Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-04-01
SEWERS WIND PIPE
AND USES PISTOL
To TAKE HIS LIFE
Moses J. Franklin, Prominent
Wholesale Grocer on East
Alabama Street, Commits
Suicide Thursday Morning
WAS FOUND IN BATHROOM
IN PRYOR STREET HOME

Moses J. Franklin. aged 80 years,
member of the Franklin Grocery COM
pany at ~ and 40 East Alabama street.
committed suicide at o'clock Thurs
day morning by cutting his throat
with a razor in the bath room
of his fathers residence at 373 South
Pryor street. Nervous dependency is
thought to have been the cause.
About three months ago Mr.. Franklin
suffered complete nervous breakdown.
due to hard work. He went to Philadel-
phia and placed himself under the care
OF his brother. DIR. B. F. Franklin His
condition improved. apparently. and .
few days ago he decided that he was able
to come back home and sc to work. He
arrived in Atlanta Wednesday night. and
went at once to the residence OF his.
father. A. Franklin.
HEARD PISTOL SHOT.
At o'clock Mr.. Franklin's father
heard pistol shot in the house. He got
up hurriedly, went to his sons room, and
found it vacant He then rushed TO the
bathroom, and found the door locked.
His brother broke it down and the scene
that came into his vision was horrible to
behold.
In a pool of blood that covered the
floor Of the bathroom lay Mr.. Franklin
Near him lay a bloody razor, and in
his hand a 30 caliber Smith & Wesson
revolver.
DIR. Samuel A. visanska was summons
ed by telephone. Mr.. Franklin was dead
before he arrived. An examination OF
the body disclosed The fact that Mr..
Franklin's aim to shoot himself was
wild. The only wound was that inflict-
ed by the razor. The revolver contain
ed three loaded and one discharged carr
ridge. The window of the bathroom
was open and the blinds were thrown
back. so the presumption is that the bull
! let. missing it's self-intended victim,
went through this opening.
ANXIOUS ABOUT NIECE.
A note was found. with this message:
Read this. Have Julia (his S-year-old
niece examined to see if she has con-
tracted any of my trouble. If she has
l want all my money from my business
spent in curing her. If she has not,
want my brothers to have it, except
5000 for my two nieces."
The fear that his niece had contracted
his disease is thought to have been mere
iy the result of an uyerwrought nervous
condition.
The deceased was born at Washington,
| Ga. He came to Atlanta about Is years
! ago, to engage in the grocery business
with his brothers He prospered with the
| firm, and had acquired considerable
means. He was a fine business man, and
personally was very popular. He was
prominent in Knights of Pythias and
other secret orders, and numbered friends
throughout the community.
LEAVES MANY RELATIVES.
He leaves father and mother, Mr. and
Mrs. A. Franklin; five brothers. DIR. B.
F. Franklin, of Philadelphia, and Joseph
David, Simeon NJ, and Reuben T. Frank
lin. of Atlanta; three sisters. Mrs. j.
Philips. Mrs. ]. Berman. Miss Rebie
Franklin.
Funeral services will be conducted from
I the residence, 373 South Pryor street, at
o'clock Friday afternoon, Rabbi David
Marx officiating, and interment will take,
place at Oakland cemetery.
The following gentlemen will act as
pallbearers: Walter W. Visanska, Albert
Kaufman, Casper Myers, John A. Man
get John Quinn and Charles Cronheim.