The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-12
MIR. FLiTT'S SUICIDE.
One of Railways Leading Citixens shooting
Himself In a Fit OF Dependency

At about . 80 o'clock yesterday morning
Mr.. William II. Flat. for many years one II
the most popular and apparently one OF the
wealthiest citizens Of Railway. y. j.. committed
suicide by shooting himself through the head
with double barrcled gur.
Mr. Flat was about 50 y ,ars of age. and had
lived in Railway from the time he was mere
boy He began business as carriage manu-
facturcr when very young. ana although begin
ming with only 500 cash capital his industry
and economy secured for him u handsome for
tune He became one OF tho foremost carriage
manufacturers in this country. but some years
ago no abandoned the business. and began To-
speculate largely in real estate. When the war
broke out he was interested 10 some extent in
business in the South and lie lost great deal
Of money. At that time he gave employment TO
Il hundred men in Railway. He owned large
amount Of valuable property in that town. and
had besides. n handsome cottage In Ocean
Grove whore his family spnnt the summer
months; hut real estate In Railway ms else,
where. has greatly depfeclHted ia Nalue' ana
much u llr. Flats wealth was swept away b>
the downfall, The failure OF certain banks, to-,
embarrassed him. aud most OF his property WAS
heavily mortgAgol. Before encountering these
reverses Mr.. Flat was II strong. healthy man.
passionateiy fond ot out-ol-d99r SPORTS: he
dinHrily short doubo-barreNed br"ech-loadng
gun Of which he WIS very fond Oi late. how
r.
was Increased By an attack II maariul fever.
from which he had suffered for some weeks.
ON Wednesday Mr.. Flat went away from
halfway To transact some lmportAht business;
1t was understood on his return tia, he had
arranged to have some money or documents
sent 20 him yesterday morning. hn arose early.
and. after break fusting. went to his otllce near
his house in Irving street. Here messenger
for him in the Post Onlrr. He seemed greatly
disappointed. and exclaimed. Then iiry
haven't sont H." He walked ny ana down ms
nsfffa for m limit ~
hurried 10 the Post ON 10 assure himself that
tho messenger was not mistaken. There WAS
nothing there for him. and he went straight
For some time past Mrs Flatt has been made
very uneasy 10y her husbands despondrni man
nrr. She knew OF his losses, ami when she
heard him last evening 20 up u ms bedroom
she followed him. She found him seated IN an
pnsy chnir and she at once attempted to sOOthe
and encourage him. saying that sac was pre-
pared 10 accept chcnriully any situation me ia,
turc might bring. Under her p'rsuasions anu
assurances his manner Frightened, and she
leit him at last apparently with renewed nope.
She started down the stairs. hut before she
renched the bottom tho report of u gun rang
through the house. iiurrinE unck - ne h,l-
room. she saw her husband lying dend' ihoe
downward on he loor as DE- nag 'rIn io'u
loader grasped IN his right hAnd, Whli" ,Lne
stock was hall hidden beneath ms BODY I4e
burned powder showing that no must have
| cnspod il very close to the mu2zle, Inc top OF
| his head was completely blown on, me h9rr1,
| fled vito rushed shricking to tue hall door, ANA
! gave the nlarm in the street. throug quickly
| collected IN front OF the house. Hni Justice la-
Nid j. Bum being summoned, viewed the noiy,
| and tclegrAphcd TO Elizabeth for County Physl-
| clan Terrll. That uillrrr On his arrival made
an examination, and declaring an Inquest to be
unnecessary gave an order Tor burial.
| Mr. Flatt leaves five chiflren-three daugh-
| tors all married, and two sons. Notwithslant-
| ing his heavy losses It Is believed that his
widow and family will be in comfortable cir
| cumstunces.
| a., ltrfar 10 or