The evening Republican., 1902-07-16
SUICIDE
At SMYRNA.

stables of his brother.in-law, J. w.
Beckett, caused stir today.
Mr.. Mariner, who had number OF
business interests in Smyrna, came
down from the city last night rather
unexpectedly. claiming that he
wanted to visit his aged mother. He
spent pleasant evening with his
mother and Mr.. and Mrs. Beckel t,
after which he retired, apparently
well In body and mind. He arose
very early this morning, probably
about daybreak, and proceeded to
the stable.
Mr.. Beckett, who had to look after
an early shipment of eggs. arose
about S o clock and, soon after, went
to the carriage house. Then he dis.
covered his well-dresssd brother.in-
law prostrate on the floor. Or. j. W.
Clifton was hastily summoned and
an effort was made to restore some
signs of life in the apparently dead
man. but without avail. There were
some injuries upon the body, but
these may have been caused by a
fall.
Mr.. Mariner a was handsome man,
about so years old. aud married, but
without children. His wife was tele-
graphed for tU come from Philadel-
phia Immediately after the discovery
OF bis death. He went from Smyrna
about twenty years ago, with some
experience in the wall paper busi-
uess and was soou established in the
Wholesale paper business in the
Quaker City.
Later Developments shows that
the death Of Mr.. Mariner was un.
doubtedly suicide for which he had
mace deliberate preparations. II ap.
pears to have been due to financial
over the settling Of guardianship
over two children who were about to
become Of age. Mr.. Mariner carried
life insurance Of 100000, part Of
which was pledged as collateral for
the guardianship. but enough is left
to make the bene ticaries comfortable.
The benefcaries are his wife, his
mother aud his niece Miss Beckett
Mr.. Mariner iu the morning had
prepared a blanket and spread it
upon the cement floor Of the carriage
house in Mr.. Beckett's stable. He
carefully laid down upon the blanket
and fired a pistol ball through his
right temple.
a coroner's jury was summoned
for this evening with William Denny
Hazel as foreman. and Walter O.
HChecker US secretary. The jury
was unable to proceed because the
witnesses were SO overcome by shock
that they could not testify, Mr..
Mariners place of business was the
Philadelphia Wall Paper Mills Com
panv, Of which he was president
His residence was at the Frontenac
Hotel. Mr.. Mariner spent money
lavishly, and was most generous and
hospitablc. He was very kind and
consideraue Of his relatives and was
continually making presents to them.
He was raised and brought up in
Smyrna, being son Of the late j.
L. Mariner, who was killed by
train on Commerce street, Smyrna,
many years ago.
In early manhood, Mr.. Mariner
left Smyrna and engaged in busi-
ness in Philadelphia, and has been
reg arded as one Of the most success
fu OF the Smyrna young men who
had left that town in search Of for
tune elsewhere. lie was we'll known
in Philadelphia manufacturing circles.
A recent article in trade journal
published in the interest Of the wall
paper business contains statements
that seem to explain many of Mari
Der's financial difficulties. 1t Is said
that his factory was closed two weeks
ago and that the 100 or more en-
ployes were given an extra weeks
pay and told to take vacation.
They we're informed that they would
be notified when the factory resum-
ed operations,
The trade Journal article says;
"Tuesday, July l, twenty-five of Mr..
Mariners creditors met in New York
for the purpose Of looking into his
accounts. MariLer was not present
in person, 1t was stated at the
meeting that his liabilities amounted
to about Sl6O.O OOc. 70 cover this
there was but $1,000 assessable. and
it was shown that Mariners difficult
ties were serious.
MI. Mariner wanted to submit q
proposition Of IS per cent. In settle.
ment oy long notes, with interest,
promising topay all claims Of less
than $3.50 within one year, and the
larger amounts within five years. 1t
was shown that he had loaned large
sums Of money 10 various persons
which lie could not collect. Mariner
wanted to continue his business on
borrowed money, but this was not
accept able to his creditors.
1t was shown that during the past
three years the wall paper mill had
done SllO, 900 worth Of business. but
IL is said Mr.. Mariner lost $40, 900 Of
this amount 10 stock specui ations.
II issaid that he owned no property
except the machinery In the mill.
lie had life Insurance to the amount
of 500, 900, $4,000 Of which was
payable TO his estate and the balance
to his mother and slster. Several
banks in New York and Philadel.
phia hold s55 900 Of the $50, 900 as
collateral for money that he borrow.
ed.
When Mariner purch ased the mill
from the Sutcliffe estate some few
years ago he is said 10 have paid
$500 for it. lie paid $4,000 or this
amount at the time, and the remain
ipg $2500 would have been due on