Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-08-30
HARrFoRD's B1G SENSATION.

HARTFORD's BIG SENSATION.
Assistant Cashier Joseph Breed Conn
mIts SufcIde-The Rank Said TO De
All Right, buE Trust Funds Doubtful
Speculation DID IL.
HARTFORD, Aug. 29.-Joseph Breed, aged
forty-fve, assistant cashier of the Hartford
National bank and for thirty years with the
bank, came doYn town from his residence
at about 8 o'clock this morning and called
upon his brother George, who is beokkeeper
in an iron store. After brief conversation
he went to hardware store and purchased
razor. He then went to the bank and after
brief and pleasant conversation with Harry
Ney, the youngest clerk, went in hallway
in the rear of the building and cut his throat,
dying in about twenty minutes. He leaves
widow, but no children. Mr.. Breed was
trustee on three estates, and it is rumored
that his accounts were or had been abort on
all these. Officers of the bank say that his
accounts there were all right He has had a
good reputation, apparently not living be-
yond his income. It is impossible at
present to state the amount of Deficiencies on
trust accounts.
President Bolter of the Hartford National
''The officers of the bank are confident there
Is no deficiency in Mr.. Breeds account with
it. If after thorough Investigation any
should apper the public shall be informed of
its exact extent"
Mr.. Breed was q member of d family very
highly connected in the State, being a cousin
of President Dwight of Yale college and
nephew to the late John Breed of Norwich,
who was the most influential citizen in east
ern Connecticut for forty or fifty years and
after whom Breed Hall is named.
He had three brothers who, with himself,
were regarded as among the most promising
of the younger generation in Eastern Con-
necticut thirty years ago. They had the best
of family connections and influential friends
The Oldest son, Charles Breed, was an Of
ficer in a Connecticut regiment and died in
the Chicahominy swamp in 1862. James
was cashier of the Pratt street savings bank
this city. He died two or three years ago.
Joseph, who committed suicide this morn
ing, was an active, energetic man, who served
in the army and afterward engaged in various
enterprises, in all of which he was unsuccess-
ful. George is bookkeeper at Blodgett &
Clapp's store here. John is now in Cali
fornia.
Mr.. Breed was we'll known and confidently
trusted by many of the older families of Hart
ford, and important financial matters were
frequently confided to him. Recently he has
been acting as attorney of Mrs. Jacob N.
Knous, who has been in Europe with her hus-
band for couple of years. He was also at
torney for Mrs DR.. Taft, and has had charge
of the many stocks, bonds and other securi-
ties of the estate of the late DIR. Taft. These
passed out of his control within few days.
He wrote to Mrs. Taft, within day or two,
admitting deficiency, and it is understood
that he received very sharp letter from her
by this mornings mail. For Mrs. Daniel
Goodwin he also acted in the capacity of
of 10 hot ho 1aad
some of the funds of this estate in
speculation, but that the matter was
partly settled up between Mr.. Breed and Mrs.
Goodwin some time ago, but that there is a
question as to his legal liability for further
amount He was one of the trustees of the
bequest left by the late Albert G. Raymond
of East Hartford, for public library in that
town. His associate trustees were DR.. Nc
Knight, Patrick Caravan, Henry q. Hayden
and others. Mr.. Breed was treasurer and had
charge of the funds, about $4,000, until a
couple of years ago, when Mr.. Garvan sue
ceeded him as treasurer. He was admins
TRAITOR of the VIM. E. Webster estate, amount
ing to about $4,000, which was settled in
1929, but it is not ascertained whether any
of the funds have been in his possession re-
Gently. Mr.. Webster was corresponding
clerk at Colts factory at the time of his
death.
Mr. Breeds financial losses have been
through SpoculaG1oH, prODdDly To sOmS oAGeAL
in stocks, and it is known that he had had
some extensive dealings in Fargo real estate.
This was profitable for time, but recently
the investors sustained some large losses.
$4,000 Short.
HARTFORD, Conn, Aug. 29.-Breed had
been employed as agent by several large
property holders. So far as can no W be as
certained the shortages in these accounts
amount to about $50, 900, although this may
be increased by further investigation. He
undoubtedly used the money in stock specu-
lations. The body has been placed in charge
of an undertaken by permission of the cor
oner. A gentleman to whom the dead CASH
Ter is believed to have confessed his
troubles on Tuesday and who is prob
ably better acquainted with the facts
than anyone else says the total amount of
the embezzlement will not exceed $50, 900,
divided between the trust funds of two es-
tates. The funds of the bank are not in
volvsd and the bank had a surplus of more
than half million. The dead man lived
economically and had no expensive habits.
The money probably went into stock gam
bling and real estate speculation in the West.
The first misstep is supposed to have been
taken nearly ten years ago and the rest have
been unavailing efforts to recover. At last
it seemed inevitable that exposure must come
and he preferred death to facing disgrace.
He was general favorite and doubtless
his friends, could they have realized the load
he was carrying, would gladly have helped
him. His untimely taking off has been a
shock to the entire community.