New-York tribune., 1908-05-20
son KILLS e. E. STERRY
THEN ENDS OWN LIFE.
Brother Thinks Murderer of Drug
Dealer Vas Insane.

W IN
marry Miss Rachel Briggs Blaikie on June 2
when he was slain The marriage notice MAS
found in his pockets a letter written nv the
son George z. Sterry. jr told how the an
preaching marriage had brought about the .nur-
der and suicide II read:
/ took solemn cath that NV father nev,-
should disgrace the memory of my sainted
nother had my father engaged himself to \
lady a mature age ] would not-and certainly
none Of my brothers-wouid bid him more than
luch ana trust ne would live forever
All The murdered mans family opposed the
marriage Ii is said. George. jr being particu
larry bitter against it, ever since the anpae.-
nnent was announced last January He z,,as Gov
enty-tNo years old his prospective wife was
only thlrtE-tWo years old. Mr. Sterrx ,,-.s
wealthy his drug firm being one of rhe largest
in the city. and he was a big coal onerato-
Outside of his business Mr.. Sterry was equally
"eH known IN the American Bible Society and
the American Tract Society. The board of man
ayers Of the American Tract Society Was meet
ing a. The time. and when it heard of the shoot
Ing ADOPTED resolutions depiorins his tragic
death He did much charitable work on tbe
East side, making daily visits TO relieve s,,ffer
ing
MISS bIalk1e until short time ago was 2
A---+- -saIleh teacher IN Newark but recently
has been living with her sister in East Oranea
Her father. William Blaikie wrote a book called
idel
M Hterry left his home. in 74th street n so
70 The Offices Of Weaver & Sterr,- .ba,+ 1o |
O'Clock He was Joined at the office hz- his s,r !
James W Sterry, jr. and another son William,
IJe VIII Sterry, the treasurer Of the firm who |
lives IN Roselle Park, y. J. His nephew. Inert
stsrTy q No PA West Il4th street was also
there.
FATHER GREETS HIS SON
After greeting all Of them and talking with
them for 3 while Mr.. Sterry went 10 his nrivata
once. on the second floor. He remained there
la-i noon reading the market reports and
gong through his usual routine of business
Just before noon his son came TO the build
ING Most Of the employees were out at lunch /
con. but he met his brother as he entered and
spoke Pleasantly to him
de went into his fathers office and the two /
renamed there alone until the shooting The
ooof vas almost closed, and just what hap
qenea VIII never be known. From what can
be reconstructed by the evidence left after the
MURDER and suicide il would seem that Young
sterry removed his coat and then sat down
opposite his father, holding an open news
paper IN his hand. The father was reading
stock reports 1t is believed that while Young
sierTy sat there he held revolver behind his :
PAPER ana tired 10 dissuade his father from |
eaklns the steIJ-f1e contemplated When his
lslher refused TO do the son rose and step-
Ping couple Of PAGES forward shot his father :
through the right temple Then he seated him ,
sef again and placed the revolver close IN his ,
: cad behind the right and shot himself. t
The bullet shattered his skull 4,
SHOTS FRIGHTEN EVERY ONE
The two shots, coming closely together. h
harmed every one in the building Inert Sterry a
ran upstairs, and through the partly opened door
"a" the elder sterry sitting in his chair. with
ihe bullet wound in the head. He rushed down. d
stairs again, and for awhile there was 2 turmoil
Then some employees mustered up courage and n
entered the inner Office. The older man was still p
sitting At his desk, while The sen was in 4 chair r
Only few feet away. the revolver still in his o
hand. and an opened news spaper across his F
Eress L
Inert SterTy summoned a patrolman who L
when he found both men dead telephoned 10 S
Police Headquarters. William De Witt Sterry z
nad already done the same thing and DR. Still v
man '4s sent from the HUDSON Street House Of m
Re-let He said both men had died instantly IN
Captain Hogan arrived with the reserves about al
ne same 'ime and took charge of the office. II
penoirg the arrival Of Coroner Hamburger IN
When The coroner arrived he found the letter
II Young SterTys pocket, showing that it was IA
clearly q case Of murder and suicide This IN
written on the stationery Of the Manhattan ie
square Hotel where Sterry lived. was addressed Is
L flowing hand on the envelope, To Whom -
L Nay Concern" n
LETTER LEFT BY YOUNG sTERRY. Al
The letter Itself Was wild and rambling and 81
'E-'fen obviously by man greatly agitated, the -.
-aad being irregular and cramped, and the -
words run together and often misspelled. 1t -
ead eH
] took solemn oath ito MYSELF that my ma
ssheF sslheF should never disgrace the memory OF my
There IS no, 2 faint Of selHshness in me. had
y father engaged himself to a woman OF "
nature age ! would not-and certainly IF
/. pf9thers- would bic him more than luck and
~ n would live forever I certainly always
.sfe long and happy life for my old man" ID,
Z lem frequently affectonateIy used him) ID
lIs Is now u O'Clock, May 10 Now no one
~ my confidence but my brothers may draw
.9fclGsioa from my double murder.
heTe is Z point which struck particu- -
slN interesting. While riding down the +
Hlth avenue l. ] casted casual glances Sen
~ gSe around me as they doubtless on M. Sla
u'iSLf which desire TO convey is this. w.
- many thousands would have stared me out "
coun'e-ance had they known the prominent rep
1tloIe my double crime would warrant to- she
1TFo" SO
There is co1nicaI and laughable end 10 this -.
n Wou-d willingly give $500 Rachael b. ~
lehle To hear the beautiful and touching leai
ave- far the salvation OF my soul she VIII bee
~ uI Df course. am under a violent strain. Al
elE Of my sentences tand even Words may
!, De grammatical and many sentences be ''>
/. seems l. that God has told me TO do dist
~ propose doing / prayed God less ,in
A @ tN enfE times a day show some other f
= OUT - this trouble and I truthfUlly believe was
! has shown me the prope- way TO save my eral
-"- from disgrace peci
Al unsigned postscript began, TO repent
ssft. many words are doubtless misspelled." =
II THGry