The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-09-14
BANK PRESIDENT
COMMITS SUICIDE

New York. Sept. l3.-John W. Cas-
ties president of the Union Trust com
many and a director of other well
known corporations. committed sui
eide tonight by cutting his throat at
the Grand Union hotel.
His body was found shortly before
o'clock tonight by his brother Bar
ton S. Castles, who immediately sum-
moned a physician, but Mr.. Castles
was beyond aid. He left no note OF
instructions and his brother ascrioed
his act 10 nervous breakdown,
According TO the hotel management
Mr.. Castles. accompanied by mis-
brother and a friend. Ell Spring, came
To the hotel three days ago and pro-
cured adjoining rooms.
Tragedy Is Revealed.
The brother intended. according 10
the hotel authorities. to look after Mr.
Castles while he was In such ner-
yous condition, and Mr.. Spring vol
unteered his assistance.
For some reason the banker was
left alone and, on returning, Barton ,.
| Castles found his door locked. In
alarm the door was forced open and
the tragedy revealed.
Mr. Castles Is survived by his widow
Elizabeth, and a daughter and a son,
Frances and John.
The company OF which Mr.. Castles
was president is one OF the largest
Of its kind In the city and is situated
at No. so Broadway. In the heart ol
the financial district. Up TO 1895 il
was paying dividends of 30 per cent
and Is now considered one of the
strongest banks in the country. It's
surplus and profits amount TO $3.50,
77O and its loans and discounts tc
s39.1S4,691. while the deposits tota
nearly S60.000,000.
High in Financial World.
Mr.. Castles also was director o
the Central Park North and East Rive
Railroad company; the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railway company; the Han
over National bank of this city AM
other corporations. He was Unite'
States trustee for the Northern Assur
ance company. limited, of London.
John V. B. Thayers secretary an
second vice president OF the Unio
Trust company. said tonight that MI
Castles had been In poor health 10
some months. suffering with a genera
nervous breakdown. He said tha
financial matters had no bearing what
> ever on the case.
Bottle Of Acid Found.
On a dresser near the bed there wa
,, an eight ounce bottle unlabeled bu
containing a pungent acid. Whethe
Mr. Castles had taken any of this bt
q fore cutting his throat had not bee
ascertained tonight.
Mr.. Castles had little connectio
with the Union Trust company sine
assuming the presidency OF the inst
tuition on January ! last, when he SUI
r ceeded Edward King.
Not long ago Mr. Castles conditio
: became so serious that he was sent
r sanitarium at Kerhonkson, y. Y
where he remained for three month
) At times he returned TO New YorI
: accompanied by an attendant. o
: Wednesday last he came down on th
latest Of these trips and for the frs
time during his illness was allowed
so to the bank today unattended.
: An OVerworksd Man,
6 Alexander s Cochran, a director
? the Union Trust company speakin
Officially for that institution. declare
the suicide had no bearing whatevC
upon financial matters He was sir
:, ply an overwQrked man, was Mr.. Coo
!, rams explanation,
Coming originally from the sout
where he was well known in Texs
: and Louisiana. Mr.. Castles moved
New York TO assume the pTesidenC
/ OF the Guarantee Trust company Sc
: eral years ago. But In the latter pa
n of last year he resigned this positic
T and on the opening of the new We;
became president OF the Union Tru
o company.
?, The Union Trust company numbe,
e among It's directors the most prom
Y nent men In the city. including w, Ell
( lin Roosevelt. James Speyer. Waltc
S Goelet. Adrian 1Selin.. Jr.. and other
n Augustus w. Kelley, the first vie
o president. has conducted the affairs
the institution during Mr. Castles i
ness.
Mr.. Castles had large interests
Texas and was at one time presidcI
= of the Hlbernlan Trust company
New Orleans.