The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-24
DESP0NDENCY AND DEATH.
En- CH.fIRMiN WHEELOCK or wan
STREET hILLS HIMSLLF.
waiting Untii his wife md his Son Returned
from Church Before Diacharging his Re-
voINer-H Ups and Downs In Wall street.

Waiting Untii his wife md hi. Son Returned
from Church Before Diacharging his Re-
voiVer Its Ups and Downs In Wall street.
Moses A. Whcclock. for many years Chair
man Of tho Stock Exchange. committed suicide
in his home. at SO East Tweny-third street
| yesterday. lie entered tho house some
time between 2 and o'clock in tho
morning. and he was very much intoxl-
Gated. He. however got up just before his
| wife and son started for church. and he seemed
then In better spirits than he had been in for
some time. He did not expect to go out. but
soon after his family wont to church he wont
away. seemingly in great hnste. When Mrs.
| Whoclock returned she found her husband in
the parlor He sat in nm easy chair near the
window that opens on to Twenty-thrd street.
and was tossing from ono hand to tho other
small revolver which he had had for n long
time. He looked up and made some remark to
his wiio. The words were unlntclligiblo. but
the tone was an angry one. His son saw that
he had boon drinking and he urged his mothor
to leave the room. Mr. Whcolock did not move
from his chair. but he continued to say some-
thing that could not be understood. but which
showed that he was moody and angry. After
some persuasion Mrs. Wheoock went with her
son TO n chamber above Then the son returned
to the parlor hoping to quiet his father and to
induce him to 50 u bed. Mr.. Whocock still
sat in tho easy chair. but his arm hung by his
side ana the revolver WAS on the floor. His head
had fallen lttlo forward and there was II bull
let hole in tho right temple. H. must have died
instantly. No one heard the report II the re-
volver but IA the son up stairs loss than five
minutes. 1t is believed that Mr.. wheelock waited
until he was certai that his wife was up stairs
ana then placing the, revolver t. his temple dis
charged II. Ho had often. In his despondent
| moods, threatened To TAX his llta.
MI. WheelQck Was very despondent after
| the last election of officers of the Stock EN-
change, and he also at times drank heavily, and
| conducted himself in such a manner that
his friends believed that his mind was affected.
income. He confidently expected roGloctOn
and was greatly troubled when he learned that
ne had been defeated. He did not know how or
wiere 10 look for business. and no had no prop
eriy excepting his sent Ia the Stock Exchange.
About two weeks ago. being entirely out of
money, he soughta purchaser for his seat in
the Stock Exchange. How much money he OBJ
tained for II IL not known, but II Is believed that
he was obliged to pay some Indebtedness before
he could make a clear transfer. and that what he
received was very small. some weeks ago Mr..
ily In tho house in which lie committed suicide.
because he was unable TO support a home OF his
own. This was also great grievance to him.
when his wife and son returned from church and
iounihim in the paror with his revolver in his
hand. and his angry words were caused
by annoyance Of the Interruption.
AT the Stock Exchange election. on the 18th OF
lhSt month. tltfe was n Uknt against MIR,
wheeock.. He had acknowledged business ca
pacity. and had filled an executive position in
times when II REQUIRED great coolness OF head
create panic or undue excitement. About a
year ago he met with reyerses that compelled
him to step out OF the Exchange. Aftar time
he was re-admittod. and he resumed his posi-
tlon as Chairman. A great de9l OF sympathy
Tirst Wee President. and Chnirman for twenty.
five years. Rumors that were not com plimentnry
to him wsre heard. but they were overlooked. In
ht4p Ia IN n I'm hu
~, and when the proposition came up 70 renomi-
nate him he was not a member of the Exchange.
election It was given out thn, he had been re-
leased from bankruptcy, but that his papers
sion IA a member His case was cons idcred and
he was blackbalcd. His lfrends manifested a
ward tho Committee on Admissions again con-
sldered his demand and decided 10 admit him.
Tho same day the Governing Committee met.
took upthe report Of the Comniitec on Adms-
sions. overrued il, and decided that Mr.. Whec-
lock was not oligihlo 20 reelecil on, and wis not
therefore eligible for nomination as an onlcer OF
the Exchange On the day Of the election Mr.
Mhecock's friends went into the contest full If
Determination 70 reelect him. There were eight
On four tickets James Mitchell was nomi-
mated for chairman, and Mr.. Wheclock was nom
eighth being blank. Mr.. Mitchell accepted the
nomination, suppQsing that Mr.. Mheeloek was
ineligible When the decision of the Governing
Committee was announced that morning It was
some dissent. Dir. NhecO"k WAS on the floor
by suforauoe. and ho made an appeal to the
Exchange. He hoped that the mrmhors would
not copntenance tho disposition t. persocuta
him which had bctn manifested by the Govern
ing Committee. He had been bounded for
weeks. and the commute" were determined to
throw him out whut"vcr might be the result
lie was determined to appeal to the Exchange
for justice. When he on rcd his vote tho
tellcrs received his ballot. and atrrward
pleaded as AN cN 'use that they did not
know officially that he was not mem
her Little business WIS dono that day
After the POLLS wyre closed the bry yIers gathered
wagers on tho result. MrWhecrck was in thoir
milst talking checrfully about his chances and
bitterly about the Governing tommittoe Many
predi ted that the election would hn the begin
ming ot tho breaking NJ of the Exchange, BY
! o'clock enough Was known to Justify the
friends of Mr.. Mitchell in THROWING up thnir
lats. Mr.. Mitchell received 547 votes Mr.
MheelOck 2I9 Although Mr. Wheelock's
friends were positive Tint he would bee upheld
oven II he had received majority tho Govrrn.
ing Committee would have declared his election
void, The salary of the office is $4,000, but il
has hcCn as hsh as 1900.
Mr.. Whcrlpck WINS one OF tho most popular
men in Wall street In his habits he was eN-
tremely conyiyiOl. and he had an unrivallod
reputation among tho bon viyant- ~ tho EX-
change tor gNstronomic taste and knowlelge.
As Chairman of he Board. he was calm. dis
Neu MIN. although he was called upon tn pro-
side over about as noisy and dlsordcrly an as
semhlaRe as can be found anywhere. one OF
his pecuiiaritos was that he never appeared in
the Excsang" without u white necktic.