The sun., 1903-12-28
MR.. GARTH OUT OF HIS MIND.
BANK PRESIDENTS Suicide
DOES NOT .AFFEtT THE BANk.
His Mental Disturbance Attributed 10
Anxiety Over Personal Matter-State.
ments on NchnIf OF the Bank and OF
the Widow. One OF the Me tOmb Heirs.

any reasonable doubt that when Granville
W. Garth, president of the Mechanics
National Bank, at 33 Wall street, committed
suicide by jumping from the deck of the
Mallory liner Denver into the Gulf Of Mexico
on Christmas night, he was not in his right
mind. For four or five months before his
death he had suffered from nervous pros
tration, which reached an acute stage three
weeks ago
Whatever may nave been the cause OF
the disease, it had no relation to the con-
dition of the bank of which he was the presi-
dent to his own relations with the bunk, or
to the condition Of his personal finances
The bank is sound as bell There is noth-
ing wrong with Mr.. Garths accounts and,
so far as any one knows. his personal fort
une, which is considera J!e, is unimplired
There was an informal meeting OF SONS
of the banks directors at the residence OF
one of them yesterday afternoon When
it was over, Alexander y. Orr, the vica -prsh-
dent, gave out the following statement
am exceedingly grieved and shocked over
the sad death of Granville W Garth. be-
cause of the manner OF his death and his
official relation to the Mechanics National
Bank, realize that it is becoming o me as
its vice president to mike this stat ement
Mr.. Garth had been president of the bank
for some years. succeeding his father, Horace
f.. Garth. who, through failing health. was
obliged to withdraw from the activities OF
management. although continuing director.
Under Granville Garth's administration
the bank has continued to advance and pros
per, Its present condition, certified to at the
semi-annual examination held a few days
ago prior 10 the declaration of the January.
1904. dividend, being: capital, S20O000O. and
surplus over s2700OO0 with other matters
not estimated. which would decidedly IN
crease these figures.
For some time Mr.. Garth had been far from
well. and within the past few weeks he had
seemed to be on the verge of mental prostra-
ton. At a meeting Of the directors held on
Dec. IA the following resolution was unanl-
mously adopted by our board
"Whereds our president has been ailing in
health for some time past. and with aiview
of preserving to this bank his services, which
have proved so valuable. 1t is
"Rcsolred That we urge our president to
take vacation of four months from this
date 80
Mr.. Garth consented to take the vacation
urged upon him by his directors, and. also
mt their suggestion. before leaving New York
he consulted DR.. Francis Delafield. who ad-
ysed perfect rest for n time from all busi-
ness cares, together with short sea voyage.
With these objects in view he sailed with u
companion on the Mallory Line steamer Den
SSa5d9y s9 III n II
Mr. Garth's relations with his parents were
most loving and hii4l and he enjoyed their
fullest confidence. 1t was mental anNiety
of an altogether personal character that
caused he sad death bas TO srsst n
! can therefore truthfully certify that II lny
judgm ent this was the sole cause OF bis illness
and un timely end A. +. ORR
Yesterday Mrs. Garth and her two
daughters, aged about II and 0, wers
at the Garth apart ment in the Granada.
1850 Central Park South, but Mrs.
Garth was too Frustrated to see any but
intimate friends. Before her marriage,
Lily McComb, daughter Of the late James
Jennings McComb vino died on March 81
1901. leaving large fortune. Another
daughter was Miss Fanny r; Mccomb.
w4G maed no lone nss ef asrfheg he ahers dea
and against his wishes Mrs: Garth re-
ferred reporters to Mr. and Mrs. Herzog.
who live at the Beaux Arts, Fortieth street
and Sixth avenue. Last evening Mrs.
Herhog said:
"An article print ed in one of the papers
this morning, to the effect that Mr.. Garth
was literally driven to suicide because of
my sisters friendship for riding master
of the name of Hubert Hart igan. is almost
too disgusting TO not ice. want to say.
however, that it is withou the shad low of
truth. Mrs. Cart h was inst ruct ed in horse
back riding by Hart igan and subsequently
she employed him IS groom, and his sister,
a pretty Irish girl, a. maid for her children.
charged them they were dismissed while
the Garhs were staying at Norwood.
1T is more than likely that Mr. Garth
was insane. His, actions for some time
have been hardly those OF a man in his
right mind | hardly ink that a sane
man would have done many things he had
done in the past year. ,,-,-
H. Larkin, said MIR. Garth had been suf-
fering from nervous prostraion for about
five months. Three weeks ago he showed
symptoms of an unba lanced mind. Then
some of his intimate friends persuaded him
to consul! DR. Dnahn1, who ordered a
long vacation and rest from all business
cares. The trip TO Texas was arranged
and | understand that Thomas lawson
agreed to go with Mr. Garth, being an old
friend of his. Mr.. Garth was man of
great nervous energy Of lust the sort of
temperament o become victim to nervous
prostration. As TO what may have brought
on the attack | do not care TO speculate.
Mr.. Orr's statement shows that business
cares did not bring il on.
1t was learned from attorneys for both
Mr and Mrs. Garth that no legal proceed
inCs of anv kind between them were pend
ing or under adVi-en"ni.
There is on record Al MOrriStown, n. j..
a deed showing thai on Nov. last Theodore
SchmalhoiZ, who lives near Bconton. trans
ferred to Hubert Nj. llartigan two large
tracts Of farm land between Madison and
Nhippany. ON thi" tract there is a large
house. stock barn and a track for horses
No consideration is named, bu' the property
is said to he worth from $1,000 20 1000
The sale. il is said, was made through
Lawyer Irving +. Salmon of Ro"ntcn.
Hartigan was y rdirg n nstcr AT Durlanns
beio re he was employed by the Garths "a
a groom.
There seems to be n MISUNDERSTANDING