The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-14
BARNEY A SUICIDE
He Was President of the Knick-
erbocker Trust Company
Which Closed It's Doors at
Beginning of the Panic.

New York, Nov 14.-Charles T. Bar
ney, president of the Knickerbocker
Trust company, committed suicide at
his home this afternoon.
MIR. Barney was president of the
kn1ckerbocker Trust company which
closed its doors at the beginning of the
recent financial crisis. The institution
was one of the largest trust companies
In the city and had liabilities estimated
from $50, 100000 to $40, 0o0, 900. Mr.. Barney
had long been prominent in the finan-
cfal life of New York and was interest
ed in many and various enterprises. His
wife is a sister of the late William G.
Whitney.
Mr.. Barney was Sc years of age,
native of Cleveland, Ohio, and for
many years had occupied a prominent
place in financial and social circles IN
this city. Aside from his connection
with the Knickerbocker Trust COM
pany he had been interested at various
times in many other financial lnstltu-
lions and business enterprises. He was
a member of the New York stock ex-
change, house of Rogers & Gould, and
had made large investments in New
York real estate.
Mr.. Barney was educated at Will
narns college, being member of the
class of 1873, and he was a member
of the Williams Alumni association
and many art societies and social
clubs. 1t became known within the
last few days that Mr. Barney was in a
state of physical and mental collapse.
At the offices of the Trust company 1t
2 was known this morning that his
physical condition was very serious and
some of those who knew him intimate
ly for years spoke of the pitiable con-
dition he was in. Word to this effect
gained efreuIation among we'll known
financiers in Wall street who were
fully prepared for the announcement
suicide by shooting himself in the
head.
His demise was first reported to the
coroner as case of sudden death and
later as suicide Mr.. Barney was presi-
dent of the Knickerbocker Trust COM
pany, up to a day or two before that
institution closed its doors, with liabilt-
ties amounting from 100000 to $70,-
100000. 1t was understood at the time
the company closed that Mr.. Barney
had been very heavily involved by this
summers sharp decline in the prices of
all securities. He had not been seen at
his Office for several days and it was
known to his friends that he was in a
state of physical and mental collapse.
The run on the Knickerbocker was
precipitated by the announcement OF
the National Bank of Commerce that ii
would no longer clear the accounts of
the trust company through the New
York clearing house. Mr.. Barney's
resignation as president of the company
followed.
Mr.. Barney was very prominent in
social circles as well as in the world
of finance. He was 55 years old. His
wife is a sister of the late William G.
Whitney, secretary of the navy in Pres
ident Cleveland's first term.
He Lived Hours.
New York, Nov. LIT is learned
that Mr.. Barney shot himself this
morning, dying four and a half hours
later.
An effort was made to draw out from
members of the police force the details
of a statement said to have been made
by Mrs. Bradley after she was taken
to the police station, but the defense
objected and when at o'clock court
adjourned the statement had not been
admitted.