New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-01
BANK CASHIER SUICIDE.
HIS 4FFA. IRIS IRREGULAR.
Otto .AhimGnn. Shoots Self at the
4 lbemGrle.

II iBC NNNgE-
Otto Altman ca rhter and practical owner o.
re Bank az s. ateu Island and ore of the bes
known men 81 Re hmonc Borough committed
suicide yesterda; at the Hotel AibeInarle- Bani
Eaagniuer Judso p. after Inspection OF the "a
stitufson's books aanouaoed last night that its
affairs we're ire guitar. IT IN, afternoon IT was
rgsrored that tn shortage Of S2roOch
but ia e believed this was an exaggeration-
~ AhTnann's body found IN 2 bathroom
IN the hotel at TVenty-fourth-st and Broad
way lie had sh Of himself IL the head. He had
registered on We dnesday night. signing himself
20 F. Ahepeett, OF Albany" He appeared per
fectly sober. lie asked especially that { call FOR
so a. m should not be forgotten.
EDWARD p. D9yl ., secretary OF the Manor Park
Land Company. o 2 Staten Island identified the
body Mr. Doyle n I'D been asked. In a letter from
Ssr. Altman. ma lied on Wednesday night. TO
TAX. charge Of III 9 body. in II the cashier is
said TO have ex2r essed himself as being weary
Of living and having decided TO end il all.
In thu sabcheI ReIe another revolver. fully
loaded AID a box Of cartridges
BANK AT ONCE CLOSED.
sThe news reached the Bank OF Staten Island
.orry-hve minutes after il opened for business
yesterday morning. and IL once closed.
Bank Exam liner Judson said last night: AS
far az the Examination has gone it is apparent
the affairs the hank irregular I do not
care 20 mar any amount as the probable
shortage ana will not until Saturday when
there viii be NEE ting OF the directors, after
which a state ment VIII probably he made"
August PREF tice. tie president. said Il re
alize there Is trouble. but do think il right
TO speak one way or the other at this time ."
4 close friend Of Mr. Altman said he knew
Mr.. Altman had specuated in steel and in
cotton. and had been caught in the latter. Much
comment was caused when IL became known
that the Richmond County Savings Bank and
the Staten Island Savings Bank both OF which
deposited in the Bank 81 Staten Island, and
usually kept \ balance Of between $1,000 and
$4,000 each, had last week withdrawn their
accounts with the Bank Of Staten Island About
q dozen depositors in the savings banks became
panicky yesterday and drew out their accounts
thereby losing by few hours six months in
terest.
The Bank of Staten Island had the highest
rating given country banks in the New-York
Clearing House. 1t had a capital OF $500 and
a surplus Of $4,000. Its deposits are said 10
have averaged between $4,000 and $4,000
The city has considerable amounts in the bank
but cannot lose. as it has less than 100000 for
which the bank is bonded. The State is also Sc
cured by bonds for more than is likely TO be in
the bank now For yea.s IL was a common saw
ing 10 approve a mans business standing that
he was as solid as the Bank of Staten Island"
Mr.. AHLMANN's PROMINENCE.
Mr.. Altman was about ffty-fve years old
He came TO this country from Kiel. Germany
where his father is a banker and owrer of the
''Kiel Tageblatt." He is said to be one of the
richest men in Germany. Mr. Altman was not
married and was not much in the company Of
women, although occasionally he would take one
Gra.~ A
fortunate in love affair is doubted on Staten
Island. From early last spring until the close of
The hunting season Mr.. Altman kept apart
ments at the Richmond County Country Club at
Dongan Hills. He was fond OF cross-country
riding on a horse and seldom. IL ever. missed
run OF the Staten Island hounds. He owned
nuSaber Of fine horses. A week ago Mr.. ALL
sold his stable at what is said TO have
been a fraction OF its value. This is believed to
have been effort TO gain money TO tide over
his troubles He we'll known In society on
Staten Island. and was contributor to every
charity maintained permanently the island.
He was generally considered TO be worth some
thing close TO S1000O00 A few years ago he
bought 5O-foot sailboat. He loved the sport,
hat met a couple of mishaps within a short
period and then sold the boat. Mr.. Altman
was extremely methodical in his movements
He arrived al the bank I'm his carriage at $50
a. m daily. and at his desk at the hour.
IL is said that not once In his eighteen years of
connection with the hank was he late. Mr.. ALL
mann founded the bank when he first moved to
Staten Island. about eighteen years ago. and
kept for himself practically all the stock.
The bank was a city depositary. and through it
the city employees on Staten Island We're usually
paid Yesterday the pay checks for the month,
amounting 10 about $4,000 reached Staten ISL
ana I'm the morning but the bank closed before
they could be cashed. The city at once made
ARRANGEMENTS with the First National Bank at
ST George = honor the checks drawn the
closed banh- The First National is also city
depository Many OF the city employees had to do
without money for the holiday. however. as they
! called TO learn Of the arrangement in time TO
; reach the First National
Mr. Altman was treasurer and director OF
the Manor Park Land Company OF Staten ISL
end a trustee OF the Richmond County Saw
ings Bank and member OF the Calumet and
Reform clubs. Of this city; the Seawanhaka
Corinthiau Yacht Club ard the Richmond Coun-
T. Hunt Club.