New-York tribune., 1900-05-23
FOURTH SHOT KILLS EAK1N
RETIRED COTTON MERCHANT COMMITS
SUICIDE IN HIS OFFICE.
A LAWYER WAS TO CALI. AT 4:3O P. M BUT
THE MAN WAS DEAD AT 4-FINAN-
CIAL TROUBLES ALLEGED.

James D. Eakin. a retired cotton merchant
of the founders of the New-York Cotton
Exchange, and for many years a member of the
Brick Presbyterian Church. committed suicide
at o'clock yesterday afternoon by shooting
himself in the right temple at his office No. 43
Exchange Place
The relatives of the dead man say that poor
health what drove him to suicide. Others
supposed to be conversant with the affairs of
Mr. Eakin say that undoubtedly he fnan-
ciay embarrassed. This view of the for
the deed strengthened when Miss Anna
Eakin oldest daughter of the dead man. told
Coroner Hart last night that she feared her
father had been worrying about financial in
terests for some time.
Eakins office the second floor in the
front. He had retired from the cotton business
many years ago, but was up to his death still
a member of the Cotton Exchange but trans
acted little no business. The building. No 43
Exchange Place, is owned by his brother-in-law,
Robert w. Stuart. The clerk in the adjoining Of
flee heard a sound like the report of a revolver.
Opposite in Exchange Place workmen en-
gagged in tearing down building and the clerk
was confused to whether the noise came
from this source not. He spoke to the janitor,
Thomas Farrell, and the latter went in search
of a policeman. Policeman Lauesser, of the Old
Slip station, with Farrell. tried to gain entrance
to Eakns office. but found the door securely
bolted. They gained the fire escape and raised
the window of Eakin's office They found Eakin
dead in a chair. A revolver lay on the floor
him, and from all appearances 1t was
bought shortly before the shooting. He had
moved the chair close up to the side of the wash
sink; it is probable he intended to prevent blood
staining the floor and. leaning over in for
ward position. pulled the trigger. That he was
not successful with the first three cartridges
was shown by the fact that it was the fourth
one that exploded the Coroner finding three in
dentations on the other three made by the i'm
perfect hammer.
The shooting brought nearly all the occupants
of the building TO the scene among them Iomp-
kins c. Delavan, broker, and a close friend
of the dead man. He at once sent word 10 the
relatives of Eakin, and his eldest daughter
came later to the office. Delavan. it was evil
dent, knew considerable about Mr.. Eakins bust
ness affairs. He very much excited, and
would not put forward any motive for the act.
1t learned that when he entered the office,
laboring under excitement, he gave vent TO
the remark that the dead man had been
forced to the deed. When asked about this
Delavan said that he had not said 1t. but did
say that certain spendthrifts had pressed the
old man with demands he could not meet.
Robert w Stuart. the owner Of the building
later in company with the dead mans son and
an undertaken. He gave out the following state
ment concerning Mr.. Eakin's death:
The cause of my brother-in-laws act was
unquestionably i'll health He suffered
attack of the grip last winter and has never
rallied from it, He had complained constantly
of pains and a buzZing sound in his head.
Lfr. Eakin up to six years ago was, as was his
widow, executor Of the estate of Thomas
Eakin, the latter being the dead mans uncle,
who died in 1877. He was relieved of this posi-
tion six years ago and the estate placed in the
trusteeship of the NewYork and Life Trust
Company. He has done nothing since and could
not have been in financial difficulties.
Coroner Hart granted d burial permit. 1t
learned that messenger boy had been to Mr..
Eakin's office before the shooting and delivered
him message. The fragments of the message
were found in the wastebasket by the Coroner.
1t was found to have been sent by John V.
Irwin, a lawyer, of No 203 Broadway, and
told Eakin that he Urwin) could not come to
his office until 430 o'clock, when he would
bring the account for Eakin to sign. Irwin
came later but would not talk
Eakin lived at No. 2S3 Lexington-ave., where
a widow, three daughters and two sons survive
him. Stuart Eakin. his eldest son, is employed
in the Chemical National Bank, and Alexander,
his other son. is attending school in this city.
Mr.. Eakin was sixty-nine years old
Two daughters of Thomas Eakin, of whose
estate the dead man was at one time executor,
now make their home in Paris 1t was one Of
these daughters who, it is alleged, has been a
frequent caller at Mr. Eakins office during the
last few months. When Robert w. Stuart
asked about her visits last night he said:
There is no woman in the case far
am The woman who has been calling
on Mr.. Eakin at his office is his Paris cousin,
that is ALL
Mr.. Eakin was born in Nashville. and served
throughout the war in the Confederate Army,
rising to the rank of a major in the Commits
sary Department. After the he came to
New-York and established the firm of Eakin &
Adams. He had lived at No. 2S3 Lexington
for about twenty years. The house is
handsome four story and basement brownstone
structure. He belonged to clubs. He mar
ried daughter Of the late Joseph ]. Stuart
1T learned last night that John V. Irwin
IS the son Of William Irwin, who was confden-
tial attorney of Mr. Eakn Mr. Irwin said that
Mr. Eakin was the executor of the estate of
Thomas Eakin He did not know much about
the estate, his relations with Mr.. Eakn were
not of long standing. He said that about three
desired to file account of the sale of some
securities of the estate at the Surrogates office
and instructed him to recopy list of the securi-
ties made by Mr.. Eakin. He added that he
ried out the instructions and to have met
Mr. Eakn yesterday afternoon. so that Mr.
placed file This account he said showed
that the securities had been sold at 81 900 more
than their appraised value. So far he knew,
Mr.. Eakn had business difficulties. and he
would aScribe no reason for his death, except
sickness. He said Mr.. Eakin had attack OF
the grip last winter. and while sick. instead of
remaining at his home up and attending to
business. He did not know the estimated value
of the Thomas Eakn estate. who were the
other heirs. He thought that Coudert Brothers
represented other persons interested.