New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-25
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THOS p. GRINNELLS DEATH
GREAT SURPRISE TO HIS FRIENDS
DENYING THAT HE COMMITTED sUICIDE-HIs BUsf.
NESS AND SOCIAL LIFE

Thomas p Grinnell, Of No. III Wet Thirty
fOurth-st, killed himself at late hour Friday
night. The house is of brown stone. Mrs. Gnnnell
was awakened few minutes before l2 o'clock by
the report Of pistol, and found her husband dead
on the floor of their bed chamber. He had shot HIM
selfthrough the head with revolver of large caIbre
which lay near his right hand. He had fallen on
his side in front Of dressing table and The posi-
ton indicated that he was looking into the mirror
above the table when he fired. Mrs Grinne!Ps
cries brought other members of the household TO
the room aud a servant hastily summoned the fam
ily physicians Drs. Hegeman and SatteTthwaite, or
No. 30 East Thirty-iirst-st. The services oi ths
physicians were needed only for Mrs Gunnoll. who,
was Frustrated by the shock. One of the ply
sicans sent information of Mr.. GrinnelPs death to
Deputy Coroner DOnlIn who prevented the police
from entering the house. The pistol used by Mr..
Grinnell was handed subsequently to a sergeant OF
the Twenty-ninth Precinct who saw one OF
the dead mans daughters A report OK
suicide was made by the sergeant,
who stated that Mr.. Grinnell had been
drinking freely. 1t the theory of the police
that Mr. Grinnel had killed himself while suffering
from the effects of liquor.
WHAT MR. GRINNELEs RELATIVES SAY.
Relatives of the dead man said yesterday that
they could not accept the theory of suicide. They
believed that he had shot himself by accident.
Mr. Grinnel they said, was in good health and
although not in active business he was wealthy, and
was in the full enjoyment of the best social
privileges On Friday he appeared to be in as good
spirits as usual. He spent that evening at his
home Mrs. Grinnell went to bed early. When
Mr. Grinne shot himself he was in his night
clothes. 1t was his custom to carry revolver IN
his pocket in the day time and to leave the weapon
on the dressing table when he went TO bed.
His relatives thought that he was examining
il careessly preparatory to leaving 1t on the table,
and discharged it by accident. They denied that
he had any cause for suicide or that he drank
liquor to excess.
George B. Grinnell, the brother of the dead man,
who is well-knOwn IN the city asa wealthy resident
of Audubon Park, said that the family were con-
vinced that the shooting was accidental
Thomas B. Grinnell, he said, was fifty years
old His family consisted of his wife and two
daughters Mabel and Eleanor. He was born IN
Greenfield, Mass his father being Judge George
Grlnnell The family were distant relatives of
Moses II. Grinnell. Thomas came TO this city at
the age of twenty and became a member OF the hrm
of Bliss q Grlnnsll, dry-gOOds commission
merchants in Murray-st The firm failed, and
Mr.. Grinnell became a gold broker in Wall-
st. in the early days of the War.
He was married to Miss Aycrigg, whose father, DIR.
Aycrigg of Passac, y. j. possessed great wealth.
Several years ago Mr. Grinnel retired from business,
but he continued to manage his own and his wifes
estates which together worth more than
million of dollars Their property consisted almost
exclusively of real estate. Much of Mrs. GrinnelPs
property Is in West Thirty y-fourth-st. The family
have spent considerable time travelling in Europe
and in the West. While the family remained IN
this city they went much into society and received
many visitors at their house. Mr.. Grinnell and his
wife wore devoutly attached TO each other and hs
made a rule of spending much Of his time IN his
home.
THE DEAD MANS CAREER IN WALL STREET.
After Mr.. Grinnell went into Wall Street he
formed partnership with B. VI. Nevers, under the
stvle of Grinnell Il Nevers lie became a member
of the Stock Exchange, and for several years was
one of the prominent figures in the Gold Room.
Major Nevers attended TO the stock brokerage part
of the business. The firm highly respected 10
was obliged to suspend on Black Friday but it is
said that all its liabilities settled in full.
Afterward Mr.. Grinnell sold his seat in the Ex-
change, and retired from business. 1t has not been
learned that he has engaged in stock speculation
since that time He has spent much time IN Europe,
and when at home has given his attention To tho
care of his wies fortune.
During his career in Wall Street, Mr. Grinne was
given a large stock business by his brother, George
amember of the firm of Clapp N Grnnell, and after
ward of George b. Grinnell " Co. The latter lrn
was composed of George B; Gunnell and }. {;
Williams with Horace +. Clark, sOn-ln-law OF
Commodore Vanderbilt, as special partner. Mr.
Williams is still a member OF the Stock Exchange
and suspended last week. The firm was embar-
rassed in tho panic Of 1873. and obtained an nunc-
ton to prevent the sale of stocks for its account
under the rules of the Stock Exchange. II Is SAID
hat the members of the firm were expelled !i iroa
resume business, however but Is repnted TO 10
Mr.. GRINNELL AS A CLUB MAN.
NJ, all Ia, tn t1o n. nd
York Clubs. The flag of the Union Club foated at
lalf-mast yesterday 1t was stated at the club
house in the evening that Mr. Grinnell not
of the place and only came IN to get his
etters occasionally. HIS two brothers also menu
Ders of the club. 1t denied that he was of dis
,ipated habits. He was said TO be always bright
md cheerful The theory that he had speculated
Insuccessfully in Wall Street was not believed.
prominent member of the club gave il as his Opn-
on. however, that Mr.. Grinnell killed mnsef
" hen under the influence of liquor. sand be;
There strange coincidence about the manner of his
leath aud that of two others connected with
# ~ Henry i Griane. Of that firm: killed him:
sn ers aS He Walked out Of window While under the
influence wine, MISLEADING u for door c.ding to
,alza. lie fell and fatally hurt. II is only few
ears yonng Nnurn, son Of member OF that firm,
,ed himself IN his office.
There was great sfco surprise was at 5.c,,tsS TsG
,ut at half-mast. Mr. Gunnell was an old
member of the club. and was warmly esteemed. For
evcral years he was Il director, but last year he de-
lined a reelection, although asked to take the
'hce lie was genial and cheerful, aud Spent much
imc IN the cub-rOOns, usually dropping IN
very evening Oue who watched ais habits
md was intimate with him said he had
10 reason for committing suicide. Ills domestic
lnd social relations were believed 10 be- pleasant
md he appeared 10 have plenty of money. As far
l. known he was engaged IN no business enterprise
% prey on hIs mind tie was IN the club the night
,F, i,,a. a. IA artIK DuI
riend chatting gayy 1t was the general opinion
hat his death was accidental. Ii was denied that