Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-21
C. A. Geiger, Crazed by
Losses, Shoots Broker.
j. h. 0|iphant Lies Dying IN
New York Hospital.
Geiger Then Shoots Himself Twice
and Falls Dead by Victim.

New York, Dec. e0.-JameS I'll. On
plant, senior member of the Stock EX-
change firm of james H. Oliphant &
Co., is dying tonight from bullet
wound inflicted at his office this af
tcrnOOn by Charles a. Geiger, a Gus
toner from Beaufort, S. c.. who, af-
ter firing upon Oliphant, killed him.
self.
The men were closeted in ELEPHANTS
priv ate office at the time, and all that
| l., known of what Immediately preced-
ej the shooting was learned from the
dying broker. Oliphant said that his
refusal to extend further credit to
eigcr caused the tragedy. There is
reason to believe, however, that Geiger
had become mentally Irresponsible A
note book found upon his person con-
tanned computations by which the
writer apparently figured that he
would be worth 100000 by Jan. l,
1908. He actually possessed so far as
his personal effects showed. less than
$1l
Geiger owed the ELEPHANTS $4,000 and
had been asked for settlement. He
called at their office today and after
explaining that he could not meet his
obligations asked that the firm ad
vance him sufficient credit to carry
5000 shares Of a certain stock until
raise in the price yielding him 4 profit.
His request was refused and the shoot
ing followed.
The offices of James Fl. Oliphant &
Co. are at 20 Broad street. in the CEN
ter of the financial district and the
tragedy caused Il sensation in the
street, and temporarily interrupted the
business Of the curb traders which
| takes place in front of the big office
buillins.
Clerk" who pushed their way into
OliphantS office when they heard shots
fired stumbled over Geiger's dead body.
He had shot himself in the mouth and
in the right temple. A revolver was
clutchcd in his right hand. Oliphant
had slipped from his chair and lay
half concealed under his desk. A bullet
had entered his stomach. but he was
still conscious. At the hospital, where
the operation of laparOtomy was per-
formed. it vas found that the bullet
had rr1zcd his kidneys and lodged in
his back. 1t was not removed
oliphtnt's antc-mortem statement
was supplemented by 4 statement from
| the brokers' partners, who included
ELEPHANTS son. J. Norris Olirhant
According to young OInhant. Gci2cr
belonged to tho class Of spectators
known IN TIE street aS 'Odd-lnt Gus
toners. the term being applied to
tlI"S" who always have something on
the board. buying or selling in 10 or 30
| share lots. ana never inNnSt 1t great
amount but frequently risk all they
possess. Gciger'S tradingS were always
on small scale. il was said
Papers found in Il room which Gpgtr
occupied last night at the Holland
mouse indicated. however. that he had
lost ~ less than $7:.0oo in dealings in
steel Common. and that he still owed
the ELEPHANTS 5000 It is also inferred
from thcS" papers ana is partially con-
tirmcd by acquaintanccS that GeiGcr
had lost al he possessed and that he
went to the brokers' Office today it was
in tho hope of "bttining credit by which
he might r"cuperate his finance.
He opened an account with the Oil
plants Sept. -. 1905. ana operated in
steel Common until Sept. :, 1904 when
IL left for Beaufort. s. q. AZ the tiirc
(
cent depreciation in the price of secur-
tics resulted in Il debit balance against
HIM OF 5000.
ON Nov. 3. while stopping at tn"
Piedmont hotel in Atlanta. Ga. he
wrote to the ELEPHANTS asking Them t.
send a check to the Fifth Avenue Bank
here FOR $3.50 to be credited to his ac-
count. Oliphant replied that the re-
quest could not be granted, because he
owed them money. They added that II
his account was closed out on the floor
there would he a loss Of $1,000. Thc
firm offered. however. to take over his
holdings at certain price and 10 al
low him to make good later whatever
balance then remained in favor of the
firm. Whether this arrangement was
concluded is not clear.
Late yesterday Geiger reached New
York and registered at the HOLLAND
House. This morning he called on Mr..
Oliphant and. though evidently disap-
pointed at not receiving further credit.
left. il is said. without any unpleasant
ness. This afternoon he returned. re-
newed his proposition. and upon again
being refused, suddenly drew a revolver
and commenced firing Oliphant, while
supported in the arms of his son. was
able to say: He shot me. | guess the
poor fellows mind was deranged."
subsequently. at the hospital Oliphant
! told more about his interview with
GeiSer.
| Aside from his Wall street transac
tons. comparatively little is known Of
! Geiger here.
O!iphants home is at AS Clinton ave-
nue.. Brooklyn He is prominent liz
business and socially. He is a director
| in the Lafayette Fire Insurance Co,
the st Lawrence River Real Estate AS
ISOLATION. d trustee in the Title Guaran-
tee and Trust Co. and member of the
Stock Exchange. the Chamber of Com
merce. the New York Athletic Club and