The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-06
BULLET CUTS OFF A BANKER.
II. u. MCCONNELL KILLS HIMSELF TO
AVOID ARREST.

The Tragedy Follows the Arrival of
Deputy Marshal with a warrant
While He Was Dining with His
FamiIy-OnIH 80 Years Old and the
Youngest Bank President in the
COuntry-UgIy Discoveries in Com
nectiOn With His Banks Collapse.
Ocala, Fla, June 5.-Ocala was thrown
into a state of feverish excitement this
afternoon by the announcement that
Richard Brumby Mcconnell, president of
the defunct Merchants National Bank of
this city, had shot himself. The report
was quickly verified.
The unfortunate gentleman committed
the deed with a small derringer The shot
was instantly fatal. The bullet entered
the head just below the right ear and
came out just over the left eyebrow.
He had just returned from New York,
and was dining with his sister. Mrs. w.
X. Mcdonald. There were also present
Mr.. McConnell's wife, mother, child and
others, and just prior to the fatal moment
he was noticed to be In exuberant spirits.
The company were scarcely seated at
table, when a visitor was announced. 1t
proved to be Deputy United States Mar
shall Clark. He placed in Mr.. McConnelrs 5
hands a warrant for his arrest. The ill
fated gentleman asked for a few minutes
consideration, which was obligingly grant
ed. He went to an upper room, ostensibly
to get coat, and In a few minutes the
startling report of pistol was heard
The officer and family rushed upstairs to
find him dead.
Thus ends the career of one who started
out in life in Ocala with the most bril-
liant prospects OF any of it's citizens. When
he was but Is years of age he was cash
Ter of the Ocala Bank. Two years later,
when it was made a national bank, he
continued to hold this position. Before he
was % he was its president.
1t was stated at the time that he was
the youngest bank president in the Unit
ed States. He pulled the bank successful
ly through the great panic of 1898. His
reputation as a iinancier about this time
was so great that he was made presi-
dent Of the Brooksville State Bank. He
was treasurer of the Withlacoochee, Dun
mellon and Boulder Phosphate Com,
panies, the La Criolla Cigar Manufacture
ing Company and the Florida Bankers
Association, captain of the ocala Rifles,
member Of the governors staff. alder
man-at-large for the city, and treasurer
of the agencies Of the Equitable Life As.
surance Society, member of the knights
Of Pythias, Masonic fraternity and Grace
Il MI II ~.
most brilliant fnanciers of this state and
was the confidential and trusted friend
of the late John +. Dunn In his financial
! speculations. lie was born in this city
in 1867 and at the time of his death mad
| just completed his Both year. He leaves
a wife, child, sister and mother, and a
large circle of friends and acquaintance.
Had he not had large insurance policies
on his life. it is believed by his nearest
friends that he would have left his fam
! lily penniless. He will be laid to rest In
| the family burial ground In Edgewood
cemetery tomorrow afternoon at 4
! o'clock.
The issuing of the warrant which led
to the tragedy was the result of the dis
covery by G. @. stapylton, the receiver
Of the bank Of new Developments in the
banks affairs that reflected most serious
| ly against Mr.. Mcconnell.