The Washington herald., 1907-11-15

New York, Nov. 1A-Charles T. Barney.
whose resignation from the presidency OF
the Knickerbocker Trust Company on
Oct9oer p was followed by the suspen-
sion of the company and the financial
1urr.' in which several other banks were
obliged 20 close. their doors. shot himself
at 10 o'clock this morning at his home.
O. Park avenue. tie died four hours later
after an unsuccessful effort had been
made by surgeons 20 remove the bullet.
Mr. Barney was conscious for some
time after the shooting and he made the
statement that il was an accident Cor
oner hamburger. who examined all the
persons who were in the house at the
time. and the the doctors who attended
the wounded man, gave it as his opinion
that it was case Of suicide. and so re-
ported it TO the corcner's Office. Cor
oner's Physician F. OHanlon and Assist
ant District Attorney Manley. who also
visited the Barney house said that they
believed the shot was accidental.
The assistant district attorney and DR..
OHanlon based their opinion chiefly on
the character Of the wound. Il was in
the upper part of the left abdomen. and
the bullet took an upward course until Il
lodged finally near the shoulder blade.
not far from the base Of the neck. DR..
OHanlou said that he did not believe any
man would attempt suicide By shooting
himself in that way
Pursued by His Creditors.
SIr. Barney had been hard pressed by
his creditors ever since the Kuickerbocker
closed its doors. His friends said to-day
tha' he had not been himself since ylis
retirement from the presidency. His law
yers had been working for two weeks
on plan which they hoped would save
Mr. Barney from making an assignment.
and give him a chance 20 work out the
long line OF slow assets which he had.
Only last Saturday the accountants had
completed an examination Of Mr.. Barney's
financial condition. and had. so his law
yers said, assured him that be had an
equity or az least Se.s50,0C0 Mr.. Barney's
chances cf keeping ahoat depended on the
consent of his creditors not 20 push him.
and. although his lawyers say things
were progressing favOrably. Mr. Barney.
it IS known, was fearful OF the out
come.
Mr.. Barney was in his bedroom. on the
second floor OF the house, wuen he fired
the shot. This room looks out on Thirty
eighth street. and is at the rear OF the
house. on level with a summer garden.
which Mir. Barney had built on the root
of one-story extension. Mr.. Barney
had not been seen by any members of the
family since about 10 O'Clock on the night
before. when he retired The family say
that he was naturally a late riser. He.
had been at his Office. in the Empire
Building. on Wednesday, and was ap-
parently no more depressed when he re-
tired than he had been at other times
since the KEickerbocker suspension.
Wife and Son In House.
Mrs. Barney. who is sister OF the
late William c. Whitney. had arisen
early, and after breakfast had gone 10
her room on the second floor OF the
house. This room is just across the han
from Mr.. Barney's, and looks out on
Park avenue With Mrs Barney was
Mr. Susan Abbott Meade, the widow Of
Edward Spencer Meade. who had arrived
from Europe on Wednesday, and was
guest in the Barney home. Ashbel H.
Barney, one Of Mr.. Barney's sons. was
in the dining room on the ground floor.
These were the only other persons in the
house with the exception Of the servants.
According 10 the story which Mrs
Barney and Mrs. Meade told the coroner.
they were chatting together when they
We're startled by the report Of the re-
volver Up to that time they had heard 1
no sound from Mr.. Baruey's room. Both
ran toward the door Of Mr.. Barney's
bedroom. across the hall. Mrs. Meade
got there first. The door was closed, but
unlocked. Mrs. Meade said that Mr.. Bar
ney was lying on the floor near the bed,
in his pajamas. The revolver
was lying on the floor near him. Mrs
Meade. in her fright. turned and called
70 Mrs. Barney, who WAS hurrying across
the hall. .drs. Barney said that she knelt
down and took her husbands head in
her lap.
Conscious when FOund.
Mrs. Barney said that her husband was
conscious, but in great pain, and she did
not try TO ask him any questions. AshbeI !
Barney, the son, also heard the report Of
the revolver, and when he reached the !
bedroom found his mother and Mrs.
Meede bending over the wounded man. |
The son told the coroner that he hurried !
to the telephone and called up Or. George !
A Dixon who had been the RarneN finn |