New-York tribune., 1921-01-02
Julian Dick in Critical
Condition as Result Of
Accidental Discharge Of
Pistol in His Home
George B. Brooks
Pulled Trigger
" eapon He Carried in
War Adds Tragic Finale
10 Gay New Year Revel

Julian Dick, thirty y-four years old, a
member of the New York Cotton Ex-
change and son Of Frank NJ. Dick, of
E. F. Hutton e. Co., cotton brokers, If
il Broadway, was taken to New York
Hospital yesterday morning in criti-
al condition from a bullet wound in
he abdomen. The shot had been fired
accidentally at the close of New
Years. party in bis apartment, by one
Of his best friends, George Bruce
Srooks, son of the late Belviderc
Brooks, vice-presidcnt and general
manager of the Western Union Telc-
graph Company.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dick gave New Years
party at their residence, Sniffin Court,
in East Thirty sixth Street, which did
not break up till after dawn, as many
two to start to leave were Mr.. Brooks,
who lives at 167 Madison Avenue, and
George Ridgely, Of Boston.
According to Mr.. Dicks father, who
is convinced that the shooting was an
accident, his son and Brooks have been
chums for years. Mrs Dick said her
husband was urging Brooks to stay
longer and was calling his attention to
the warmth of the fire when Brooks, on
his way to the door, picked up q Colt
AS that was in holster on table.
Recognizes His Own Weapon
Both men had been captains in the
artillery and served abroad, and
Brooks exclaimed: "Why, this looks
like my pistol!' drawing it from the
holster.
"Yes. that is yours" replied Mrs.
Dick. "Ycu remember, you left 1t here"
While Brooks was toying with the
revo.ver it went off. Dick gasped
81 must be shot"
1t was found that the bullet had en-
tered his back above the abdomen DR..
F. W. Taylor, Of 112 East Sixtieth
Street, and another physician were
summoned, and Mr.. Dicks father was
sent for.
Mr.. Dick. was rushed to New York
Hospital and remained on the operat-
ing table four hours. Last night it was
reported at the hospital that his con-
dition was exceedingly critical and
may prove fatal.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon the
wounded mans father, accompanied by
Brooks and two lawyers, went to the
East Thirty-tifth Street station. They
described the details of the shooting
to Detectives Byrne and Forst The
police II titled Assistant District Attor-
ney Burchell
After hearing their statements, Mr..
Burchell said he was convinced that
the shooting was accidental.
Brooks was allowed to depart with
out a technical charge being booked
against him. He was overcome with
grief as he left the station.
Royal E. T. Riggs, of Rector Street,
d lawyer, speaking for both families,
said the last thing that entered the
minds of anybody was the notification
Of the police.
mot soul thought Of the police
until the middle of the afternoon, he
said "All we thought of was Julian
Dicks condition. No two men could
have been dearer friends than Julian
Dick and Bruce Brooks. | don't know
which would be worse off in this awful
affair-Julian Dick dead or Bruce
Brooks alive"
Father Absolves Brooks
The father last night issued state
ment 10 all thc newspapers III WHlch
he said that Brooks and his son were
the closest Of friends, and he was sat
isfied that the shooting was the un-
fortunate result of an accident.
Julian Dick was a member Of the
Princeton class Of 1908. He enlisted
as d private in the regular army in
May, 1917, and was sent to the officers
training school at Fortress Monroe
At the end Of the war he was captain
in the 5Sth Coast Artillery, serving
abroad with the American Expedition
AIRY Forces.
Brooks is brother Of Captain Belvi-
dere Brooks, Of New York, Of the 308th
Infantry, who was killed in France and
after whom n post Of the American
Legion has been named.