Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-06
BANKER NEAR DEATH
FROM PISTOL SHOT


Continued From Page one
I'll When Mrs Trexler learned the truth
she nearly collapsed
Physicians are preparing to take an
X-ray photograph of the wound. They
will operate as soon as the bullet Is
located. The bullet entered the head
through the mouth and lodged near the
brain. Powder marks were found on the
lips, Indicating that the muzzle of the
revolver was not placed in the mouth.
This fact tends to strengthen the ac-
Cident theory.
Trexler is 80 years old. lie has one
child a daughter. Mabel, n year and a
half old. His home is at 2746 North 2ith
street. He had been married three years
and had been In the employ of the bank
six years. Mrs. TreXler told the police
there had been no domestic difficulties,
and this was corroborated by relatives
and neighbors
SUFFERED NERVOUS AfLMENT.
Bank officials and relatives say that
Trexler appeared distressed when he en-
tered the institution at $50 o'clock this
morning. He had suffered with some
nervous ailment at various times, but 1t
was never thought to be serious. since
Christmas his daughter had been Ill,
and it was suggested that this might
have caused him some worry, but last
night the child was so near recovery
that for the first time in months TreXler
took her out
Michael Annesley, the watchman was
the only one who saw TreNler when he
arrived at the bank this morning He
nodded to the watchman and went into
the basement to the courtroom 1t Is not
known whether he had the revolver with
him when he arrived or got it from his
desk. All the bank officials have revolv-
ers in or near their desks.
SHOT FIRED IN BASEMENT.
Clerks heard "A single shot n moment
later and rushed into the basement. They
found Trexler lying on his face before his
locker. The revolver was still ,clutched IN
his hand. He was bleeding at the mouth.
The police of the 4th and York streets
station were notified and TreNler was hur-
ried to the hospital in the patrol wagon.
John G. Carruth was notified by tele-
phone of the shooting. He informed Mrs.
TreXler and then went to the bank to d.
rect the investigation into Trexler's ac-
counts. a meeting of the Board of Dlrec-
tors were held short time later and the
board was informed that the books bal
anced accurately.
Charles NJ. Wrightson, secretary and
treasurer of the bank, declared himself
at loss to account foY the shooting. He
said TreXler was model husband, that
he did not drink and rarely went any
where without his wife. He was one of
the most trusted and capable men In the
bank TreXler went to work for the
institution as a clerk six years ago, after
being graduated from Temple University,
and worked his way up to the position
of receiving teller
BIBLE CLASS TEACHER.
Trexler was deeply religious, according
10 his relatives and business associates,
He conducted a Bible class at the Lehigh
Avenue Baptist Church, 18th street and
Lehigh aventNe. a few weeks ago he en-
tertained the members of his class at
his home. Every night he and his wife
read chapters from the Bible.
This morning the two discussed vacation
plans at breakfast. Mrs. TreXler failed to
notice anything wrong about her husband
He seemed to be in the best of spirits.
She also Is at a loss to account for the
shooting, but believes II must have been
an accident, as she says her husband had
no reason TO wish to end his life.
TreXler was unconscious when he was
taken to the hospital. Physicians say his
condition is serious, but he has a slight
chance for life. Relatives had difficulty
inducing his wife TO leave his bedside.
where she sat for hours after reaching
the hospital, holding her husbands hand
and weeping.