The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-06-15
From the New York Tribune, June 4.
Suicide i'm a House OF iii Fame.


Suicide in House OF Ill Fame.
One Of the most distressing suicides which
have occurred in New York for many months,
was committed in the house of the notorious
Cinderella Marshall, No. 81 Leonard street, on
Saturday evening. The victim was Thomas Bar
ley Russnn formerly of San Francisco, Califor-
MIA, where he was prominent man, held the
Office Of Register, and where be left wife and
two children.
Deceased had been in this city about year.
and was said TO have lost money by gambling.
His manner ofliving was said 10 BE- eStravagant.
He lived for while at the Prescott House, but
laierly at the Carlton House. About two months
since deceased became desperately enanored
with girl living at No. 81 Leonard street, and
wanted her to marry him, but this she firmly re-
fused, and his mind, which did not appear to be
right before, got quite deranged. On the 2lst OF
A pril, it will be remembered, be attempted sur
eide at Miss Marshal's, by taking Iandanum,
but on being conveyed to his lodging and recey-
ing medical treatment, be recovered. His ply
scian then discovered that Rnssum was partially
insane, and had bin properly cared for 1t was
thought he had quite recovered but on Saturday
evening it appears that, still drranged and ena-
mored with the gill in question, he went TO Miss
MarShaIl's with two loaded pistols in his pocket.
He wanted immediately to see the girls alone in
the parlor, and wanted her to marry him. declar-
ing that If she refused he would blow his brains
out. The cir! refused to marry him, and also 10
see him on this occasion.
Miss MARSHALL seeing that Russum's manner
was alarming, sent for Capt. Carpenter, OF The
Fifth Ward Police. When the Captain entered
the house, Russum v as sitting in rarlor OF
the second story with pistol in his hand. The
Captain in consolatory tone requested Russum
to give him The pistol and 10 accompany him 10
the Station House and talk his trouble over
The pistol was accordingly given and Russum
followed the Captain down stairs until he got
within three steps of the floor, wien be drew
another pistol which the Captain did not know
he bad, and with it he blew his brains out
The unfortunate man fell at the bottom of the
stairway and instantly expired.
Coroner O'Donnell held an inquest upon he
body, yesterday and large amount of testmo-
nv was taken, but in substance as given above.
Mary Jane Smith, the young woman 10 whom
the deceased was attached, was put on the stand.
(She is a handsome girl, % years Of age.) Her
testimony went to show that the deceased had
paid marked attention to her, and offered his
hand in marriage on several occasions, which
she refused He told her be bad been divorced
from his wife. On meeting reinSals he manifes-
ted anger, and Said that unItss he married TO
her he never could be happy. On one occasion
he got angry and handled her roughly, hurting
one of her fingers She did not know whether
be was insane before he became acquainted with
her. The Coroner's Jury rendered verdict Of
''Suicide ~ piStoI-shot while partially de-
ranged"
The deceased was native of Baltimore, about
40 years of age. 1t was understood that deceas-
ed would be buried BY some friends in Green
wood Cemetery.
By a despatch from Philadelphia, we learn
that RuSsum formerly kept tailor shop in that
city, and was appointed by Gen. Taylor Colec-
tor of the Port of San Francisco, which office he
filled until removed by Gen. Pierce. His wife
is PhiIadephian, and was deserted BY him
about year ago, when he returned to San
Francisco W ith his eldest daughter, leaving three
younger children dependant upon their grand
mother. 1t is reported that he left San Fran
cisco worth $50, 1000.