The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-12-19
Inventor Tries to Kill
Henry B. Suydam in
New York Office.
TRAGEDY In HEART OF
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
------
Broker Rushed to Hospital Dam
gerousiy Wounded. and AS.
saiiaut Locked Up.
LUNSDEN'S STOCK USED
ASA0AN COLLATERAL
Demanded Cash from Victim,
Their Opened Fire and
Fought With Captors.
Especial to the Evening star.l

Special to the Evening StarI
NEW YORK. Dec 1s.-Henry 3. Suy-
dam, a mining stock broker and one
of the most prominent citizens of Plain
field. y j.. was shot and dangerously
wounded today at a window in his
office at 80 Broad street by John c.
Iusasder. an enraged inventor, who
had declared that suydam was trying
TO defraud him.
When Suydam saw Lumsden draw
his revolver he called to his young
clerk, George A. Downs, for help and
il was while Downs was having q des-
rerate struggle With the inventor that
Lunlsden managed. to poke his revolver
between the clerks arm and his body
and dre two shots at Suydarn.
rhe struggle in the window of suy-
danl's Office was Witnessed by two hun:
dred brokers and messengers, AS the
men swayed about. the brokers thought
it a bit of horsa-play, such as is com
mon among the brokers when not trad-
ing. and the sound of the shots gave,
them their FIRST warming that q real
tragedy was being enacted.
At the breaking of the window glass
the brokers rushed to Suydam's office,
and when Lumsden was led from the
building there were 1000 men awaiting
him in the street. The crowd surged
about the inventor and for few min
utes the police reserves had a hard
task in protecting their prisoner.
Mr.. Suydam was elected to the Plain
field Common Council year ago and is
chairman of the aims committee and
member of the license committee, the
public affairs committee and the fire
and buildings committee. On last
Thursday night he was elected presi-
dent Of the mems club of the Church
of the Heavenly Rest.
News TeIephoned TO wife.
His wife was notified by telephone
that her husband had been injured.
They have no children.
When Lumsden called at Suydams
office, which is directly over the curb
market, he and the broker stood at
front window in Suydan1's office in full
view of Suydams fellow members OF
the curb market as they traded in the
street below They We're in animated
conversation, it is understood, Lums-
claimed was due him.
Suddenly Suydam called to Downs to
seize Lu1nsden, as he was going to
shoot. Downs rushed to his employers
aid and struggled with Lumsden for the
possession of the revolver which the
inventor had drawn. While Downs
held him, Lumsden reached under his
arm and fired two shots at Suydam,
one of which took effect in his left
breast below the heart. The other
bullet went out of the window
Downs then seized the revolver and
was threatening Lumsden with 1t when
w H. Collins, the agent of the build
ing, interposed and possibly saved
Lunisden's life. Collins and Downs kept
Lumsden a prisoner until the police
arrived. 9'.
Lumsden lives at s1s West Fifty
seventh street, this city.
Lumsden's stntemept.
When questioned by the police Lums-
den said:
"Suydam owed me $3.50, and has owed
1t for a long time, and l needed the
money. He gave me notes for money
which he had raised on collateral which
/ had given him. asked for the money
frequently, !, and this morning went
down with the expectation of getting
il. was told to walt until after the
market had opened, and I sat down.
Then three men jumped on me, and [
picked UP a pistol from somewhere and
shot"
George A. Downs denied the prison.
er's statement and declared that Suy-
dam owed Lurnsden nothing.
S,,..s a...;rcrf,. stock tn Get Loan.