six Gle
/ nhants The first officer said he felt certain Mr-
| WhiteIev could furnish them. and after privately
| communicating with the merchant went to his
store with the second officer later In the day. To
| the astonshment of the latter the six elephants
| were produced. Mr.. Whiteiey had obtained them
| from a menagerie.
ISABELLA BEECHER HOOKER DEAD.