New Britain herald., 1916-05-23
TRIES ID END LIFE
 WITH POCKET KNIFE
Treasurer of Surety Co. Attempts Suicide in Railroad Terminal

New York, May 23.-William A.. Brandt, secretary of the American Surety company of New York, attempted to commit suicide with a penknife in a WashroOm of the Hudson Terminal yesterday. j1e stabbed himself in the stomach eleven times, and is now dying in the Hud- son Street hospital. Although con- sciOus when discovered by a negro porter, Brandt declined to reveal any motive for his act. From his m utter ings it was understood that he was deeply Respondent over some matter he did not disclose, and on that account wanted to die.
 At the office of the American Sure ty company, where MT. Brandt was employed for about thirty years, no reason could be given for his desire to end his life. R. R. Brown, first vice president of the company, issued a statement to the effect that Mr. Brandt's accounts were in perfect condition and absolutely beyond crit icism. It was not known whether he had lost any money through invest ments. A general impression pre- vailed among his associates, however. that MT. Brandt was suffering from poor health, and might have been temporarily unbalanced when he used the knife on himself
 It was also understood that he was subjected to additional worry by the illness of some members of his fam fly. Recently he applied for a leave of absence but changed his mind and remained on duty, except for a day Or two when he was reported i'll at his home in MapIewood, N. J., where he lives with his wife and sis ter-in-law. He is fifty-six years old and has no children. His mother and sister reside in Brooklyn.
 Went ''On An Brand"
 MT. Brandt arrived at the office of the American Surety company at 100 Broadway yesterday at 9:3O o'clock. So far as his associates could recall there was nothing unusual in his ap- pearance. At 10:45 o'clock he left the office, saying he was going on an errand, to which he must attend at once. That was the last heard of him at the office, until a telephone mes sage from the Greenwich Street Police Station, informed the officials of the company that he had tried to aonl- init suicide and was being removed to the Hudson Street hospital in critical condition.
 More than a score of persons were in the retiring room of the Hudson terminal when Brandt was discovered Tn half conscious condition bv Law renee Miller a porter, who was tho
 first to hear the groans and who dragged MT. Brandt to the middle If the room where it was found that he had inflicted eleven wounds on his abdomen, most of them quite deep. Dr. Haynes, ambulance surgeon of the Hudson Street Hospital doubted
 whether there was much chance of recovery.
 Neither the ambulance surgeon nor policemen who tried to question 11m could get a word from Brandt as to
 why he wanted to kill himself He merely shook his head and begged them to leave him alone. An exam inatiOn showed that he had used 9 knife with a blade about three inch es long. When removed to the hos rital he was operated on at once but the physicians were undecided wheth-
 CT the operation would save him. Among his fel1OW-officials in the American Surety company MT. Brandt was considered a hard and conscientious worker. He rose from @ minor position to that of treasurer
 which he now occupies, his career be- ing marked by promotions for good service.
 Accounts Absolutely CorreCt. He has been man of good asso- l ciates and most exemplary habits," ! said R. R. Brown, vice president of l the company, yesterday. His ac l counts have been periodically audited, not only by the Accounting Depart ] ment of this company, but also by the New York State Department, and were l always found absolutely correct. Most 1 of the company's funds, moreover are