Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-08-10
CORNWELL KILLS
HIMSELF ON TRAIN
Fires Fatal Shot While In Gus.
tOdy Of Constable.
MAY Be SHORT 100000
Lawyer Suspected Of Seuanderino
Large Chester County Estates Of
Which He Was In Charge.

Colonel Gibbons Gray Cornwell. n
prominent lawyer Of West Chester. Pa.
and commander OF the Sixth regiment.
N. G.. r., committed suicide on Penn
syivania railroad train from New York
to Philadelphia.
Cornwell was seated In front OF Con.
stable William Mullen. of West Ches-
ter. who was an old friend. Mullen
was bringing him from New York TO
West Chester. As the train pulled ont
Of the North Philadelphia station the
prisoner reached for his handbag. lie
opened 1t and quickly pulling out a
large army revolver. placed II In his
mont hand pulled the trigger. The
constable saw the action too late to
prevent IL.
Just before leaving Now York city
Colonel Cornwell was searched by the
New York police. so how the weapon
came to be in his possession Is o
mystery.
The bullet tore through the roof OF
his mouth and came out on top of his
head. Conductor Booz, In charge OF
the train. stopped II at telegraph
signal tower between North and West
Philadelphia stations and an ambu.
lance was telegraphed for.
Colonel Cornwell died before the
West Philadelphia station was reach.
ed. The physician in charge OF the
University hospital ambulance. which
was waiting at the West Philadelphia
station. pronounced him dead The
body was then turned over to the po-
lice OF the Thirty-ninth street and Ian.
caster avenue station. who took II to
the morgue in the patrol wagon.
Constable Mullen was placed under
arrest and was locked up at the Thirty
ninth street and Lancaster avenue sta
ton.
Constable William Mullen left West
Chester for New York with warrant
sworn out by Alfred Sharpless. one OF
the executors of the Derrick estate,
charging Cornwell with the larceny Of
two bonds belonging to that estate.
An investigation made In West Ches
ter showed that Cornwell 4 Cornwell
had the handling of estates amounting
10 100000.
AS developments are reached In the
matter the amount gradually grows
1t may reach 100000. The shortages
are confined to private estates being
handled by the colonel. 1t Is said all
the shortages are due to his dealings
In stocks. in which he has been a
heavy loser for many months. 1t is
not believed the alleged defalcations
cover more than two years al the
most. but they were heavy during that
time.
One OF the largest estates involved
now appears TO be that OF the late Cap
tain George W. Roberts, OF Allerton. a
handsome country place west OF West
Chester. where Mrs. Roberts and hei
son. George W.. Jr.. now make their
home. When seen, Mr.. Roberts yolun.
teered the information that the estate
may be heavily involved. although nc
examination has been attempted. AT
the death of Captain Roberts his
wealth was variously estimated at
sums ranging between 100000 and
100000 No accounting could be So
cured from the colonel for the last two
years.
The announcement of Colonel Corn.
wells resignation as commanding ON.
Ger of the sixth regiment was made
by Brigadler General Coryell. n. G. p,
at West Chester He received the re-
sienation by mail from New York.