Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1924-01-21
EDW. |. GR|DLEY
KILLS HIMSELF
At WOODBRIDGE
Despondent Over Financial
Difficulties Leads Former
Local Man to Shoot Self
AT RAILROAD STATION
Left Instructions for Burial in
His Pocket-WeII Known
in City and Township

WOODBRIDGE, Jan. 21.-Edward
L. Gridley, sixty-one. for several
years superintendent of the Chesa-
brough Manufacturing Company
plant at Perth Amboy but more re-
Gently engaged in other forms of oc-
cupation in New York. committed
suicide on the Pennsylvania Railroad
station platform here early Saturday
night. Dependency over business
reverses is given as the cause OF his
action.
The methodical manner in which
Mr.. Gridley had planned his own
death and for the disposition of MS
body was found in the specific IN
structions carried on his person. he
had written even the most minute
details as to what steps his relatives
should take following his death and
these are being followed out.
News OF the death of Mr.. Gridley
came as a surprise and shock to
those in Woodbridge and Perth Am
boy who knew the man well. 1t
had been rumored that family differ
ences had resulted in his going to
New York to live while his wife went
with hr married daughter. Mrs.
Malcolm Crowell in Metuchen. this
winter. Since this separation. said
to have been around Thanksgiving
time, Mr.. Gridley has been working
New York and at the time of his
death was employed as manager OF
the hardware department in Macy's.
He did not report for duty on Thurs
day, Friday or Saturday of last week,
sending word that he was i'll.
During these three days it IS
thought Mr.. Gridley reached the de-
cision to end his life and then care
ully arranged for his funeral ana
the disposition of his possessions.
1t is believed Mr.. Gridley came TO
woodbridge Saturday night on the
train which arrives here at 1884 al
though no one at the station recog-
nized him as he stepped to the plat
form. He is thought to have gone TO
the side of the station at once and,
taking a revolver from his pocket
messed it to his head above his right
ear and pulled the trigger. Although
the revolver was fully loaded, only
one shot was fred, death being in
stantaneous. No one heard the shot.
which was fired just as the train was
pulling out of the station.
Walter w. Perrine, the station
agent, discovered the body when
Law almost In front of the door lead
ing to the living apartments apoVe
the station, Thinking it was drunk
en- man and not making close ex-
animation, Perrine notified PATROL
man Albright, who at once saw II
was a case of suicide and that the
man was dead. DIR. B. w. Hoagland
and the coroner, DR.. joseph :. nay,
of Perth Amboy, were notifed anu
Inspected the body, permission pelns
given to remove it to Hirners
morgue.
pinned to Mr.. Gridley's overcoat
was 40 piece of paper bearing ms
name and requesting that a cousin
be notified of his death. Inc ga
nIicit directions for his funeral ana
disposition of personal matters were
also found in his clothing. Among
the requests contained in these notes
were that his body be cremated IN
Linden cemetery and that Rev. l..
" Buschman pastor of the Pres
bvterian church, of which he was
a member, officiate over the private
services to be held for him.
The deceased was born in New
York September "a, 1862. While
residing in Perth Amboy he played
prominent part in charitable and
civic Improvement undertakings,
having been active In the Home for
the Aged, Red Cross and other or
ganizations He was at one time
employed at the Barber Asphalt
Company's plant. Upon moving to
woodbridge about three years ago
a residence on the corner of Green
street and Barron avenue. was pur-
chased by Mr.. Gridley.
Cars washed and polished at wurgler's.
1B4 New Brunswick Avenue
ofE2-1.12-3ts