The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-28
WAS TIRED Of HIS LIFE.
Cashier Francis Ended II with a Little
Pistol Bullet.
Left widow, Son and Daughter tn Mourn.
His Accounts are said to be Very Much
Tangied-Ran OPP posite to Directors
Wishes.

PITTSFfELD, Mass, July ZS.-Ed ward
s. Francis, ex-cashier of the Pittsfeld
National bank, put bullet through his
brain yesterday morning and died almost
instantly. The suicide took place In the
room occupied by Mr.. Francis in the
Maplewood hotel, North street. A crisis
had been reached In his business troubles
which he dared not face Claims aggre
eating about s25 900 had been made against
the Pittsfeld National bank ON account
OF the ex-cashier's transactions. Exposure
was inevitable.
The bank had notified the American
Trust company, Francis's bondsmen, of
these claims, and yesterdaythe company's
attorney, Lawyer Strong, called upon him.
AT the interview Mr.. Francis was entirely
calm and pleasant, though he seemed to re-
alize the gravity of the situation.
When Mr.. Strong had gone Mr.. Francis,
who was recovering from serious illness,
Complained Of wearincss
to his daughter Nellie and sister-in law,
Mrs. Pinkham, and asked them to retire
for a little time that he might rest. A
few minutes afterward the report of re-
volver rang out. Francis had paid his
debt to the world in the only way left to
him. Miss Nellie rushed into the room
and found his father seated in an easy
chair facing thewindow, with the smoking
revolver in his hand.
He was unconscious and blood was
streaming from his head. She gave the
alarm, and soon the fashionable hotel,
which is crowded with city people. was in
turmoil of excitement
Drs. Colt ond Paddock were sent for,
and they found the wo,vnGed man still
breathing, but sinking rapidly, and he
died in few minutes.
An examination showed that the bullet
had entered the right temple just in front
OF the ear, passed completely through the
head, came out at the left temple and
buried itself in black walnut music
stand. He was insensible from the moment
he pressed the trigger.
The dead MN has not left scrap of
paper making any final statement so far
as can be learned, and there is no way at
present of
Telling How Matters Stand.
1t was his habit to keep a personal ac-
count book in his desk in which are re-
corded dealings with personal friends, but
the pages seem TO be in much confusion
and the bank men say they can't gather
The opinion prevails that the dead
cashier was cognizant of more than has
yet been made public concerning the
trouble in the bank which resulted in his
retirement from the institution.
IL Is considered that his suicide indicates
his knowledge Of false dealing with his
friends and his conclusion that he could
not face them and take the consequences.
1t is now feared that more disclosures will
come, and that affairs will prove even
worse than was at first thought.
His relatives claim, however, that he
was on the verge of second attack OF
apoplexy and was not responsible.
II is the tragical last act in an unhappy
domestic drama, which began, so goes
local gossip, six years ago. when Mr.
Francis married for the second time began
to live beyond the limits Of his 5000
salary, speculated in stocks. and finally,
two weeks ago. reached business crisis
and was deposed from the position he had
held for 2S years as cashier of he Pitts
field National bank.
This action of the bank directors, the
consequent public scandal, the fact that
he had overdrawn his account at the bank
$500, and the impending arrangements for
legal separation from his wife, formed a
burden of mental suffering which reacted
on the ply ysical man, and for overa week
Mr.. Francis had been prostrated by
serious illness Mr.. Francis leaves fam
lily consisting, besides his widow. of his
daughter Nellie, who lived with him, aud
a son. who is d"r list in TcXas