The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-07-22
SHOOTS TIFFANY
FOREMAN; KILLS
SELF FOR GRUDGE
Blaming William Van POSI- for
Lost Job, David Burgoyne
Tries to Slay Him.
OPENS FIRE BEFORE CROWD
IN RIDGEFIELD PARK
Women Waiting for Train Faint
as Assailant Springs from Hid
ing Place, Pistol in Hand.

TBy Long Distance Telephone from a Staff
Correspondent
RIDGEFIELD PARK, July 22-
William Van POSI-, foreman of the jew
elry department of Tiffany's, in Fifth
former employee of the store, while
ready to board a New York, Susque-
hanna and Western train at 7:15 o'clock
today for Manhattan.
Four shots were fired from 49,
calibre revolver by Burgoyne One of
the shots took effect, one in the left
leg, but the wound is not considered
serious.
After Burgoyne fired the shots he
turned the revolver upon himself, and,
in view of hundreds of people waiting
to take the train, sent bullet crash
ing through his brain. He was dead
when number of men rushed to the
spot near the station where he fell
The greatest excitement prevailed.
and women became hysterical. Bur
goynes body was removed to the
morgue in Hackensack Nothing is
know concerning his recent move
ments prior to the tragedy
Burgoyne went to the house of Var
| POSI-, whom he had been greatly an
noying because of the incident of Bur-
goyne's discharge from Tiffany's en-
ploy. He asked for his jewelers. tools
left the place and returned shortly, ask
ing to have his tools sent to John
street, New York. Mrs. Van Posi- ac-
companied her husband to the door, and
It Is believed that the presence of the
woman prevented Burgoyne from max
ing an attempt to kill Van POSI- at that
time.
Lay waiting in Bushes.
Van POSI- started this morning for the
railroad station with Edward e. Parker
The men were passing through the
small park about ten feet from the
station when Burgoyne suddenly jumped
from the cover of a small clump OF
bushes and started to fire. His aim
was poor. however, and both m n were
soon out of range, running to the sta
| ton.
| Van POSI- locked himself In a small
room and looked through the keyhole
He saw his would-be slayer reload his
revolver. and a second later heard the
shot which made Burgoyne a suicide.
| 1t is believed that the first bullet
Hreu SIruck van fOSl, Dut IN the eX-
! citement he did not know that he had
I been wounded.
| r. NJ. Hyde, superintendent tor Tiff
| fany & Co., today said to a reporter for
THE EVENING STAR that Burgoyne
had formerly worked in the jewelry
department and severed his connection
with the establishment in February
going into the real estate business In
Staten Island. He was unsuccessful In
business. and of late had continually
sought reinstatement to his former
position as a 1eweler.
wouldn't Reemploy Burgoyne.
He interviewed Mr.. Van POSI- and
others connected with the various de-
partment often, but was not given en-
ployment. 1t Is believed that he har-
bored a grievance against Mr.. Van
POSI-. whom he imagined was discrimi-
mating against him.
Burgoyne was about 40 years old, of
pleasant appearance. He was neatly
attired in a light suit of clothes.
People who observed him about the
station said that he had the appearance
of maniac. 1t Is considered almost
miraculous that some of the bullets
fired did not hit members of the throng
at the station.