New-York tribune., 1878-06-24

rule he did not discuss his financial or other
troubles and his friends were of the class that
always stood ready to furnish pecuniary aid II called
upon to do sO
Mr.. WheelOck was a man of kind disposl-
tion, and when he was a successful operator
he performed frequent acts of charity. lie
was fond of society and gayety. He was out
wardly cheerful even at the height OF his
financial embarrassments and he was one OF the
last men who would have been thought of by his
intimate associates as likely to commit sui
eide. He was a man of good appearance ana
pleasant manners HIS hair was gray, and he had
gray mOustache. He had llOrid complexion and
expressive blue eyes. He was about feet inches
in height, and was erect in his bearing.
He moved slowly in a selfpOssessed manner and
he was ordinarily cool and collected, ready for an
argument and apt in retOrt. He was fond OF high
living and at times was very irregular in his habits.
Mr. WheelOck was well connected, and he was
on intimate terms with many influential bankers
and merchants. He had an Office at No. 10 Broad-st.
His brother ia William A. Wheelock, president OF
the Central National Bank.
STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS OF THE EXCHANGE.
prominent member of the Stock Exchange said
last evening that Mr.. WheelOck had for long
time been one of the best known meu in Wall
st. He had never been heavy operator,
but had frequently been interested in various
speculatiOns nearly all Of which had proved un-
fortunate. He was generally more or less embar-
rassed financially, principally on account OF
bad habits and intemperance. Probably no
man had been treated with more uniform
kindness by the members Of the Exchange
than Mr.. Wheclock. Last August he failed and was
suspended, but he effected a settlement with his
creditors and was readmitted to the Exchange in
October, and resumed the Office of chairman.
Shortly after he was again suspended on account OF
outside indebtedness, but the Governing Committee
allowed him to retain his position of chairman
At the annual election in May, although he was in
eligible for reelection, he declared himself a cand-
date This was characteristic of the man, as he
was noted for frmness which almost amounted to
obstinacy The result of the election was
undoubtedly a great disappointment to him, and he
then remarked to a member, ''lf things go on in
this way. shall kill myself" Little was thought
of the remark at the tme although it was repeated
to a few others.
Soon.after he sold his seat in the Stock Exchange
which realized nearly $1,000. But for this fact his
family would now receive $4,000 from the insur-
anco fund.- as is the case the death of
any member of the Exchange. The sale of
his seat surprised everybody on the street,
for although he had been thrown into
bankruptcy, he would have undoubtedly been dis
charged, as two-thirds Of his Indebtedness was to
his brother. who Is president of the Central
National Bank. His whole Indebtedness was
thought to be between $4,000 and $4,000.
His obligations TO the members OF the
Stock Exchange had all been satisfied by
the proceeds of his seat in the board, and on the
whole he was in much better financial condition
than he had been in for years. If he had retained
his seat he would not have found the slightest diff
Guilty in making comfortable income a broker.
His death would cause great surprise and regret in
Wall-st.
Brayton Ives, president of the Stock Exchange,
said last night that he saw Mr.. Wheelock
on Saturday. and he appeared much better than
usual His operations Of late had been unfortunate,
although not particularly extensive. For several
years Mr. Wheelock had been dissipated and loss
of business was the accompaniment, but whether
the cause or the sequel did not appear
member or the Stock Exchange for many years.
when told of Mr.. WheelOcks suicide, last evening,
said: although you bring me news, itreally doesn't
surprise ME any more than if | had been In
formed q week ago that he contemplated
IT, He was a man that held an honorable
and responsible position, but he abused it, For
many years he has drank to excess and his intem-
perance led him into other vices. At the Exchange
on days he altogether unfit to perform his
duties. In reality his constant intOxication was
the only cause of his recent defeat in the election
The fact of his having been in a crippled condition
financially did not cause his defeat. Many of his
old friends haveofen in recent years subscribed$5O
100 each to pay his debts Sometimes S3 600 has
been raised in this way. His debts incurred
through speculation, but this was supposed not to
be known The position he held would not allow
him to speculate openly in the street, the pre-
siding officer could not then give impartial deci-
sions. This violation Of the rules was overlooked,
and could have been continued if he had ceased
drinking Il is my belief however, that a few
months ago he made resolution to reform. l
think it was two weeks before the Exchange
election that had long and confidential talk with
him, during which he said he had not drank any
li0uor i'm three months. told him hoped he would
keep his pledge and he said he had taken his last
DROP The last time saw him about week
ago. He looked very gloomy and respondent.
spoke to him and he muttered some inCOherent re-
ply
Mr.. Wheelock was born in Providence, r. l., and
was ifty-six years old His father about 1880, was
the cashier of the old Merchants Bank of PrOvI-
dence. About S34 he came to New-YOrk and en-
gagged in brokerage in uncurrent money. His
family then consisted of four sons; the
only one now living is William A. Wheelock,
president of the Central National Bank. In 1910
Moses A. began business a stock broker. The
history Of his connection with the Stock Exchange
has been given above. He sold his seat in the Ex-
change and for the last three four weeks he has
been living on the proceeds Of the SALE He at
tempted to begin business again in the commission
line, lost money by outside speculations grew de-
spondent and took to drink. He leaves a wife and
three sons the youngest, who is sixteen years old,
being now at college.
ONLY A MISPLACED SWITCH.