New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-10
Stiassny Inquiry Continued,
Schultze, His Assistant
Despite Verdict of DR..
Nephew Is Questioned
Richard Epstein, Will Beneh-
ciary, Examined nj District
Attorneys Office

In spite Of the fact that Or. Otto
II. Schultze. medical assistant 20 Dis
trict Attorney Swami, decided that Mrs.
Sarah ". Stiassny shot and killed her
self IN her apartment, 2i5 West Nine
,y-eiehth Street. last Wednesday morn
ing. the District Attorney continued his
investigation yesterday By examining
Richard Epstein, her cousin and prin-
cipal beneficiary under her will. Young
Epstein lived in the apartment with
Mrs. Stiassny, ard IL was he who said
he found her in bed with his revolver
cutched in her hand.
Assistant District Attorney Dooling,
after fve-hour examination OF Ep-
stein. announced that he was FAR from
satisfied with the suicide theory, and,
taking Detective Jones. Of his staff, he
went to the apartment and examined
the personal accounts of Epstein. who
had managed Mrs. Stiassny's estate for
her for five years.
Cousin Needed Capital
Her will, made July 4 last, bequeathed
20 Epstein FIVE pieces OF improved prop
erty in New York and 40 per cent %
her residuary estate. Epstein told Mr..
DoOllng that his cousin had paid him
Sl25 q month and given him his board
and clothes. Besides that SHE gayc him
every year her note for $4,000. At the
L. L. Ill q
at $4,000 against her estate. which
would be among the first claims. Every
month he collected $4,000 In rents for
her, he said, and added that he had
tired of the real estate business and
had wanted 20 embark on some busi-
ness enterprises Of his own. but lacked
capital.
Epstein explained the fact that Mrs.
Stiassny was found dead In his bed by
saving that when he came home just
before midnight, after being QUE with
male friends 70 get the election re-
turns. she came 20 his room and conf
planned that the street racket in Broad
wav kept her awake. and asked II no
would exchange rooms with her. Ep-
stein said he complied with her re.
quest and left his keys on his dresser,
which contained his revolver.
The next morning at 1880 the negro
maid. Dora Watts served coffee 10 Mrs.
/ Stiassny. Epstein says he was awak-
| ened az $3.50 by the telephone bell.
After answering It he went 20 ms own
room and, opening the door. saw his
cousin lying with the bedclothes hud-
/ died up 10 her chin and blood stream
ing from her right temple. lie saw me
barrel Of a revolver. and ran into the
Ill 60 "a fr|
/ Dooling that from that time until trl-
day morning he had not entered tho
room because he was SO unncryed
Epstein Eyades Suggestion
/ Epstein went % Nr Doolng's of'ce
with Isidore Hershfeld. an attorney
OF 80 Nassau Street, who is his co.
executor Of Mrs. Stiassny's will Mr..
Hershfeld is also a beneficiary. Mr.
Dooling suggested several times tnas
Epstein lie down on the couch m the
prosecutors room and illustrate the
position Mrs. Stiassny's body was n
when ne first saw it. Epstein evaded
the suggestion until Mr. Doohng COM
manded him 10 DO az ne was tod.
In order 70 determine whether re-
volver shots fred In the room where
the woman lay could be heard plainly
in the room across me nau "i.l DolH
doors closed. Mr.. DOOling made ar
engagements 20 have test maze 20
dav Epstein insisted that he heard 70
shots. although two bullets were louhd
! in Mrs. Stiassny's body.
DR.. Sehuitze's autopsy showed max
one entered under the left breast ana
passed through the stomach. The other
/ entered the right temple ana passed
/ through the brain. Powder marks were
I found AZ the entrance Of each wound,
showing that the revolver Was red
ciose to the body. Or. Schultz said no
\ believed 10 was possible Tor MIS-. NtI-
essny 10 have had the strength % pres ;
the muzzle firmly against her BODY am
head and still pull the trigger oil ths
revolver. which worked with unusual
resistance.
Find Empty Cartridge
Detectives Jones and ka.z found ne
missing empty cartridge yesterday. -
was in the pipe trap under the Laundry
Tub The maid said she gathered up
tho sheet and Mrs. Stiassny's kimono
and rinsed them out in the t1O. 10
theory ia that the shell fell out Of tha
revolver when the policeman "oroKe' u
and eluded discovery. ..,.
NJ Dooling viii submit the sulcids
note found on the bed TO handwritin;
ovnerts II was written on a sheet %
paper which Epstein says ne purchased
ate lest week at a Broadway station
er's lie said he had carried the snees
folded in his pocket. and left II among
his KEYS and found pen on his
dresser when Mrs. Stiassny occupied
his room.