New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-27
SUICIDE OF j.. b. SKEHAN.
HE SHOOTS HIMSELF IN HIS HOME AT
UPPER MONTCLAIR, N. j.

EDLY THE CAUSE OF HIS sELF-DEsrRUC-
IoN-coMPLlcATIoNs DUE TO THE Ac-
TIoNs OF HIS LATE PARTNER.
ABRAM c. BERNHErM
J. B. Skehan. Of the firm OF ]. b. Skehan &
Co., No. 10 Broad-st shot and killed himself at
his home in Upper Montclair early yesterday
morning The news was a shock to his friends
and neishbors. well to his business associ-
ates. from whom ne parted on Monday evening
after business hours without giving any sign
Of trouble more than he had shown for weeks
past.
The reports which came from his home early
yesterday morning were to the effect that the
unfortunate man fancied that he had heard
burglars In the lower part OF the house, and on
going below. armed with a pistol. he stumbled
and fell and that the pistol was accidentally
discharged, with fatal result. investigation
proved that there were no burglars I'm or near
the house and that the first report was simply a
poor guess.
The police Of Montclair knew only that Mr..
Skehan had been killed in his home in Bellevllle-
ave-, but Chief Pier had no particulars as TO
how or when the shooting was done. Al the
Skehan home. which Is pretty cottage situated
high ground. surrounded by well-kept undu-
latinS lawn. all was quiet, and a floral mourning
emblem on the outer porch told the story OF the
loss which had come like n flash to loving
wife and eight children. No member OF the
family was sufficiently composed to give an
account 10 a Tribune reporter when ne caied
there yesterday. but the circumstances were
learned from intimate friend of the family
and the story leaves no doubt that Mr.. Skehan
committed suicide in ft of temporary INSANITY
caused by general depression and Insomnia, and
that the condition was superinduced by worry
and business anxiety.
Low SPIRITED FOR SOME TINE.
He had been low spirited and despondent for
weeks and although he attended to his business
regularly. those who were near him could see that
he not in good health For the last three or
four weeks It said, his condition was much
worse; he was low spirited and his nervousness
was more marked. He slept little or not at all
and his health was the cause OF much anxiety in
his family circle
This was his condition when ne returned TO his
pretty home on Monday evening from New York
He ate sparlngly and retired early, but was un-
able TO sleep and arose from bed several times
About midnight he said 20 mis- wife that he
thought some one was trying to force an entrance
to the house and started - investigate. his wife
going with him. Nothing unusual or out Of the
way was discovered. but. making the same plea
he went downstairs again and, on the first trip
Mrs. Skehan went along.
Worn out by her vigil and worry, the wife lay
down ana had hardly fallen asleep when she was
awakened by the report Of pistol, the shot beinS
followed in quick succession by tive more. She
rushed from: the room and downstairs, and there,
at the front Of the stairway in the kitchen lay
IL Skehan with bullet hoe through his head
and the pistol which he had taken from bureau
drawer at his side. The colored cook and another
servant had heard the shots and were on the scene
almost as soon as the stricken wife. The doors
and windows were found TO be secure they
were when the family retired. and there was no
trace of burglars either the outside or inside Of
the house.
ONE BALL IN THE BRAIN.
Dr. J. s. Brown. the family physician, was
called and found that one ball had grazed the fore
head and one had entered the brain at its base on
the right side and must have caused instant
death The third ball was not discovered. The
pistol used was an old-fashioned Smith & Wesson.
DR.. Walter 5. Washington. OF No. Washington
Place, Newark the county physician was called.
and after viewing the body and hearing the EVIL
dence gave a burial permit. DIR. Washington
said: There can be no doubt as to the wound
being self-infiicted and the deed was undoubtedly
committed white Mr.. Skehan was temporarily In
sane" Dr. Washington diagnosed the from
the reports which he received from the members
OF the family. all of which showed that the dead
man was on the verge OF a collapse for some time.
The people oi Upper Montclar speak In high
terms of the dead broker. and general regret is
expressed at his untimely end
hav haap do htrt
II is expected that the funeral will take place
on Thursday.
Mr. skehan was about Forty years old. From
his early youth h. had been identified with
Wall Street circles. and clerk and independent
operator earned the friei dship Of large circle.
Mr.. SSehan was known as man OF nerve"
who acted upon the basis Of the highest
business principles; had been storm-tossed in
his ambitions. and, Ii was feared. had been SO
pressed that In a moment OF desperation, had
taken his own life.
Despite the fact that his financial fortunes
had been placed In jeopardy through his partner
ship relations With the late Abram c. Bern
helm, 1t was generally asserted that Mr. Skehan
had borne himself with cOmposure and dignity,
and at the same time had consecrated his whole
energies TO save himself from the impending
wreck forced upon him by his confidence in
ore who. to his mind had betrayed his trust.
1t Is a fact which The Tribune is enabled to
state upon the best Of authority, that papers
had been prepared to he served within twenty
four hours against the Bernheim family for the
recovery, in Mr.. Ssehan's name OF $l26,0O0 ell
legged as the defalcation Of Abram c. 5ernheim
from the firm OF ;kehan Bernheim & Co. The
details OF these accusations may not be told
at present, yet the writer saw the papers yes
terday, and they bore the addendum: News OF
the death of Mr. Skehan having been received
this morning. the action Ia this case is tenn
porarily suspended"
TO BE PROSECUTED YET.
This means. as explained by one Of the parties
to the suit that me action will be duly prose-
cuted in behalf Of Mr. Skehans estate soon
as the proper preLmlna:ies shall be established
To what extent Mr. Skehan's losses through
Abram c. Bernheim influenced Mr.. Skehan's 8
mind was a subject Of intense interest yestcr
day TO his immediate friends and legal ad-
visers f. T.. Mccall, OF Mccall & Arnold, No
100 broadway. the counsel OF Mr Skehan in his
suit against the Bernheims. said II las,
Mr. Skehan Wednesday. November 20, in