The Washington times., 1902-12-05
HALF OF SILVER MONEY
MAY BE COUNTERFEIT
NO MOTIVE FOUND FOR
H. 7. GOODWIN'S SUICIDE
Business Affairs Of Philadel,
Phia Banker All Right.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 5.-Mystery en-
velops the motive which led Howard T.
Goodwin the well-knovn broker. to
take his life, If take Il he did.
Coroner Dugan. after making a thor
ough investigation OF fhe case. an
nounced that there was no Coubt in his
mind that it was suicide. although he
admitted that he did not know the mo-
tive. But relatives OF the dead man. who
declare that he had no reason to kill
himself. incline to the belief that the
shooting was accidental OF was done by
some one else.
Friends Of Mr.. Goodwin say that he
had been in extremely I'll health for six
months. and the theory is advanced by
many that in a moment OF temporary
alteration. caused by intense suffering.
he shot himself
Members of the firm Of J. G. Cassatt g.
/ Co, OF which Mr.. Goodwin was for years
the active manager, say that there is
nothing to be criticised in his business
affairs. Others with whom he had close
relations declare that his private mat
ters we're IN good condition His do
nestle life was particularly bright and
happy one.
recent attack Of typhoid fever left
Mr.. Goodwin's health very much i'm
paired. He was urged by his family and
friends to take a long vacation. but he
said that his business needed his atten-
zion, and he went back to work before
he was fit Many days he was at his
desk when he should have been in bed
He was IN indefatigable worker and a
slave to his business.
Large Life Insurance.
Mr.. Goodwin carried a large life in
surance Three policies on his life In
the Equitable Company aggregate $65. 600.
These have run just little more than
one year. and, under the suicide clause.
are now payable. 1t could not be learned
yesterday whether he had any more life
insurance or not.
A thorough search Of his Office was
made for some note or writing which
would throw some light on the affair. but
nothing Of this sort was discovered No
message vas sent TO his family. Coroner
Dugan said yesterday that letter ad-
/ dressed to Mr.. Cassatt was seen in the
letter rack. but the clerks in the Office
declare that It was not from Mr. Good
win.
John Lloyd. OF Altoona, a member Of
/ the firm OF Casgatt & Co. came 10 PhiIa-
delphia yesterday as soon as he heard OF
Mr.. GooJwin's death He was at the
Office until late last evening going over
the firms affairs with Manager Thomas.
He said the books were being examined.
but no discrepancies were found ami
none were suspected.
No Reason for Suicide.
J. o. Kerbaugh, brother-in-law Of Mr.
Goodwin. said yesterday that there was
no reason why he should commit suicide
Mr.. Kerbaugh said that the bullet
wound in Mr.. Goodwin's head was pecu-
liar, long wound. more like a cut. He
said that there were no powder marks
on his face, as would likely be the case
II he had held the pistol close 10 his
head.
The detectives are not working on the
case and the relatives win do nothing
until after the coroner's inquest.
Mr.. Goodwin married the daughter OF
she late Joseph F. Kerbaugh. a lime
dealer in this city They lived in the
old Kerbaugh villa in Ridley Park and
had one child. a daughter OF twelve
years. The funeral ARRANGEMENTS have
not yet been made
Many incidents were related yesterday
by friends OF Mr. Goodwin illustrating
traits OF his character. A prosperous
news agent told how the dead broker
had started him In business,
When a boy Of thirteen Mr. Goodwin
entered the service Of Cassatt & Co.
Soon afterward the bookkeeper died and
he applied for the place The elder Mr..
Cassatt laughed az him. but told him to
try. When he entered the credits on the
debit side OF the ledger his empID yer
thought there was no hope for him, bur
he persevered and mastered his task.
For twenty-nine years he was a trust
ed employe OF the house. OF late Mr.
Cassatt and Mr.. Lloyd have been away
from their business 10 'ch OF the time,
and Mr.. Goodwin. who carried a power
OF attorney from each. was the active
head Of the concern.
] ~ arsr~w.