BROKER SHOT IN HIS OFFICE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9368, 10 February 1909, Page 7

BROKER SHOT IN HIS OFFICE.

MADDENED CLIENT'S CRIME. Mr Harry B. Suydam, one of the most popular kerb brokers in New York, was shot in his office, in Broad street, almost opposite the Stock Exchange, by an, electrical inventor, named John Lnmsden, and died of the wound next day. Mr Lnmsden claimed that MrSuydam was withholding from him the proceeds of an invention which, as his agent, the broker had placed with a company. Mr, Suydam was taken to the hospital at death’s door, and his assailant was lodged in the Tombs. s The affray took'place before a large plateglass window of Mr Snydam’s office, which is on the first floor of a Broad street “sky-scraper, ” It was, just at the busy time of the day, and hundreds of kerb brokers, most of whom were friends of Mr Snydam, were gathered in the street, under the window, and were horrified spec- ] tators of the struggle. Just what passed between the men is not known, but Lnmsden used very violent language. Suydam apparently tried to pacify his visitor, but suddenly George Downs, Suydam’s private clerk, who was in the next room, heard his master oiy, < “Help! He’s going to., shoot I’ ’ Downs rushed in headlong and grappled with Lnmsden, hut the latter was a powerful man in a furious temper, and succeeded in wrenching himself out of the clutch of the clerk. Downs was attacking him again when Lnmsden fired under Downs’ arm, and the shot hit Saydam immediately in the centre of the breast. * As the broker fell Lnmsden fired a second shot wildlv, and the bullet shattered the window. All this happened in a few seconds, but the crowd of brokers outside was excited to the higbest pitch. When the window smashed they rushed in and found Downs and Lnmsden grappling on the floor, each Clutching for the revolver. Suydam was in a heap at the foot of ihis Police followed the clamouring brokers, and while the dying Snydam was taken off to the Hudson Hospital Lnmsden was overpowered after a desperate struggle. He was taken at once to the police headquarters and charged with murder. He claims that he fired in self-defence, but the clerk and some brokers who l were watching through the window scout the idea. Little further business was done on ■ the kerb. Among his colleagues Mr Suydam was a high favourite, and 3 some brokers were quite overcome by the tragedy. He lived at Plain- ] field. New Jersey, an important residential centre, where he was a pro mineut local leader and a member of the Council.

Ha was found to be shot through the lungs, and bleeding internally. Before relapsing into nnoonsoiousness he made a statement to the effect that Lumsden demanded money from him and threatened to kill him if he did nob give it. The inventor has been in financial difficulties for some time past, and it is believed that his troubles preyed upon him, rendering him depserate to the verge of madness.