New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-22
WE. BOStelmann, Accused
in $l,O00,000 Failure,
a Suicide.
$250,000 TAKEN FROM
F. PROBST & co.
Trusted Employe Plunges
from Office Window to
Busy Street.

Afraid 10 face the consequences Of
his theft William F. Bostelmann. gen
eral manager and cashier of Frederick
Probst e. Co., commission merchants,
of So Beaver ST., which failed for ST.
100000 ten days ago, partly because Of
his peculations, leaped from the fifth
floor window on the Pearl ST. side of
the building at o'clock yesterday
morning and was killed. His thefts
from the concern are vaguely estimated
at from $4,000 20 S25O,OOO.
He had confessed some days ago. On
hiE aeS', 20 the office W.T. an ea,eiops
addressed TO his wife, containing Sl2
and this note:
"Goodby. Kiss the children and
father for me. could not help it.
WILLIAM"
Bostelmann was forty-fye years old.
His home was at 25 Addison av., Ruth
erford, y. J. There live his wife, his
four children and his father, Rudolph
S. J. Bostelmann, retired merchant.
He and his wife were active in church
and social affairs.
Bostelmann had been with the
Probst concern since he was twelve
years old. For the last fifteen years
he had been its confidential repre-
sentative, holding the power Of attor-
rey. Early this month It became ap-
parent that the house, one OF the
Oldest in this city. could not continue
because Of its decreasing assets and
constantly increasing liabilities. What
was responsible was not definitely
known.
On November II an assignment to
creditors was made, the liabilities
totalling over $1,OOO,oOO, Adolph Victor,
sole owner of the concerns stock, nam
ing Joseph VI. Proskauer, Of 10 Broad
way.
Theft Wrecked Business.
Much Of the rest Of the story is con-
tanned IT, this extract from a state
men. issued yesterday by Richard l.
Dwight. attorney for Mr.. Proskauer:
"A public accountant was immedi-
ately placed on the books by the as
signee, and in the course Of his in
vestigations discovered certain irregu-
larities on the books, for which he de-
manded an investigation of Mr.. Bostel-
mann. Mr.. Bostelmann evaded an e1-
rlaration, and later communicated
with my client. who has been confined
to his bed with illness for the last
week. admitting irregularities for
which he. Bostelmann, was respon-
siblc. Il is believed that the embar-
iassment Of Frederick Probst & Co.,
is partially due to these irregularities.
and a thorough investigation is being
made by the accountants for the as
sgnee."
How much Bostelmann stole has not
been determined The amount is
vaguely estimated at between $4,000
and S250,000.
He did not tell his wife the source
of his worry, and apparently made no
one a confdant in that respect. for no
exclamation of how his money went
LAS been revealed. When he left home
Yesterday morning there was given 10
iis family no evidence OF his situation
or a suggestion that he had decided on
q way out.
Cheery Before Suicide.
His greeting 20 the elevator man
when ne reached the Office building
inst before o'clock yesterday morn
ng was vigorous and hearty. In few
minutes he was in his Office on the
ffth floor. writing. About that time
am employe. stepping into Bostel-
mann's office. found il empty and a
roar window open. The elevator man
who had taken Bostelmann up was on
The sidewalk in Pearl ST. looking at
the body Of a man who had Jumped
from the fifth floor.
That's Mr. Bostelmann,' said the
operator. o,, .,.-
nolice station, was there further denti-
fed BY Hermann Z. J. Bostelmann, also
a employe OF the Probst concern, as
that of his elder brother.
A telephone message was sent to
Continued on page s, column