New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-14
SUICIDE OF w. II. JOHNSON.
SHOOTING BIMsELF IN AN ELMlRA HOTEL.
LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES FOR $lO,OOO FOUND-His



CAREER THIS CITY.
ELMIRA, N. Y, Jan. 13 (SpecdD.-w. II. johnson,
New-York oil broker. killed himself ny shooting with
revolver in his room at the kathbun House about
a. m to day. He weNt to his room between D ana r. m
yesterday complaining OF being cod and had the steam
turned on. This the last seen OF hin alive Inc
landlord heard the shot this morning but thought moth
ing of It, and at IL O'Clock. when the chanbcrmsid
entered the room she the In the dead
mans hand the revolver Coroner Reardon mado
an examination. which showed that Johnson mad only
81 49, and his other efe,ts consisted OF handbag 'on
tanning clothing and toilet articles He also had Vau
able solitaire diamond stud, sleeve buttons gold studs
etc Life Insurance. policies were also found which show
that Johnson was insured In the Protective Life Assur'
ance Society for $1,000. and In the Mutual behen'
society o. NewYork for $4,000.
Mr. Johnson was a brother in law Of sidney Crane, OF
Horncsvillc, and formerly connected with oanK
In that village Cards found In his pockets give his
address In New-York as No 55 Broadway. He lived Mt
the Victoria Hotel and not long handsomely enter
tainei a small party OF prominent Elmirans who met
him there. He single man between thirty hve
and forty years OF age His clothing of the best and
indicated that he fastidous In his tastes
That the suicide was premeditated was shown by the
fact that pile addressed and sealed letters partly
stamped were the table in the room where he Killed
himself. One was addressed to C. L. Rapelyea Emlra
and the others follows: Mrs. Z. ;. Lock"oou'
Hornellsvie; Mrs. s. II. Crane, Hornellsville; W. H.
Rose Bornelsvlle James Macken welsvile; W. l..
Jones, Wellsville; II. A. Mdgce, Planiled' J'' D.
Buckley, No. 4Ol Broadway, New-York
Johnson went to Ncw-Yotk few years ago with a
fortune OF $4,000 left hn by his father Nathaniel j.
Johnson For a time lie in business with A. IL.
Palmer, and is reported to have made money bt later
he went on the Street and lost HIS fortune lie the
engaged in the oil brokerage business and is supposed to
have got caught on the wrong side OF the market when
the recent sudden advance in oil took place Yesterday
he seEt several dispatches to NewYok it believed In
deals in oil or stocks which, 1t is believed went against
him. and this coupled with previous unfortunate
ventures and ilhealth Is the supposed cause o 'uc
After Johnson had received several dispatches,
showing that his last efforts had laed nc "cn' " "a
book store and purchased book on anatomy; anu
the work open at part describing the mar,
showing that the bullet hole over the heart was niddo
after careful study of the book
'iw Harry Johnson well known In oil circles ana
theatrical circles "a well. At time he was part
lessee Of the Union Square Theatre with A. NJ Palmer
He was native Of Horncllsvile, y. Y, and was sup
posed by his friends here to be about thirty years Old
Ills family IL highly respected one aud possessed OF
| YORK petroleum Exchange which had It's roo ms IN
Wlian-s which then in It's infancy lie was actse
in trading, made many lucky hits and soon he came
popular in the trade He served az vicepres dent OF
the exchange for year but in recent years ne has not
been prominent at all In the management or tne cx-
change. II while he was connected win the New- @
York ExGanGg eGre ,ae and e MnD
Board that lie took his theatrical venture WIN Mr'
Palmer .
MIR Johnson was devoted to his family and friends an,
had no disspated habits He was unmarried. iio elt
the city Wednesday without giving any special reason
for his departure. and the OF his sad end was
complete surprise to his friends here NO reason cou
bs learned for his act but intmated that pecunary
difficulties arising from his position in the market may
led to despondency. II Is thought mere tnat ns
went to Emira raise to relieve himsci1 auu
that having failed tn do 40 gave way to despair, MT
JohnsOn a. one time cashier In the Bank or Horn
ell,yille and he the oil business in Bradford
PENN one year before came to NewYork. He was
straightforward in his business transactions ana was
| genial and generous.