Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-03-17
DEATH OF FRANK PYLE.

A Prominent business Man Ends iIis Ltfo |
by u Pistol Ballet at His Home, Friday |
Afternoon.
Frank Pyle, president Of the Q. i j.
Pyle Co., committed suicide at hi5
residence, Tenth and Franklin streets,
Friday afternoon, by shooting himself 10
tho head. The nova made a profound
impression upon the community, for
MIR. Pyle, standing at the head OF the
largeet patent leather manufactory in
the world, q mumber of the Municipal
Commission which drafted the proposed
new city charter, and with prominent
social connections, was widely known
and respected. So far as knowu, he
had no business troubles, and in seek
ing to find a cause for his act, family
worries have been mentioned. Whether
these latter, or worry over heart trouble.
OF which he ID said to have complained,
was tho cause, Ia matter of con lecture.
On Friday morning he went to the
Office OF the @. & j. Pyle Co., as usual
and seemed to be IN fair spirits. lie
left there about $3.50 O'Clock in the
afternoon, anu, after attending to sew
eral business matters, went home, arriv-
ing there about 4 O'Clock. Mrs. Pyle
and her daughter, Amelia, had gone out
for drive, as he learned from AMMO
Thompson, the colored cook, who was
the only person in the house with him,
Mr. Pyle went upstairs, und the COOK
busted herself in preparing dinner,
company being expected.
Mrs. Pyle aud Miss Pyle returned
from their drive about $50 O'Clock.
NJ iss Pyle went to make few calls in
the neighborhood, AMI her mother
entered the huuse. and went upstairs,
expecting to find her husband in his
"dsn," on the third floor. She found
him in his ''den," sitting iG chair,
his arms hanging at his side, ana on
| his breast Al cnlihre revolver, with
which he had put bullet through his
| temple. When the awful truth flashed
| upon her, she ran screaming downstairs,
and told the servant what had hap
pened, sending hHr to call Frederic
lyle, a brother OF the deceased, who
liyea nearby. In few minutes he and
other members Of the family were on
the scene. Elmer L. Mitchell hurried
for phyeician. Some time afterwards
DIR. j. A. Draper, and little later,
Dr. joseph T.. Pyle, the family physi
clan. arrived, but death had been in
stantaEeous, and they could do nothing.
Deputy Coroner Chandler was noti-
fled. When he reached the stricken
house, the body was in the same position
as when found by Mrs. Pyle. Nothing
was found that would throw any light
as tu the CAUSE of the deed. MIR. Chand-
Ter will hold an inquest.
Frank Pyle was 81 years of age, and
was the son of Cyrus Pyle and nephew
of Joseph Pyle, the founders Of the O.
&. j. Pyle Co. Going into the Office
when young man, he remained until
he became the head of the concern, its
main Office being at Sixth and Monroe
streets. A wife and three children sur,
viye him, the children being Mrs. Ger
trude Kitchen, who is now in Detroit
4 Frank Pyle. who is III st. Petersburg,
Russia, and Miss Amelia S. Pyle, who
lives at home. He was director of tht
Equitable Guarantee and Trust Co.,
and member of the Municipal Com
mission, of Eureka Lodge, a. +. A.
NJ, and of the Wilmington Whist Club
The funeral took place On Mon
day afternoon. Services WAS held a
the house at 2.30 O'Clock. lntermen
| WAS urivatn