Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08
DAUGHTER RUNS
GREAT BUSINESS
PAINTER LEAVES
Whole City Is Stirred Over the
Unusual End of Wealthy
Manufacturer.
Continued From Page I.

Feruandina was recognized as with
out an equal in water sports. Yet he
went down with hands above his head
as though making no effort 20 regain
the boat
Did Not Grasp Life Line.
A pleasure launch was near by and
the occupant raced to hts rescue,
throwing a life line that fell across his
arms, but Painter did not grasp IL.
The contention Of those claiming that
his death was an accident is that he
fell off In an attack OF apoplexy A
friend who was with him declares he
became nauseated, went to the edge
Of the boat and was attacked by Sc
we're fit of coughing that brought on
apoplexy and caused him to lose his
balance. This. the accident theorists
contend, explains why he did not swim
or grasp the life line
The insanity theory is that
Painter became obsessed Of a
mania for insurance and when
companies began refusing 10 write
additional policies he became de-
spondent and sought death while
not mentally responsible. The latter
theory has fewest champions. Sui
eide or accident is the main question.
A likely motive for suicide is sug-
gested in reports that Painter had
had afoot TO double the capital stock
and surplus Of the z O. Painter Fer
tilizer Company. Of which he was
president and directing power, 10 a
total hook value Of 100000. The plan,
81 IS stated. was 10 sell a new stock
issue, which, because Of his high bus
mess standing and his enormous in
surance as a protection TO the com
pany, would md a ready market He
was known in Jacksonville and
throughout Florida and South Geor-
gia as a remarkably successful busi-
ness man who had built up his for
tune from a nominal start.
Banks Believed in Him.
The Jacksonville banks accepted his
notes and other negotiable paper as
the safest OF private securities, he
cause Of his unquestioned integrity.
But when the insurance companies
shut down on him by rejecting ap-
plications actually made for S125,000
more insurance. he doubtless realized
that he had gone the limit in that
direction. The policies secured were
all made payable either 10 the ferti-
lizer company. his estate, his wife or
his daughter.
A stockholders' meeting had been
called for this week to declare a is
per cent dividend on the outstanding
issue, but because OF his death this
was not done. The stockholders win
meet after the inquest is concluded.
when future plans OF the company
will be perfected. State Senator Con-
rad has been named acting president
by the directors pending the election
OF permanent head.
When Il became known IN Jackson
VILE that Painter had drowned, there
was a wild scramble 10 recover his
body Practically every undertaken in
Jacksonville had boat on the river,
and with graphing hooks the men
aboard dragged for three hours until
the body was brought up Moulton
and Kyle were successful. The body
was taken 10 their morgue and there
is where hasty autopsy was per-
formed before the Coroner's jury had
viewed the body.
Detectives Start Inquiry.
Two physicians representing the
family started removing the heart,
lungs stomach brain and kidneys be-
fore the state had a representative
present These organs were shipped
Immediately TO Baltimore but before
they could be delivered there by the
express company the Coroner had
been in telegraphic communication
with that city and delivery was held
up until he could direct TO whom de-
livery should be made The shipment
was made In less than twelve hours
after Painter lost his life. No sooner
had II become known In Jacksonville
that Painter was dead than insurance
agents notified their home offices and
detectives and other investigators
were dispatched 10 Jacksonville by
the first trains
They investigated the case thor
oughly and suspicious Of suicide de-
veloped. one theory advanced In In
surance circles was that Painter had
been taking choral or some other
drug and that this so weakened him
that self-destrucuon became the re-
suit.
The Jury impaneled TO sit in the
case is composed OF men OF promi-
hence IN Jacksonville. The members
are:
]. c. connally. spring bed manu-
faoturer.
A. E. Barber. oficer OF a wholesale
grocery company.
Charles H Howard big river man
snd prominent odd Fellow
]. c. Albritton, restaurant proprie-
tor.
H. C. Hopkins. real estate dealer.
H r Culley, IT, editor OF a Jack
sonville paper.
PAINTER was prominent.
Painter occupied an enviab'e posi-
ton in Jacksonville. He was a public
Official as Port Commissioner, a civic
leader as chairman of the Board ~
Trades foreign commerce committee;
a charity worker as secretary Of the
Children's Home Society. a reformer
as secretary Of the State Anti saloon
League, and a Churchman as a dea-
con in the fashionable Riverside Bap-
list Church His position as Port
Commissioner has already been filled
by the election Of Zach Anderson. and
on the Board Of Trade commerce com
mittee by the election % DR.. W. Il
Stfnson HIS successors in the other
places are yet 10 De named.
Painter. a native OF New York, Sc
years old. came TO Florida i'm 1877
Ten years later be was editing an
agricultural paper ar Deland. Through
that medium he became interested IN
fertilizers. ana in 1855 located ir
Jacksonville 20 manufacture such
products. Three years later he in.
Corporated the present company. A,
his only daughter. Miss Okle Painter
grew up. he took her into HIS OffiC,
and gave her a thorough business
training so that she has OF reCeu
years been one OF the directing pow
ers Of the business Since his death