New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-23
DEAD IN HIS OLD HOME.
CHARLES f. PRATT TAKES HIS OWN LIFE.
BUSINESS TROUBLES DRIVE WALL STREET
BROKER TO SUICIDE.


BROKER TO SUICIDE.
Charles E. Pratt, one of the oldest and most re-
spectcd citizens of Railway, n j.. took his life
bv shooting himself yesterday. He placed the
muzzlc Of q revolver in his mouth and then pullcd
the trigger. the ball passing up through his head
and through the top of his hat. Death occurred
almost instantly The act was committed IN the
yoodshed of the old family homestead at Milton,
Just outside of Railway.
lie moved with his family few weeks ago
IN handsome new house in Milton-ave., Ran
way. but he had repeatedly remarked to friends
that he did not feel at home, and that there was
no placc like the old house at Milton. He left
the new house yesterday forenoon and went INTO
the library of the old house when he arrived
there The coachman, Thomas Flanagan, was IN
the library with Mr. Pratt when the latter re-
marked that he would take walk out to the
barn before going back to town. The coachman
had left his revolver, 3S-calibre weapon, lying
on n table. Mr. Pratt secured it without the
ooacbman noticing him and took it with him into
thc woodshed few moments after he had lelt
,ho library the coachman heard the report of
nistol and ran out to the woodshed, the door OF
which stood open Mr. Pratt was lying upon the
floor diving and he was dead in few moments.
Tho revolver lay beside him. He leaves vile
and fonr sons. all grown One of them, William
r.. is engaged in business in Arizona
Mr. Pratt had much t. do with the manage
ment of large estates. lie was connected WIN
the litigation over the estate of Mrs. Eliza H..
Cory. he being her administrator This suit was
in the court so long that it became historic In
the neighb0rhoOd where the participants lived
Lewis Cory, husband of Mrs Cory, kept a drug
store in Railway, and in $40 left that town To
90 TO San Jose. California, 20 hunt for gold. lie
accumulated much property, and when he dled IN
1852 he left a will, in which he made his wife.
Eliza B. Cory, cxccutriX. He also appointed three
executors Mrs Cory came East and managed
the affairs of the estate. which mainly consisted
Of houses and lots in California and New-jersey.
Mrs Cory finally sold the real estate and REIN
vested the money in property in her own name.
She died in November / $50, and Charles l.. Pratt
became her administrator, he being the husband
of one of her nicccs. She left no Will.
The heirs of Lewis Cory then began suit through
one of his executors against Mrs. Corys estate to
recover the property which she had appropriated
and sold The suit lasted nine years and was
settled two years ago. The heirs Of Lewis Cory
recovered about S6j, 900, which was less than the
amount Mrs Cory had appropriated.
The suit was a great strain on Mr.. Pratt and
y
his mind becoming affected. He was treated by
various doctors. but they could do little for him
Mr. Pratt brooded the loss the estate had sus-
tained and was continually restless. lie finally
consulted Dr. Barkalow of Philadelphia, and was
treated by him for mental disorder up to recent
date He went to his Philadelphia physician two
davs before he shot himself and complained OF
great distress in his head. The doctor gave him
some; hing which afforded him relief. but II seemed
ro throw him into a sort of dazed condition. he
remained in this condition up t. the time he
killed himself.
Mr.. Pratt conducted brokerage business in
Wallst.. and went to his place of business
nearly every day. II is said that he lost con
siderable money lately by unfortunate investments
in bonds. These losses, however. were not suf-
fcient 10 cripple him financially but in his weak
mental condition he believed differently. lie was
involved in other lawsuits besides the one men
toned Mr.. Pratt was generally believed 70 be
"A rich man. Ills father had a large estate IN
England and when the elder Pratt died. three
years ago. the son went 10 England and received
large share of his fathers estate. Mr. Pratt was
n native of England and came 10 this country at
an early age. lie was n resident of Railway for
many years. At one time he was engaged III me
wholesale mems furnishing goods business IN TINS
city Mr. Pratt was about fifty eight years Old
and the estate which he leaves IS cstimatei II he
worth 100000. For years he took an active part
i'm public affairs in Railway and was long mem-
brr Of the Common Council.