Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-03-29
GEORGE VIRTUE
STAYS HIMSELF
At RESIDENCE
Former Sheriff Found Dying in
Bathroom from Throat
Wound.
FINANCIAL TROUBLE
is BLAMED FOR ACT
Made Heavy Investments in
Real Estate Development in
Southern Part of City.

George Virtue, former shelf OF
Essex county, and president of the
clinton Park South Improvement
Company, committed suicide at his
residence, 691 Elizabeth avenue, to-
day. Financial troubles, In connec-
ton with real estate business in the
south end district of Newark, 1t Is
said. caused him to end his life.
Some months ago he was involved in
legal proceedings over some of his
holdings and foreclosure suits were
instituted.
While Mr. Virtue was still the
president of the Clinton Improve
ment Company South the office was
held in a nominal capacity. The
company is and has been controlled
for some time by Stephen Harrison
and q. A. Kirch. Tt Is in no sense
involved by Virtues financial
troubles, which were purely his per-
sonal affairs.
Held Third Interest.
Mr.. Harrison said today that Mr..
Virtues accounts with the Clinton
Hill Improvement Company were
correct. He explained that the
former sheriff held a one-third In
terest in the firm. Some time ago
Mr.. Virtue told Mr.. Harrison the
IOfIl6T WAs WOIln PoVsVVV oNOi eAh
liabilities.
Mr.. Virtue was formerly in the pro-
duce commission business on Com
merce street and was widely known
throughout the State. OF recent years
he invested in real estate, and 1t is
said that much of his fortune be-
came tied up In speculation of this
sort.
Shortly after o'clock this morning
lIr. Virtue left his bed room and
entered the bathroom on the second
floor of his home. Five minutes after
ward his son Arthur, passing the door
OF the bathroom to go downstairs,
heard groans, and, calling to his
brother Howard, pushed open the
door His father was found lying
on the floor, his throat having been
gashed with a razor. A hurry call
was sent to DIR. William r. Ward, of
112 Chancellor avenue, but before he
arrived the former sheriff was dead.
Mrs. Virtue was prostrated when
told her husband was dead. The news
of how he met his death was kept
from her until later In the day. She
was told that he had suffered re-
currence of a paralytic stroke which
he had several years ago.
Born In England.
Mr.. Virtue was born In England
March 10, 1855. He came to Newark
in 1859 and always resided in the
southern section of the city. He was
educated in this city, and began his
business career as q salesman for a
shoe firm. Later he embraced the
grocery business with his brothers.
In the late eighties Mr.. Virtue
started in the produce commission
business on Commerce street, retir-
ing in 1908 to enter the real estate
field.
In 1899 Mr.. Virtue was elected
.heriff on the Republican ticket. He
previously was elected alderman from
the Ninth ward, serving in 1S95-s6 and
1e98-99.
During his term as sheriff Mr.. VIZ
tue officiated at several hangings in
teh Essex county Jail, refusing to al
low the county to hire an executioner
as was the custom
Stree he retired from the sheriff's
office he held no public office. His
residence was one Of the handsomest
IN the southern section OF the city.
Mr.. Virtue is survived by his widow
and eight children, who are Mrs. A.
w. Terhune, @. Ward Virtue, Mrs
r. B. Greacen, Mrs. l.. f. Caufleld,
William D.. Arthur, Howard and Miss
Helen.