The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-02-17

Just wait. please Mr.. Randolph
said to the chauffeur II will be with
you in Ave minutes"
Then he closed the door, went into
his smoking den, secured doubie
barreled shotgun, which he has often
used as as4seNil'er OF the Mouptainsis
ei''s Club. and walked down 70 Ss5
feeuar.
There he TOOK o peker from near tlle
/ furnace ana entered a coal bin. sIae-
ing the barrel ends over his heart and
using the poker to explode the gup. he
discharged both barrels. There was a
tremendous report and Mrs. Randolph.
his 5-year-oid daughter Cola, and sew
eral servants rushed into the cellar
DIR. Randolph was found lying in the
coal bin, weltering in his own blood.
Death had been instantaneous. Mrs.
Randolph tainted and it was neces-
sary to call physician to restore her
to consciousness
Deputy County Physician Muta and
DR.. William NJ Brien were at once ap-
prised of the tragedy and rushed to the
house. The former at once pronounced
Mr. Randolph dead and gave his opin-
ION that il was a case OF suicide.
Thomas a. Edison, when told of tho
tragedy. was deeply affected. He made
the following statement to an EVEN
ING STAR reporter;
John + Randolph was one of my
best friends, and one with who | have
been identified ever since the Menlo
Park days. He started work with me
as an Office boy, and through his
ability worked his way into the treas
urership of all the Edison companies.
His accounts are in absolutely sound
condition and he has always manipu
lated the finances of our companies in
a thoroughly buslness-like manner. He
was one of the men | most highly
priced, both for his business ability and
personal qualities
II am convinced that his mad act
was due TO inherited insanity. His
brother died several months ago in the
State Asylum for the Insane at Tren-
ton. where he was an inmate l can
recall that on one occasion Mr. Rar~
dolph absented himself for two weeks
from his business. with no explanation
Investigation revealed tho fact that
there was u taint of insanity in his
family"
The brother referred to by Mr.. 5di-
son was George #. Randolph. of Me-
tuchen. who died at the State Hos
pital for the Insane at Trenton, on
July 26, last year, Of typhoid fever. lie
was committed for the first time 10 the
asylum on January .. 1905. and was re-
leased and recommitted three or four
times later suffering from recurrent
attacks of insanity.
At the time of the suicide. Eivian.
the l3-year-old daughter of Mr.. RAN
dolph had started for the West Orange
High School A servant was sent after
her and she was brought back TO the
home, where her father lay dead.
Mr.. Randolph was treasurer Of the
Edison Phonograph Company, the Ma
tional Phonograph Company Edison
Manufacturing Company, Edison Stor-
age Battery Company and the Edison
Portland Cement Company He had
been thirty years in Edison's employ,
and was one of the ten oldest men in
point Of service in the employ of the
wizard of electricity.
Besides acting as treasurer TO the
Edison companies. Mr. Randolph was
also private secretary to Mrs. Thomas
A. Edison. One of the letters he wrote
last night was addressed to Mrs. Edit
son. Among the other letters were sew
eral addressed to the heads Of depart
ments of the various Edison companies
None of those who received these let
ters cared to discuss their contents TO-
day
Mr. Randolph was fifteen years old
when he started work for Edison. lie
was forty-five years old at the time Of
his death.
Denials We're officially made today
from the Edison offices that the suicide
was caused as result Of overworiS
II was stated that Mr. Randolph had
every possible assistance in his dasiss.