# Did Stockbrokers Really Jump Out of Windows in 1929 Crash? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 30, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780 "2011-05-30T20:08:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/1 "2011-05-30T20:08:41Z")
There seems to be a popular legend that stockbrokers were jumping out of office windows, as the market crashed in 1929. I find the story hard to accept, as most brokers did not own huge blocks of stocks-they may have had some small accounts. But the real losers in the 1929 crash were the big speculators, who had millions in margined accounts-they were wiped out when their margined acconts were called. The banks also took big hits. In any event, are there any documented accounts of brokers committing suicide in this rather public fashion? I suspect that these rumors took hold later, as the “Great Depression” really took hold (by mid-1930). The recent collapse of several Wall Street firms (like the demise of 135 year old Lehman Bothers) didn’t cause any suicides (that I am aware of). Is this story another bit of fiction? ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/2 "2011-05-30T20:19:36Z")
Ralph, a syndicated columnist named Cecil Adams has a weekly feature called The Straight Dope, (available in weekly alternative papers nationwide) and he devoted an entire column to this very subject, and spent considerable time researching and documenting his findings. Maybe you should consider checking it out… ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/3 "2011-05-30T20:21:03Z")
A few did, according to one Cecil Adams: [After the 1929 stock market crash, did investors really jump out of windows?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2412/after-the-1929-stock-market-crash-did-investors-really-jump-out-of-windows) ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/4 "2011-05-30T20:36:33Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > Ralph, a syndicated columnist named Cecil Adams has a weekly feature called The Straight Dope, (available in weekly alternative papers nationwide) and he devoted an entire column to this very subject, and spent considerable time researching and documenting his findings. > > Maybe you should consider checking it out… Is there a web page with a message board where we can post questions that someone might answer without having to dig through archives for an article that may or not be there? ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/5 "2011-05-30T20:48:33Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > Is there a web page with a message board where we can post questions that someone might answer without having to dig through archives for an article that may or not be there? Do you actually think that a random Doper would be able to offer up a more detailed, better written and thoroughly researched answer to this factual question than Cecil’s column provides? On an opinion question, I could see your point, but on a query such as this one, what better source could you possibly ask for? ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/6 "2011-05-30T20:48:59Z")
Lots of them jumped out of windows. Of course they were on the first floor 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/7 "2011-05-30T21:01:03Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > The recent collapse of several Wall Street firms (like the demise of 135 year old Lehman Bothers) didn’t cause any suicides (that I am aware of). Actually, [it did.](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122671299673730273.html) The CEO of Lehman Bros. also [attempted suicide](http://www.zimbio.com/CEO+Richard+Fuld/articles/181/Lehman+Brothers+CEO+attempts+suicide+Wachovia), but failed. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/8 "2011-05-30T21:19:36Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > Ralph, a syndicated columnist named Cecil Adams has a weekly feature called The Straight Dope, (available in weekly alternative papers nationwide) and he devoted an entire column to this very subject, and spent considerable time researching and documenting his findings. > > Maybe you should consider checking it out… It’s not offered in the Charleston _City Paper_, the alternative newspaper for Charleston, SC. This paper did until a few years ago, but no longer does for some reason (probably the cost). ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/9 "2011-05-30T21:28:12Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > It’s not offered in the Charleston _City Paper_, the alternative newspaper for Charleston, SC. This paper did until a few years ago, but no longer does for some reason (probably the cost). When I used the term “nationwide”, somehow Charleston SC inexplicably slipped my mind… Rest assured, I will NEVER make the same mistake again!!! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/10 "2011-05-30T21:57:58Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > It’s not offered in the Charleston _City Paper_, the alternative newspaper for Charleston, SC. This paper did until a few years ago, but no longer does for some reason (probably the cost). I believe the column is also available via the World Wide Web for those people who can not find it in local print media. In fact, I believe old columns are archived and indexed via key words for easy reference. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/11 "2011-05-30T22:38:39Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Actually, [it did.](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122671299673730273.html) The CEO of Lehman Bros. also [attempted suicide](http://www.zimbio.com/CEO+Richard+Fuld/articles/181/Lehman+Brothers+CEO+attempts+suicide+Wachovia), but failed. I’m pretty sure the second article referenced is a hoax. See: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard\_S.\_Fuld,\_Jr](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_S._Fuld,_Jr). ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/12 "2011-05-30T22:40:13Z")
Ediee Cantor, the comedian, was badly hurt by the 1929 crash. In November, 1929 he published a short caustic memoir, Caught Short! (cost: Bid $1.00–Asked $1.00) which included the following: > [@Eddie Cantor](#): > > The night of the worst crash I was too frightened to go to my home in Great Neck. I went instead to one of the larger hotels in New York City and asked the clerk for a room on the nineteenth floor. The clerk looked up at me and asked: > “What for? Sleeping or jumping?” > He probably had in mind the two fellows who jumped from a bridge together because they had a joint account. ---
**Author:** ![Lazlo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lazlo/32/9678_2.png) [@Lazlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazlo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/13 "2011-05-30T23:32:42Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > Is there a web page with a message board where we can post questions that someone might answer without having to dig through archives for an article that may or not be there? There is, unfortunately, it’s populated with a lot of people who would rather be snarky than provide a useful answer. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mr.Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Me)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/14 "2011-05-31T01:28:24Z")
“Seems it’s happening again When the weather turns on Wall Street As the year draws to an end You can hear them like a heartbeat As they pound the pavement one by one From on high they’re heading down [It’s raining bankers](http://matthewebel.bandcamp.com/track/its-raining-bankers) in my town” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/15 "2011-05-31T03:09:57Z")
> [@Lazlo](#): > > There is, unfortunately, it’s populated with a lot of people who would rather be snarky than provide a useful answer. And that’s why I’m reading this. _Excuse me, could I have some more snark over here? Thank you._ Ahh, the efficacy of the snarkiosity of the World Wide Web… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/16 "2011-05-31T15:30:14Z")
> [@Lazlo](#): > > There is, unfortunately, it’s populated with a lot of people who would rather be snarky than provide a useful answer. I got yelled at by a mod when I suggested that somebody look it up themselves, but apparently chastisement is reserved for the special among us. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/17 "2011-05-31T19:22:54Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > When I used the term “nationwide”, somehow Charleston SC inexplicably slipped my mind… > > Rest assured, I will NEVER make the same mistake again!!! Charleston is in the USA? ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/18 "2011-05-31T20:55:21Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > Charleston is in the USA? Charleston is in its own universe. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/19 "2011-05-31T23:12:08Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I got yelled at by a mod when I suggested that somebody look it up themselves, but apparently chastisement is reserved for the special among us. There, there. You’re still special to us. Don’t fret. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-stockbrokers-really-jump-out-of-windows-in-1929-crash/583780/20 "2011-05-31T23:19:45Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > There, there. You’re still special to us. Don’t fret. Ah, thanks man.