The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-15
Scheduled That Amount in a
Will Two Years Ago.
HE WAS NOT RUINED.
Could Have Paid Everything
and Had Millions Left.
He Told the Doctor Shooting
Was Accidental.

New York, Nov. 15.-That Charles T
Barney. the financier and society lead
er, who killed himself yesterday, was
by no means ruined financially appears
to be proven by statements as to his
business affairs, which were made pub
lie following his tragic death. The
cause of his act of self destruction,
therefore, is believed to have been
something deeper than the money loss
which came with the finacial crash i'll
which Barney and so many others were
involved. Friends and business asso-
ciates of the dead banker who had
been working for weeks in attempting
to settle his business affairs, said that
even at the present low level of prices,
securities and titles to property held
by Mr.. Barney will exceed his obllga-
tions by more than $2,5OO,OOO. They
express confidence, too. that all buSi-
ness holdings can be protected and
that on the rising market which they
expect to follow period of depression
the value of the estate will be greatly
enhanced.
1t is largely to his inability to endure
the blot upon his business reputation
which he feared would result from the
suspension of the knickerbocker Trust
company and grief over the knowledge
that many of his friends had been car
ried down to ruin in the collapse OF his
enterprises, that his closest friends at
tribute his act. He had been at the
head of the Knickerbocker Trust COM
pany for many years and had seen it
grow from a comparatively obscure
concern to one of the leading financia,
institutions Of the city. Then almost
without warning, came the crash.
The resignation of Mr.. Barney as
president of the Knickerbocker Trust
company was accepted by the directors
of the institution and the next day the
great trust company with obligations
to it's depositors amounting to nearly
$40 nAA ono forced tn SIlSnan6
ment. In the run which lasted less
than full day, the enormous total OF
$4,000, 600 was paid across It's counters
Afternoon saw the big front doors
closed and the issuance of notice that
the company had found it necessary to
temporarily suspend payment.
Seen But Seldom.
With his departure from the trust
company after his resignation as presi-
dent, Barney was seen but seldom, even
weeks while the financial storm was at
the heights of its intensity he did not
appear at his office. A few days ago,
however, at the urgent solicitation OF
friends that he step into the breach and
do what he could to stem the tide which
was sweeping away his fortune. Mr..
Barney resumed an active interest in
his business affairs. That his health had
suffered severely in the interval was
apparent. He was worn, haggard,
troubled. The struggle was hardly
worth while, he told his friends. He
HAD given his life to the upbuilding of
a fortune and a reputation for business
integrity, and he feared both had been
ruined. Tangled ends of his many
great business enterprises were quickly
brought together, however, and there
was every assurance, his associates say,
he would weather the storm with a big
margin, perhaps a fourth of his orig
inal fortune to spare. But Mr.. Barney
would not be comforted by assurances
He brooded over the blow which had
been dealt his business reputation and
of the losses which he believed some or
his friends had sustained indirectly
through him. 1t was in a moment of
intense depression, brought on by
thoughts like these his friends believe
that he fired the shot which resulted in
his death.
Said 1t Was Accidental.
Though Mr.. C. T. Barney has been de-
clared suicide by the coroner, accord
ing to DR.. George A. Dixon, the family
physician. enc of the first doctors to be
Mr.. Barney's last words to
him were. Doctor, this was accidental"
DR.. O'Hanlon, the coroners assistant,
who afterward extracted the bullet, also
holds the opinion that Mr.. Barney did
did not kill himself Intentionally. "It
seems to me practically impossible" he
said, "that a man should kill himself
in such a way. Judging from Mr.. Bar
his determination I can not believe that
he shot himself in such a way. He
would have taken better aim. This is
not a case of suicide"
Mr.. Hanley, head of the homicide de-
partment of the district attorneys Of
ice who was sent for, George L. Mich
ols of counsel for Mr.. Barney shortly
after the shooting held the same view.
Coroner Julius Hamburger, on the 9TH
ar hand, states positively that 1t is
clear case of suicide.
''It could have been nothing else,' said
Mr.. Hamburger. Mr.. Barney shot him
self and there can be no doubt about
hat I believe he shot himself because
Of the events of the last few days judg
ng from all the circumstances sur
the case"
A third view is held by a number of
,ther persons. These say that Mr.. Bar
1ey was holding the pistol in front of
aim preparatory to raising 1t to shoot
when it accidentally went off.
However, Mr.. Barney's friends all ad-
nit that his embarrassed financial
condition greatly worried him; that he
lad lost ambition and they assert that
Z he committed suicide, as it appears,
lie did, he committed the act in weak
of dependency.
His Financial Condition.
Martin & Nichols, the counsel of Mr..
Barney, have given out a statement of
3arney's financial condition, in which
hey say:
'eWhiIe Mr. Barney was financially |
his embarrassment was
,nly temporary. His property consist |
ID largely of real estate and the stocks |
# banks and trust and realty compan- |
es which could not be sold under exist |
ng conditions except at enormous sac
ifices. All of his creditors had been |
cen and had signified their entire will |
ngness to extend the payment of his |
obligations for sufficient period to en-
lbIe his assets to be converted into |
.asb In order to accomplish this "A /