Fred Yerke and John Schriber suicide pact

Here rests Frederick “Fred” Yerke, a young man whose short life reflects the hardships and emotional strain faced by many working-class families in early 20th-century Tonawanda.

Fred Yerke was 26 years old and lived with his parents on Erie Street. Like many young men of his generation, he struggled to find steady work during a period of economic uncertainty. He was known to be inseparable from his boyhood friend, John Schrier, a companionship so close that local newspapers described them as “life-long chums.”

On January 31, the two young men met at a saloon on Main Street. What followed shocked the community. After sharing a final drink together, they died within minutes of one another. Newspapers of the time reported that their deaths appeared to have been planned together, though the exact reasons were never fully understood.

Authorities noted that both men were unemployed, and speculation ranged from despair over their circumstances to youthful bravado. No clear explanation was ever found. Fred Yerke passed first, with his friend dying shortly thereafter.

The tragedy drew wide attention and sorrow throughout Tonawanda, serving as a stark reminder of the silent struggles many faced—especially young men caught between expectation, economic hardship, and limited support.

Fred Yerke was laid to rest here, his grave a quiet testament to a life ended too soon and a chapter of local history that speaks to compassion, remembrance, and the importance of community care.