New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-29
ECCENTRIC MANS SUICIDE
SHOT SELF IN BATHROOM.
Brother of Simon and Peter Banner,
Former Broad1Cdy CIothiers.

Victor Banner, about ffty-five years old. COM
mitted suicide early yesterday at his home, No.
IO7 West Sixty ninth-st., by shooting himself in
the right temple. The suicide. an eccentric man.
and almost a recluse, was a brother of Simon
and Peter Banner, former Broadway clothiers,
whose place of business at Grand-st. and
Broadway. Simon Banner now lives with his
son. S. Morrill, Banner. at No. 10 West Seventy
fourth-st. while his other brother Peter, lives
at the Hotel Majestic with his wife and family.
The reason for the suicide seems to be un-
known. According to S. Morril Banner, the
nephew of the dead man. Victor Banner came
to NewYork from San Francisco about eight
months ago. He took a room in the furnished
room house at No. 1O7 West Sixty-ninth-st.. of
which Mrs. A Reisinger is the landlady.
Mr.. Banner was heard to go into the house
shortly after midnight yesterday. About a. m.
Mary S. Watts, a servant, wen to the bathroom.
She found the body of Banner in the room The
body was seated on a chair, with arms hanging
limp at the side. Even the overcoat was on the
body. Beside the body revolver, and a
note as follows was found table: please
notify Simon Banner, No. 10 West Seventy
fourth-st.: you know why have done this"
The servant told two of the daughters of the
landlady, and they summoned DR.. II. d. Hatch,
a surgeon dentist, next door, glance at the
dead He gave as his belief that Banner had
been dead for several hours, probably having
committed suicide directly after his coming into
the house
1t was some hours before any Of the relatives
of the dead man or the coroner went to the
house In the mean time inquiry at the address
of S. NJ Banner, at No. % Broadway, failed TO
throw any light on the suicide, but rather made
it even more mysterious. Mr.. Banner was said
10 IL c.4I hat
he had been informed of such suicide, and
wished 1t published that he did not know the
deceased man at all. had never heard of him.
and the first news he had of the case was when
called I'D by telephone in reference to it. This
information later was found to be incorrect, as
s. NJ Banner, or otherwise S. Morrill, Banner,
was found to be the nephew Of the dead man.
Later in the day Simon Banner, one OF the
brothers Of the dead man, accompanied by b
Morrill, Banner. called at the home Of the dead
man.
When Coroner Scholer started to make an IN
vestigation he found in the bureau drawer a
stock quotation book, a gold watch and chain
and So 80 in cash. Young Banner went upstairs
while the search was being conducted. The
Coroner whispered to him eagerly, and was
overheard, undoubtedly telling him the contents
of the note found. The Coroner was overheard
to say: SAM you to blame for my act
evidently quoting from the letter.
Nothing like that was in It," angriy replied
young Banner later.
The Coroner assured him there was, and, to
prove It. called up the Coroners' office on The
telephone, and had the letter read to young
Banner. On leaving the house young Banner
was asked if he had heard OF the note lie
never asked my father for any money" was the
reply The young man would not talk further.
Later s. Morrill, Banner, the nephew, said
that ten years ago the firm Of Banner Brothers
was the leading wholesale clothing firm in this
city. the firm consisting OF Simon and Peter
Banner Victor Banner. the suicide, was not
member He was in the same business, how
ever at Virginia City and San Francisco. About
six years ago, he said, Victor Banner came East
with considerable money. He thought ne prop
had dabbled in Wall Street. but to what extent
could not say. Later the uncle returned TO san
Francisco, and came back here again iast april
when he took the room with Mrs. Retslnger,
paying SO week.
Young Banner said that If his uncle was in
financial difficulties and had asked. he could
have had all the money he wanted. Speaking Of
the sentence You know why did this. in the
letter young Banner said: Il can't conceive why
he should write that, as none or us knew any
thing al all about him"
ing that he never heard of any such man., and
denying his relationship, Banner said that the
name of the suicide given to him was Bartlett
Banner and such a person he did not know. At
the time he did not connect that name in any
way with that of his uncle Victor The police,
it was learned erred in sending out the name
Rartlett and received the incorrect name from
the negro servant who found the body.
Simon Banner said that a rumor of his brother
having been murdered was absurd He said he
knew of no reason for the suicide, except that
his brother had been specializing in Wall Street.
He could not account at all, he said, for the
suicide having written You know why have
done this