The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-05
AN ETENTFUL FAMILY HISTORY.
The Death Of Mrs. sophia Furniss and the
Melancholy Tragedy u Recalls.


The venerable Mrs Sophia FurnIss, wife
OF the well-known merchant and capitalist VIII
liam T.. Furnlss and mother OF the late Leon
Furnss. died on Thursday last at her resi-
dencc. Alb Sixth avenue Mrs. furniss was
nearly 10 years ofaRe. and throughout her long
life was wcll-known and valued member Of
Now York society. She was tall. OF command
ing presence. with light hair and blue eyes aud
in her younger days was rockoned a great
beauty. In addition to bsr persona,
she also was highly accomplished. speaklne
several languages with nuency. Her husband.
William p. Furniss came to this country about
1890. from Santa Cruz in the West Indies,
where he had already amassed considerable
wealth as a commission merchant. His busi-
ness dealings were characterized by tho strictcst
probty. and his word was held to be as good as
his bond to any amount. Ho became rich rap
idly, accumulating large blocks OF property in
tho vicinity OF Wall, Exchange, and Broad
Streets and by judcious investments in
up town real estate. laid the foundation
for, still larger fortune Between 1870
una 1850 he retired from active
business. intending thcncciorth TO devote him
self to the care Of his largo estate and the cdu-
cation of his children. Eight years ego he
Guiding houses and stores, on Bond street
Ninth street, Broadway, Wall street, Exchange
u
Murray Hill. and boundaries Of lots along tho
boulevard 41nd Morn,ngside Park He ict
first about 35. and the last named ton years
younger. There were also three daughters
by the terms Of his will the estate was left in
trust on what is known as the Tontine princi-
plO. cach one OF the heirs receiving his share OF
the interest Without Dcing allowed to touch the
principal. When one died. his share was To- be
divided among tho other children. 80 that Il wife
or issue Of the sons or Of the daughters, If mar
ried. would receive LITTLE or nothing;
Ah,n lf tgil lI han dat Il la
position. objected to those safeguards. and In
sisted on having his share ol the principal at
once. The executors objected. on tho ground
thnt the real estate NJ town could be sold at
much better prices few years hence, Finally
Leon sued 60 compel s"ttlement and after the
usual amount OF litigation ilc case was decided
in his favor. In tho moan time real estate had
decreased in valuc, 80 that when he came to
realize on his share. hc found 1t amounted to
sl50.OOO loss than il would have brought had il
been sold before the panic. This fact cmbit-
tered him worry much. and ne md not cease TO
denounco tho arrangement 10y which so vaua-
bic property had been allowed to dcprecintc.
The death of the mother was undoubtedly
lnstened by the ira .ic death of her son. Four
years axe. Leon bought and furnished a hand
some house at 1881 street and st. Nicholas
avenue; Tho grounds were laid out in elegant
s,yle flowers. trees, and plants were attached,
while in the rear was carriage house and sta
ble containing several nn0 cquipage- and a
number OF hlooled horses. Icons income was
from $4,000 To- S25.0OO year and he spent II
royalty. His style OF living was OF the most
sumptuous dcscription. Rich furniture and
large holes in his bank account. and when
quarter day came round he was Invariably be-
hindhand. His passion for fast life and high
living led him into cNccsses which alenated
many of his friends. At length his conduct
became, such that bis beautiful Young vile
vious. was forced 10 leave him. This blow had
II still more depressing effect and under it he
became moody and irritable 70 the last degree
| one Of his society friends. Mr. Charles n
| Cuopcr. remained by him TO the last Hnd wa
..f Ittlt lla lltfN rttt.
| nate gentlemen went ON drinking spree.
| This lasted several weeks and completely un
| ncrved him. Mr.. Cooper was summoned 10 So,
| him. and. through his exertions. the half fran
| tie Leon WIS brought to state OF comparative
| gobriety To soothe him. and. II possible. wear
| him from his cxcesses. his young wifc visited
| him during tho latter part OF the month. Oi
| Thursday. tho 2dth. she called and remained n
| dinner. returning to town at might. The un
! her refusing. bclam" more N lody and sul"l
than eyer. II" pGced the floor ncrvOusly durinl
| the whole evening, Inuttorng 10 himself, Sh
| loves me stil. she loves mo STILL Oi
the Friday following, he drove, acconpane'
| 10y Mr.. Cooper. to Scholars Hotel, where IN
| drank considerably and became still more mo
rose and despondCnt, On their return, the tw
fr.cnds lishtcd cigars and 7et smoking on III
yeranda. Mr. Cooper told stories and cvel
sang songs To nmuse Leon. but they were Of N
use. At length Leon rose, knocked the ashe
from his cigar. AMI remarhing that II was tim
to retire. led tao way 70 his bedroom
on the second floor The door close
nolsclgs,sly ,@ftcr him. and no, one ex
|
The latter went 10 his room of the same ha
and tried 70 sleep. rut witnout success. II
could not shake of the notion that somethn
terrible was about TO happen. and lay with bot
eyes wide open listening
| suddenly the loud report 81 a pistol ran
through the silont hous' followed hy a noise a
OF "A person falling heavily against n wooac
partiton. Then came frantic shouts {
Hclcn Hclen!" John! john the name
Of thl two servants who slept in the housi
Cooper spranG from his bed burst open III
door Of his friends apartment and th9
hchcli Leon leaning heavily against Ill
half open window his hand, cutchip
"A Smith * Wrs-on's revolver and his nigl
shirt dyed with dark red blood He staggcre
toward the door ghspcd. Ny God. Charlie
Two shot myself through the heartl' and the
fell forward on the iloor
Another son. thc youngest. 10y name Gardne
died under circumstAu 'cs which brought gri'
to the family. OF the survivors Milliam u
cid st. lives n New York. and Hartman in Phi
adephia. Tho estate, although somewhat in
paired hv the falling I'll ia values. Is thought
be worth fully million.
Tho funeral Of the hcreaycd wife aud moth'
il To- be from ~. Michacls Protestant EpiSeoii
Church. Nuety-ninth street and Filth uycnu
THIS afternoon.