The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-09
SUICIDES OF A DAY.
THEODORE HYATT, EMBARRASSED IN boSiNI'e
AND SUFFERING FROM INSOMNIA SENDS
PTrTTrr TuRorGU HIS BRAIN.

THEODORE HYATT, EMBARRASSED IN BUSINESS
AND SUFFERING FROM INSOMNIA, SENDS A
BULLET THROUGH HIS BRAIN.
Theodore Hyatt sxty-fve years OF age coinnii''eu
suicide yesterday, at his place of business NO. -
Waverley place. by shooting himself IN INC ne"'.
The deceased member Oh ING nm Vi
Hyatt Brothers. manufacturers OF patent vault h9's'
He was the inventive and mechanical genius OF 'he
firm and devoted all his life to the Invention ana I'M
provcment of the patent vault lights. winch are pro-
tected in his right by over forty patents. he hao
also achieved great success in other modncaons vi
the vault lights, such as illuminating encaustic tiles.
non-condensing skylghts corrugated copper sky
lights, floor lights and vault The firm. up to
few years ago. was considered to be in prosperous
condition but lately business reverses are said to
have set in This depression had corresponding
effect the mind and general health or deceased.
Fdr time past he has been under nedicai treat
ment for a nervous complaint which took the form
of insomnia; but it was never suspected that this
affection would take a suicidal turn
About noon yesterday one OF the employees, jacob
Jacobs, while passing Mr. Hyats Office on the second
floor heard what he describes ''gurging noise.
He tried to enter by the door but, hnaiag was
out the cornice, which is protected by long
wooden sign he reached window OF Mr.. Hyatts
Office and opened it. He saw deceased seated on
chair with Smith Wesson seven-barrelled revolver
in his hand. Dr. Maxwell. of Macdougal street, was
notified; but before his arrival life was extinct.
INQUEST
Coroner Woltman accompanied by his deputy, DR..
Cushnan proceeded to the scene Of the tragedy and
took testimony. Jacob Jacobs related substantially
the facts above stated, and DR.. Edward Seguln, or
West Twentieth deposed that the deceased for
the past two years had been suffering from in
somnia.
Deputy Coroner Cushman probed the fatal wound.
which was in the right temple. and found that the
ball had penetrated the BRAIN Mr.. Hyatt as he APP
peared in death, handsome, we'll preserved and
venerable looking His white. scanty locks served
to cover the wound in the temple, and blood was
visible the hair around the mouth OIL the
wound.
Upon the recent organization of the New York
Electric Light Company the deceased, who had in
terested himself In its success was appointed secre
tary and treasurer of the company. He resided at
No. 40 Morton street with his wife and two children
son and daughter.
A sTogEKEEPEE LABoRING UNDER THE HALLU-
c1NATIoN THAT HE rs IMPOVERISHED, SHOOTS
HIMSELF.
The report of pistol shot startled the household
Of Mr.. James s. Wood, of No. 1,13l Fulton street,
Brooklyn. shortly before ten o'clock yesterday fore
noon and inquiry to the resulted i'll the dis
covcry of the dead body of that gentleman who had
shot himself through the heart. He was found by
his wife lying Oh the floor Of his bedroom with q
sixbarre pistol by his side and small hole in his
breast, from which the blood slowly oozed. Mr..
Wood, who was fifty years of age. well known
and much respected in the community He was pro-
stores one of which conducted at his residence
by his wife and daughter, and the other. in
Fourth avenue, this city, he attended to him.
self. He was In very good circumstances.
but recently, owing to shrinkage in real
estate in which he had made some investments. he
became melancholy. and at times grew despond-
ent in his speech and manner that Mrs. Wood be-
came alarmed about him. She spoke of the fact to
of her friends, there really cause for
the fears OF impending poverty which her husband
appeared to entertain. He frequently spoke Of hay
ing so to the Almshouse and on Tuesday morning.
noticing poor-lookng man. who seemed to be
tramp going by the house. he called the attention Of
his wife to the saying, excitedly This is what
am coming to. This is what all coming to.
The Poorhouse is before us; there is chance for
lis. at ALL" He then went away to his place
of business in this city, and returned to
his home at the usual hour in the
evening" There was, however nothing either in his
manner speech to excite suspicion i'll the minds Of
his family of any suicidal intention on his part. He
went to bed and rested during the night. In the
morning he partook of breakfast with his wife in
the dining room and then went up stairs she be-
leved at the time for the purpose OF getting hand
kerchief before going to his store. A few minutes
later she heard the report of pistol shot and found
Mr.. Wood above stated. The pistol used an old
that had not been for years by the family
The deceased prominent member OF st. Mary s
Protestant Episcopal Church, on Classon avenue.