The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-11-09
SENSATIONAL FAILURE.
A Berlin Bank Collnpses and tho Banker
nnd His Son Commit Suicide In Ench
Other,s Presence,

A Berlin Bank Collnpses and tho banker
und His Son Commit Suicide In Ench
Others Presence.
BERLIE, Nov. S.-A sensation was
caused in financial and social circles
here yesterday by tho collapse OF the
banking institution OF Fricdlaendcr &
Sommcrield. Tho usual scenes OF cx-
citement among depositors anxious to
secure their money, and among those
holding the notes and drafts OF tho in
stitutlon became tumult when itwas
announced that the leading partner in
tho concern, together with his son, had
committed suicide.
The failure is associated with the re.
cent suspension OF tho bankers Hirsch-
field d Wolf. The fact that Fricdlaen-
der & sommcrield wero financially en-
barrassed, and that they would find
difficulty in meeting their obligations,
was known to some OF tho operators
on the Bourse here early in tho day.
Large forced sales were made, and this
action was vaguely attributed to local
financial troubles. These sales caused
q general and heavy fall in prices, but
the business OF the day was over before
the tragic incidents closing the career
OF the bankers became generally known.
THEY DISCUSSED SUICIDE TOGETHER.
AS the facts in the case developed it
appeared that father and son met in
their office in the bank early this morn
ing, and discussed the crisis in their
affairs. After talking over the matter
pro and con they concluded that us they
were hopelessly embarrassed theywould
die. It is understood that this rcsolu-
tion 10 take their own lives was in
great measure due to the fact that their
arrest was impending, as Felix sommer-
field, the son, had become involved in
speculations which were moro than like
ly to lead to his arrest on q criminal
charge.
Having arrived at the decision that
death was preferable to arrest and dis
grace, both father and son shot thom-
selves in the head with revolvcrs. When
the clerks in the office, alarmed at tho
reports OF the pistols, ran to the private
office they found the father and son
still alive. They were conveyed to tho
hospital in dying condition.
TuEFIRM HAD 4 SOLID REPUTATION.
The firm has been in existence for a
long time, and held a good position in
the. financial world. 1t had earned
solid reputation as a steady.going house.
Its customers, who belonged chiefly to
themiddle class, were scattered through
out the empire. Since tho Hirschfeld
l. Wolf failure many OF tho principal
clients of Friedlaender & Sommcrfeld,
who had become alarmed regarding tho
stability OF private banking houses,
made heavy Withdrawals Of deposits.
Herr Sommerield tried to meet the diff
Guilty by attempting to realize on his
Investments. These, however, were
locked up in industrial and other stocks,
which were not readily marketable,
and eventually it was found impossible
for the firm to meet its engagement.
The police have taken charge OF the
firms office and have placed seals upon
the safes. The intensity OF tho excite
ment caused by tho failure was such
that it was n cause for congratulation
that the fact OF tho suicides was not
known until after the close OF business.