New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27
G. ". GARTH A SUICIDE.
JUMPS FROM STEINER.
President of Mechanics National
Bank Acted Like One Crazy.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Galveston Tex Dec 26.-G. w. Garth. OF No.
SO Wall-st. New-York a prominent broker and
president Of the Mechanics National Bank, Of
that city committed suicide last night about
O'Clock by jumping overheard while passenger
the steamship Denver. which arrived in port
tonight. The above information is obtained
from Captain Evans. Of that vessel
It seems that Mr.. Garth has been suffering
from extreme nervousness ever since the Den
yer left New-York. refusing food and existing
almost entirely tea and a little bread. He
refused to associate with his fellow passengers
and only went into the dining room after all but
the walters had left For small favors he al
ways tipped the waiters-the gratuities being
five or ten-dollar bills He had a wallet with
$7O0 in currency. which he at one time deposited
with Mr.. Lawson. a fellow passenger This
was later restored to him. however.
According to the statements Of the passengers
and Captain Evans, Mr.. Garth suffering
from hallucinations during the entire trip. He
seemed 10 think that his bank had failed At
time chains were ratified on deck In divid-
ing the staterooms from the steerage compart-
ment, and. hearing this. Mr.. Garth exclaimed
that he about to be put into chains. and
piteously begged that liberty be allowed him
No effort made TO restrain him.
Mr. Garth's initials do not appear on the pas
senger Iist-an unusual thing. Some Of the pas
sengers are under the impression he was going
under an assumed name. and as he made a
confdant of none Of them this cannot be con-
frmed denied.
Mrs. Garth at her home No. $50 West Fifty
ninth-st, said last night that her husband was
probably fearing insanity or a form OF paralysis
which was in the family and which for the last
three years has made his father, Horace z.
Garth, a helpless invalid He had been break
ing down for some time and complained fire.
quentIy of overwork and pains in the back Of
his head
Last Friday he consulted a specialist but re-
fused to tell his wife what the doctor had said
beyond the statement that he must take a sea
voyage at once. The trip 70 Galveston was
decided on Mrs. earth said her husband acted
strangely on leaving her and refused in spite
of her desire TO take trained nurse, and bade
his family good-by in way that suggested
a perman mt separation
She says that she is convinced that the
DOCTOR had warned him OF the approach either
OF insanity or the dreaded paralysis.
Mr. Garth was born In Memphis. Tenn. forty
years ago. When he Vas sixteen years old the
family moved TO New-York. and young Garth
entered Columbia University On being gradu-
ated he entered the Mechanics National Bank
OF which his father was president, a messen-
ger and quickly worked UP TO the position OF
first cashier. On his fathers retirement three
years ago, he took up the duties OF first vice
president and president Of the bank also He
was the youngest clearing house bank presi-
dent in the city.
He was a member OF the Union League
Metropolitan. New-York Athletic, Ardsley and
Norwood clubs