The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-10-18
NO INTIMATION OF
RASH ACT GIVEN
Understood That He Was
Worried Over financial
Obligations Other Than
Those Caused by Susper-
sion of the Bank Last
December.

F. f. Brawner. for many years n
prominent business man of Pensacola,
ended his life shortly before noon yes
terday by sending a bullet through his
brain. The deed was committed in the
Coe Book store, owned by Mr.. Braw-
ner, and it caused great excitement I'm
that section OF the city. It was great
surprise for the reason that only a
few moments prior he stood at the
front door Of the store talking with
some friends. Suddenly eeasinE tho
conversation he turned and walking
to the cash register, located about the
middle OF the store building, drew a
revolver and fired the shot which
ended his life.
Mr. Brawner was president OF the
Pensacola State Bank when it GUS
pended last December, and many ad-
vanced the theory, in the absence OF
any letter left by him, that the sui
eide was caused by worry over this
failure. but IL was stated last uight
by what is considered an authoritative
source, that other financial obligations
had worried Mr.. Brawner for several
weeks and that no later than an lorir
before his suicide no had received o.
threatening message over the telephone
from person who came to the city
yesterday morning. 1t was alleged that
Mr.. Brawner was due this person a.
large sum, and the latter had retained
counsel and had threatened him with
arrest
IN GOOD SPIRITS.
Mr.. Brawner appeared in his usual
good health and spirits to those with
whom he talked during the forenoon
and there was no intimation that he
such a rash act. II was
that the business In which
he recently engaged when ne purchased
the Cot Book Store and Ger5on Jew
elry store merging the two, was pros
pering. To the employees about the
store and to his family he appeared
as usual and if he had worry OF any
nature he was very careful to con-
ceal it.
For several months past Mr. Braw-
ner had been receiving anonymous let
ters through the mail. These were all
Of threatening nature, but 30 far
known they caused the recipient no
Worry.
The weapon used was q 58 Calibr6
Smith g. Wesson and when the fatal
shot was fired it evidently was the
first time the revolver lad ever been
used.
PLACED AT THE TEMPLE.
Mr.. Brawner when he walked to tho
spot where he shot himself stood there
4 moment apparently in deep thought
and then placed the revolver TO his
right temple and pulled the trigger
There was a loud report that startled
he clerks In the store who turned
lust in time to see Glm fall dead To
he floor. None was near enough TO
prevent him committing the rash act
even had they suspected his motive.
The bullet entered the right temple,
passed through the brain and out
above the left eye. When employees
md others rushed to him Mr. Brawner,
vas dead, but no still grasped in his
light hand the revolver with which
le had ended his life.
The store quickly packed with ex-
,ited people and policeman hurrying
o the scene closed the doors OF tho
itore and removed many from tho
building. The nfeless form was quick
Y moved from the store and taken 10
he family home, while friends en-
to quiet the stricken wife
Who was so shocked over the incident
hat she became hysterical.
PRESIDENT SCHOOL BOARD.
Mr.. Brawner had served for almost
our years as president Of the Escard-
ia County Board OF Public Instruc-
ion. He was reelected two years
go, but in the primary OF last June
le was not a candidate and would
ave retired in January
He was a member Of the odd Fel-
ows, Woodmen OF the World and
Knights Of Pythias. A few years ago
Ie was head OF the Woodmen OF the
World Of Florida and held omces Ia
he local branches Of tho latter two
Tders.
Funeral services viii be conducted
his afternoon at $3.50 o'clock at the
amiIy home and the interment viii
70 in st. Johns cemetery.
The pail bearers will be as follows
Il ~