Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-21
WALLSTREETTRAGEDY
SPECULATION KILLS BECKER,
THEN COMMITS SUICIDE.


Olirhant. senior member of the stock ex-
change firm of James H. Oliphant & Co.,
was fatally shot yesterday afternoon at
Geiger. customer from Beaufort, 8. c..
who then killed himself.
The men were closeted. in Oliphant's pri-
vate office. and all that is known of what
Immediately preceded the. shooting was
learned from the dying broker. Oliphant
sad his refusal to extend further credit
to Geiger caused the tragedy. There is rea-
son to believe. however, that Gaiger had
become mentally irresponsible. A note
book found upon him contained computa-
tons by which the writer apparently had
figured that he would be worth zoo
by January 1. 1905. He actually pos
sessed, so far as his personal effects
showed less than $11.
Geiger. according to the firm. owed the
ELEPHANTS 5000, and had been asked for
a settlement. He called at their Office.
and after explaining that he could not
meet his obligation asked that the firm
advance him sufficient credit to carry
1900 shares of a certain stock until rise
in the price should yield him profit His
proposition was refused, and the shoot
ing followed
Interrupted Curb Traders.
The offices are at 20 Broad street, and
the shooting caused a sensation in the
street temporarily interrupting the busi-
ness of the curb traders.
Clerks who pushed their way into Oil
plants office when they heard shots STUN
bled over Geigers body He had shot
himself in the mouth and right temple.
Oliphant had slipped from his chair and
lay half concealed under his desk. A bull
let had entered the stomach The broker
was still conscious At the hospital the
operation of laparotomy was performed,
but the bullet was not removed.
ELEPHANTS ante-mortem declaration was
supplemented by a statement from the
brokers' partners. who included Oliphant' s
son. J. Norris Oliphant.
According to young Oliphant, Geiger.
who was thirty-nine years old, six feet
mustache.. belonged to the class of specu-
lators known in the street as 'odd lot
customers" the term being applied to
those who always have something on the
board. buying or selling in ten or twenty
share lots, never investing great amount.
but frequently risking all they possess.
Had Lost $4,000.
Papers found in a room which Geiger
occupied last night in the Holland House
indicate. however that he had lost no less
than $4,000 in steel common and that he
still owed the ELEPHANTS 5000 1t was
also indicated by these papers. and partly
confirmed by acquaintances. that Gefger
had lost all he possessed, and that when
he went to the brokers' office yesterday
it was In the hope of securing credit
through which he might recuperate his
fortune.
He opened an account with the ELEPHANTS
September 25, 1905 and operated in steel
common until September I, 1907, when he
left for Beaufort, s. c. At the time his
account was secured. but the recent de-
probation in the price of stocks resulted
in a debit balance against him of 5000.
This he was repeatedly asked to make
good. November 30, while stopping at
the Piedmont Hotel. Atlanta. Ga, he
a check to the Fifth Avenue Bank here
for $3.50 to be credited to his account.
The ELEPHANTS replied that the request
could not be granted, as he owed them
money.
Wounded Man Expressed Pity.
Geiger reached New York Thursday.
Yesterday morning he called on Mr.. Oil
plant and though evidently disappointed
at not receiving further credit. left, it was
said without any unpleasantness. In the
afternoon he returned. renewed his propo-
sition. and, upon again being refused, sud-
denly commenced firing.
Oliphant. while supported in the arms Of
his son, was able to say: He shot me. l
guess the poor fellows mind was de-
ranged" He died at the hospital at
clock this morning
Oliphant was prominent in business and
socially. He was a director in the La
fayette Fire Insurance Company, the St.
Lawrence River Real Estate Association.
a trustee in the Title Guarantee and Trust
Company. a member of the stock ex-
change. the chamber of commerce. the
New York Athletic Club and other clubs.
He was fifty-four years old and wealthy.
The stock exchange firm is made up of
Mr.. Oliphant. his son, ]. Norris, Alfred
l.. Norris and Floyd w. Mundy.