New-York tribune., 1878-06-24
SUICIDE OF NJ. A. WHEELOCK.
LONG CAREER IN WALL STREET ENDED.

SEVEN YEARS THE CHAIRMAN OF TIE STOCK
| EXCHAHGE-THE BITTERNESS OF RECENT DE-
FEAT.
Moses A. Wheelock, until recent date
chairman of the New-YOrk Stock Exchange, a
position that he had held for more
than q quarter of q century, shot him
self yesterday at his boarding place, No. SO
East Twenty -third-st., dying instantly. He
had been drinking TO excess of late and
was greatly depressed in spirits by business
troubles and his recent defeat at the Stock
Exchange election. He had sold his seat in
the Exchange.
SHOOTING HIMSELF IN HIS ROOM
Mr.. Wheelock arose at about his usual hour
yesterday, although he had been out un-
I'll o'clock IN the morning. He had
probably been drinking Saturday night.
as his friends admit that he had been in
temperate of late. At breakfast he appeared
to be cheerful aud in his ordinary frame
of mind. After breakfast he went out, his wife
and oldest son, William, in the meantime attending
church. 1t is supposed that he then drank more
liquor which had the effect of rendering him gloomy
and depressed. His son came in first about 1890
o'clock, and Mr. WheelOck asked, where is your
motherp The son replied "She is coming" No
ticng that his father appeared excited and wild in
manner, he induced his mother to go up stairs
On returning in few minutes the son found his
father sitting in easy chair, dressed only in his
undershirt and trousers, his head inclined to one
side if in sleep. He held in his right hand pistol
and the then noticed blood trickling from his
fathers right temple. The weapon was heavy, six
barrelled revolver of the American Arms Companys
manufacture. The report of the pistol not
heard by anyone, and no intmation was received of
fhn
made the CHASTITY discovery.
Dr. Bull, who lives opposite Mr.. Wheelocks
boarding place. was called ill., but his services
of no avail for the suicide must have died instantly
after firing the fatal shot. The face was calm
and peaceful, and only the bullet-hOle i'll
the temple, and swelling and discoloration under
the eye indicated that he was dead and not sleep
ing Information OF the matter was sent TO Captain
Williams OF the TU enty-ninth Precinct, and notice
was given Immediately TO Coroner Volt
man. lie made preliminary examination,
aud arranged for an inquest this morning
The house where Mr.. Wheelock was living is n
clearinghouse, kept by Mrs. Jeens. He and his
family occupied one floor. The house has the usual
appearance Of brown-stOne dwellings in the fashion,
able streets of New-York. It is furnished in hand
some style. The room in which Mr.. Wheelock shot
himself is a front room on the third floor. The
occupants of the house were greatly startled and
shocked by the event Nothing in the manner or
conduct of Mr.. Wheelock, which they had ever OBJ
served, led them to suspect the possibilities OF his
taking his own life.
THE SUICIDES CAREER.
Air Wheelock was well known in Wall-st., where
he had spent the greater portion of his life as a
stock operator. Long before the present New-York
Stock Exchange incorporated. and while stock
bnsiness was transacted in the old open board he
vas active member and officer. Under different
titles he filed the position Of chairman for twenty
seven years, and he suffered his fst defeat
at the annual election on May 13. 1878, his sue
cessful competitor being James Mitchell, the pres
ent incumbent. Mr.. WheclOck, while pretending TO
be indifferent the result. was known by his in
innate friends TO suffer keenly account OF his de-
feat. He remarked 10 one gentleman that it was
hard after lifetime Of faithful service 20 be de-
prived Of what was then his only means of support
Last Summer he was unable TO meet his
obligations, and, under the rules of the Stock
Exchange he was suspended. His position as chair
man was declared vacant and Mr.. Mitchell, who
was vice-chaiman, was nominated as his sue
cessor. few days before the special election Mr.
Wheelock made his contracts good and he was re-
admitted TO membership. He then as an indie
pendent candidate, and after an exciting canvass
he was elected chairman by four majourity. Not
long aftcrward several of the contracts under the
old failure fell due, and being unable to pay them
he was again suspended.
A few months ago some of his largest creditors
threw Mr.. Wheeock into bankruptcy. When the
election was held in May Mr. Wheelock claimed
that he was eligible for the chairmanshlp, being adj
vised by his counsel that be was virtually dis
charged in bankruptcy, having arranged a compost
ton. He applied for readmission, and reported
IL -. a.. I,,, a,
lie was placed upon tho. first regular ticket
for chairman by the Committee on Nominations.
Subsequently the Governing Committee decided
that the action Of the Committee on Admissions
was unconstitutional and therefore null and void.
To the question why under such q ruling, Mr..
Wheelock was admitted TO the floor of the Ex-
change it was said that his position as an Off
Ger gave him that privilege. Against this
decision Of the Governing Committee Mr..
Wheelock and his supporters earnestly protested.
Mr. Wheelock made speech before the
polls were opened announcing himself as a candl-
date and ia an excited manner he claimed that he
had been bounded aud prosecuted by members of
the Exchange for months. He made an appeal for
votes from all members who were opposed to perse-
cution The election that followed was character
lied by much bitterness of feeling, and per-
sonalitics were freely INDUCED in. The good
and bad traits of the opposing candidates
for chairman were freely discussed, and many
severe things were said. 1t was openly
charged that the habits of Mr.. Wheelock had been
very bad, and that he had frequently been on the
floor and in the chair of the Exchange when under
the influence of liquor.
1t was claimed by the friends Of Mr. Wheelock
that he had entirely reformed, and Mr.. Wheelock
himself declared in conversation, on the
day of the election, that he had not drunk
any liquor for six months, and he greatly
regretted that personal attacks had entered into
the canvass The friends of Mr.. Wheelock argued
that for years Mr. Wheelock was the only man who