The New York herald., 1878-08-15
SUICIDE OF A MERCHANT.

AUSTIN M. KNIGHT, OF GOLD STREET, TIN
CITY, SHOOTS HIMSELF THROUGH 1He HEAD.
That portion Of the mercantile community located
In what Is called the swamD" startled yesterday
morning by the reported suicide OF Old established
and highly esteemed merchant, Austin n. knight,
oil No S3 Gold street. The rumor fully
confirmed on investigation, the sell murder
having been committed at the unfortunate mans rest.
dcncs, corner OF William street and Arlington avenue
Orange, " j., snortIy after seven O'Clock Tuesday
morning. Temporary insanty was the extcnuatins
plea urged by the family aud friends. Although tLs
Of the mental disorder Itself but va.uely sur
missed n dIigsnt inquiry established that up to lasi
Saturday Mr. Kn,ghrs credit stood uD,m mpa,red.
Ho reputed to be worth not tar IRON
$500 900. and the oil commission business in which
lie was Interested was known 10 DO pfofitabe. lt
was not positively known 10 ms business acquain-
taDces that he mai engaged In any outside speculation
anu u was freely stated tha 50 TAR his nnancta
standing, he could nave borrowed amost any amoubs
upon his own note IN the street. Ncvert slsss
on Saturday Mr. Kuight suffered a cncck for
$500 to oe dishcnorci at one bank where
ne ocal,, and u note Tor 81, 900 TO 60 To protest
simultaneously other checks Tor small mounts,
drawn by A. VI. knight, were thrown out at another
bank, In which he had been dcpositor ior ys~a The
only reason assigned for his embarrassment TINT he
was involved to the extent OF about t5 900 In tho
recent failure Of s. W. BALDWIN son, leather Dealers
oil No 6Fe.ry street
Tho rumor was circulated about the swamp that
Mr. Knight mad met with somo rcverses IN Wall
street. but inc foundation Tor the could
be asccrtainei. There are policies upon hts lne
amounting to upward of $50 00U. In The New York
Lille Insurance Company tne risks upon bis lilo
amount to $45, 900 lie was . largo holder OF in-
proved real estate In and about East Orange
Regarding hts commercial lite u was asecrtaircd
that he iailcd many years ago, Dut made sasfactory
settlements with his creditors He Was originally
dealer IN hides ana leather, tho nrm being Knight
KNAPP. Subsequently,, in partnership for time win
his brother he uoait IN crude oils gcd
up TO The time VI his death. Much ympathy 70.
grst Expressed 10 business circles ovcr his sad end
TIN FATAL DIED.
Mr.. Knight yesterday arose at tho usual hour nnd
brcakissicd with his family ana Mr.. walton, ms
brother-in-law Ho appeared to 10 IN his usual con.
dtion lie finished breakfast bcisre tns others aud
rctireJ IRON the room. A lev minutes later Mrs.
Knight anu the others still at table we're startled
by the report OF revolver Hurryng
TO the bathroom they found Mr.. Knight
lying the loor the blood gursiing from q wound
10 the head. The fatal weapon lay alongside Mrs.
Knight uttered piercing shrck and ioli In fainI
but bis services useless. The ball had entered
Just above ana little In front OF tho right ear, aud
passing through the braiu came out the LETT
In about In hour death took place.
the true cause OF the suicide - bctevcd TO be
nervousness and unioun fear that poverty
would overtake hts family and bimsciL mr.. knight
was twice married. by his hrst wife no mad
three children and by his second two AL
nvo are alive. Mr.. knigut was u native Of ONO
orange some sixteen years. Ho was a member OF the
local government, attended the Prcsbytcr,a church
and was OF a most uprignt character and generous
disposition. HE shocking snd has crestcd a prcicund
feeiing OF sorrow IN East Orange, where con.
sldsred the very. foremost citizen.