New-York tribune., 1912-03-10
Had Been III for a Year.

change creditors Is small and viii he palo
In full.
Had Been III for a Year.
Washington r. Connor, named in the
assignee's statement as the principal
creditor. is q brother of Ezra 5. Connor.
He said yesterday that his brother was
seventy-twO years old and had been Ill
for more than year with Brght's dis
case. and hal not been down to his office
for twelve months, although he had been
able to sign papers in the interests of the
firm at his home. There was no indicd-
ton that his brother was suffering from
mental trouble until last Friday Mr..
Connor said when he failed to recognize
Mr.. Silkworth. who had come to consult
with him IN regard to some business
connected with the firm. The proba-
bilities were, however, Mr.. Connor added.
that his brother had been mentally in
competent for some time, and according
10 the physicians there was little hope
Of his recovery.
The firm had been trying for year to
wind up it. affairs. he said. but found it
making an assignment and this step was
Immediately decided upon when it was
discovered that the head of the firm was
incompetent to manage its affairs. Mr.
Conner said he had no connection with
the failure, outside of the fact that he
was the largest creditor. The firm. he
declared, had assets in excess of its
Hnl-
lar through its suspension. AS far as
his own claims were concerned, he said
he would defer pressing them until all
the other creditors had been satisfied.
Mr.. Silkworth. in speaking of his visit
10 his partners home at Tenafly, n. j.,
on Friday night. said that when he
greeted Mr. Connor the latter said
How are you? How is your brother
The reference 10 brother puzzled Mr.
Silkworth, who asked:
Don't you know me? I'm Silkworth.'
oh yes" Mr.. Connor replied, after
locking at him in a blank way for mo-
ment: "you used to sit near me at the
coupon desk"
Mr. SilkWoTth then had Washington
Connor sent for. and when he arrived
t1ey decided, after questioning the sick
man further and getting only incoherent
replies that he was mentally unbal-
snced. and i'm order TO safeguard the in
terests OF the firm and its creditors its
affairs ought to be wound up. After
Consulting with counsel it was decided
that the best way 10 do this was by
making an assignment.
II is understood that i'm time Mr.. Silk
worth will re-enter business either
through an association with some other
Stock Exchange firm or by organizing
firm of his own
Firm Twenty five Years Old.
The firm Of Connor & Co. was formed
or December 81 1886 being the success
sor Of the firm of w. r. Connor & Co,
the senior member Of which was Wash
ington F.. Connor Ezra 5. Connor and
Charles r. Silkworth composed the firm
b MIR. Connor being the board member.
He bought his seat on the exchange oi.
July o, 1864. and is one Of the four old
est living members of the institution.
beIOTe tHe llIIh VI COllIoi N W. "do
organized he was a member of the firm
OF Hamilton e. Connor, and was not
with his brothers firm. w. f. Connor
e. Co.
The latter firm. which was formed lr
1880 by Washington f. Connor and thu
late Giovanni p. Morosini, with Jay
Gould as special partner, was for years
one of the leading Stock Exchange
houses in the Street, and most of Mr.
Gould's market operations were conduct
ed through it, In 1885 George ]. Gould
Joined the firm, which dissolved a yeat
later on the retirement Of Mr.. Connor
Before the organization of this firm w.
4 CCnnor had been partner with jay
Gould in the firm of William Belden &
Co.
He became member Of the exchange
or October g, 1871. when he was twenty
two years old. He entered Wall Street
as clerk, in the banking house of II.
G.. Stinson & Co. and was employed
there when the famous "Black Friday"
panic Of September "a. 1869. occurred.
Mr.. Conner sold his Stock Exchange
membership in October, 1910. but since
then, as before, has always made the
ONCE of connor e. Co. his business head
quarters. His financial condition is in
no way affected by the suspension OF
Connor & Co.. 1t Is said on authority.