New-York tribune., 1909-10-07
TREASURER A SUICIDE
SHOOTS HIMSELF WHILE
SITTING IN HIS OFFICE.
Captain T.. III :, Ross, of Nc1C Mcrico
Development Company Despond-
cnt Orcr Ufc's Death.

Captain Francis II. Ross, treasurer and CHIEF
accountant OF the New Mexico Development
Company killed himself in the Offices of the
concern, at No. 6S William street, late yester-
day afternoon by firing bullet into his brain
Captain Ross was in his private Office when he
fired the shot, the only other person in the suite
being the stenographer. Miss Daisy Buckland
who in the outer Office Miss Buckland
upon hearing the report opened the inner door,
and Captain Ross leaning forward in his
chair with blood streaming from his head
Screaming with fright, she hurriedly closed the
door and ran to the offices of Cote & Little on
the same floor where she finally managed to
tell what had happened. The telephone opera
tor for Goffe & Little Immediately informed the
Hudson Street Hospital and the police. while
other employees rushed into Captain Ross's office
and lifted him from the chair to the floor. Those
who first reached the captains side thought
that he still living but DR. Denton when
he arrived from the Hudson Street Hospital
said that the captain had died almost instantly
The police informed Coroner Dooley. who sent
his physician. DR. T. D. Lehane. After an in
vestigation Dr. Leblanc decided that the case
was one of suicide. and gave permission for the
removal of the body.
Nathaniel Ross a son of Captain Ross. who is
employed in the offices of Fisk & Robinson. in
the same building, was among the first to reach
his fathers Office after the shooting. He said
that the only reason he could give for the act
was that his father had been respondent ever
since the death of his mother, which occurred q
few months ago.
An unsigned statement issued from the offices
of the New Mexico Development Company at
about > o'clock gave the information that Cap
tain Ross, who was sixty-fve years old was
employed as bookkeeper. According to the
statement Captain Ross's accounts are in good
condition, and the only reason given for the
suicide was dependency and i'll health B. s.
night that Captain Ross's accounts were all
straight.
Since the death of his wife Captain Ross had
been living with his daughter at No. 1914 River
side Drive He was born in the Middle West
and was graduated from West Point shortly
before the close of the Civil War; Immediately
after graduation he entered the army and
served until the end Of the war, when he
retired with the rank Of captain. He had since
been engaged in various commercial pursuits.
and for the last thirteen years had been
nected with the New Mexico Development Com
pany Besides his son and daughter in New
York Captain Ross leaves another son, who
lives in Oregon
AS DR.. Lehane was leaving the elevator on the
thirteenth floor of the building. on which floor
the suicide occurred, the elevator man, accord
ing to the physician. dropped his about two
feet and nearly caused the doctor serious in
jury AS it was DR.. Lehane had all he could
do to keep from falling to the marble floor of
the hallway. He said that he would file COM
plant against the man with the Coroner.