Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-15
A fIffh Avenue Suicide - Tragic
Scene I'm an Aristocrafic Mansion.
From the New York World

A Filth Avenue Suicide - Tragic
Scene I'm an Aristocrafic Mansion.
From the New York World aIa
The crime of selfdestruction hos been
on the increase in this city for sometime
past, and q large number of suicides have
been reported TO the authorities, and
brought before the notice of the public
Last night another tragedy occurred,
which presents some new and UNUSUAL
features, one of which is that the actor
in the terrible drama was of the higher
rank of society. The police of the
Twenty.ninth precinct reported, between
nine and ten clock last night, that Jas
P. Bell, aged 28, residing at 2l8 Fifth
avenue, had committed suicide in bis res
idence, between 7:30 and $40 ~, by
cutting his throat with a razor. The
report also stated that the young man
had been dissipated for sometime past
On inquiry the representative Of the
World ascertained that the facts con-
nected with the case were totally at va
rance with the latter statement of the
report, and that the features of the affair
bring to light one of the snddest stories
of domestic life which has reached the
public ear for long time past. AA "
The house in which the suicide took
place is palstial mansion on Fifth
avenue, within o few doors cf Twenty
fifth street. II is occupied by r L. Pell,
Esq, very worthy citizen, and the sui
eide was his only surviving san. The
house is magnificently furnished; every
thing, from the frescoed ceilings to the
art pictures which edorn the walls of the
various rooms, evidence refined taste as
well as wealth. It is one of the finest
residences in tha. city, and presents as
elegant exterior appearance as it does
inside.
The deceased had gone outin the early
part of the evening with friend, a young
man named Bronson. They returned
about o'clock, when Mr.. Bronson recol-
lecied he had some business TO attend to,
and left the house, at the same time IN
forming young Pell that he would return
shortly. The deceased then went to his
apartments, which consist of bed room
and dressing chamber, on the upper floor
Of the heuse. He went mp stairs about
o'clock. At hslfpast 8 Mr.. Bronson
returned, and proceeded TO young Pells
apartments. Not seeing him in the bed
room, he thought be was IN the dressing
room, and pushing open the door. he
entered the chamber. As he entered he
half stumbled over the body of his friend,
who was lying full length on the floor, his
face down, razor by his side, and his
throat cut frsm ear to ear. Assistance
was at once summoned, the house was
alarmed, and Dr.. Bradley, of the Hof-
man House, sent for On the doctors
arrival, at quarter TO 8 o'clock, the body
of the suicide was still warm, though life
had fed. Judging from these facts, 1t is
thought that the suicide must have been
committed about o'clock.
James P. Pell, the suicide, was twenty.
eight years of age, well educated, aud
possessed of talent. He was of distin-
euished appearances, aud had all the i'm
press OF rentility. He had brother to
whom he was devotedly attached. They
we're inseparable, so to speak, and bore
the strongest affection toward each other.
The other brother died about year ago,
and since his death the suicide was never
tie same man as previously. He was
despondent, and continually complain
ing of the loss he had sustained by his
brother's death. he fell into ill.bealth,
went to Europe in order to recuperate
him self, end only returned a few weeks
ago. Since his return be paid visit to
Washington, accompanied by Mr.. Brou-
sop, and only cot back to this city few
days since. He was evidently 10 state
Of mental dependency, and even yester-
day. in a conversation with his father,
said LIE is not worth having now
that my brolher is gone. Every fact
sbont the case points TO the conclusion
that, despsiring of pleasure when de-
privsd Of his brothers presence and love,
be sought in death the happiness be
could not find in life