The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-29
DEATH OF YANKEE SULLIVAN.
Suicide OF Francis Murray, alias Yankee Sui
llvan.

From the San Francisco Bulletin May 81.
This morning the notorious Yankee Sullivan committed
suicide by cutting into his left and bleeding to DEATH
The public are well aware that Sullivan has been in the
hands OF the Vigilance Committee during the last few days.
ant revelations as to the baobox sung in which many
high and low scoundres OF tins city engaged
for years past Until it decided what should
be taken with Sullivan he was kept in close confinement
He was however, allowed every indulgence in the supply
OF food and other necessary refreshments that the Com
mee could give His nervous system appears to have
been greatly affected and broken down by the tragic
events of the last few weeks. He witnessed the
on of Casey and Cora and since then has showed much
anxiety and apprehension on his own account. He ap
peared to have lost his appetite, and usually ate very
sparingly.
guard, and asked drink of water. He told the latter
that he had just had most horrid dream. He dreamed
that he had been condemned to die-he the guards
approach-they seized him and pniened his arms
they led him to the fatal window-the rope placed
round his neck-he stepped the platform, he saw
the deridng crowd, his sins crowded upon him-the
platform fell, he struggled-and awoke in the most
rghhu state Of mind The guard reasoned with him,
and tried to cheer him. He said that the Committee
did not mean to hang him. but only TO send him out Of
the country. Sullivan, however, was too much fright
ened to accept at first, the friendly consolation
He received the drink of water he had asked for and
aNor time appeared to be cheerful. The guard
then left him. About two hours later, when Suivan's
found his bed dead He dressed in his pan
falcons and shirt and lay extended his back He had
cut his left arm at the elbow joint on the inside to the
bone. The main artery completely severed and he
must have died in few minutes afterwards He innict.
ed the wound with the knife which he used to cut his
food with.
The body cold at this time that is probable
Sullivan committed the rash act Immediately after the
guard had left him. at six O'Clock Remorse and terror
produced by his dream, had no doubt prompted the
suicide. Two me&ical gentlemen were Immediately
called in, who declared that Sullivan had been dead for
some time and that he could have suffered pain He
had fallen. il were, into faint and in that condition
expired. Tho countcnance of the deceased showed
marks OF pain.
Sullivan has made important disclosures, to the Com.
mittee, the result of which will be known before long.
He confessed that he had been convicted in England
for stealing and had been sentenced to transportation
TO New South Wales for fourteen years When there
his bad conduct such that he had been placed by
the government under regimen Of the sevcrest kind,
different from those other convicts who underwent the
ordinary penal sentence He esonped, however, from
New South Wales. II was one of his greatest fears
that he should be sent back there ugan. He had
solemnly promised the Committee 10 fight no NOR
prize battles, to drink and quarrel more AMI
had vowed that henceiorth he would live honest
end peaceful life. He desrous TO be sent out Of the
country and promised that If he sent TO the Atlantic
states he would avoid the large towns, and keep himself
retired from the public gaze guilty conscience would
not allow him TO wait the course Of eyentsn sudden
ht of remorse and horror he ended his vile career.
generally understood outside of the committee
rooms that Sullivan would soon have been liberated or
sent out Of the country II also to have been
derstood by persons that he personally was under
the impression he might meet with other fate as
Charles r. Duane was heard to remark this morning that
Sullivan had said that than be branded and sent
from the country, he would kill himself. Sullivan
not the real name OF the deceased.
[From the San Francisco Bulletin, June 81
INQUEST ON THE BODY.
coroner's inquest was held yesterday morning the
body of Francis Murray, alias James Sullivan, alias
Yankee Sullivan Emily Mary Sullivan, the widow of the
deceased and various other persons were examined as
witnesses. The evidence showed that Sullivan was
haunted by IN intense and uncomfortable fear of being
hanged by the Vigilance Committee. No doubt this
fear unhngcd Suivan's mind and led TO his commit
ting suicide. Drs. A. 7. Bowie and A. f. Sawyer made
a post mortem examination of the body. They found
that with the exception OF the wound the inside of
the elbow, there were no further traces OF violence
upon the body The viscera Of the Chest abdomen and
head oil presented healthy and natural appearance ex