Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1870-12-15
SUICIDE OF JOHNNY BURNETT

For the information OF Burnett
many friends and acquaintances in this
section, we condense from the Reese
River Rereille Of Tuesday the follow
ing particulars relative to this sad
tragedy: Deceased had been laboring
under great depression Of spirits for
some weeks, occasioned by business
difficulties, besides which he was un-
der bonds In the sum Of $1,000 for be-
ing engaged in a shooting scrapc with
Black, one Of his drivers on the Battle
Mountain stage line, OF which Burnett
WAS part proprietor, and he understood
that his bondsmen were about giving
him up. The idea that lie would,
therefore, have to 90 to Jail, seems to
have preyed heavily on his mind, and
was doubtless one chief inducement Of
his suicide. The rash and fatal deed
was committed at his room III Slusher's
Hotel, Austin, where he was stopping
with his wife, and the weapon used
was a d~ragoon-size six-Shooter. which
deceased has carried or had in his pos
session for years. He fired " shots,
only one of which took effect, entering
the right temple and passing through
the brain, causing his death in a very
few minutes. The suicide was diScov-
cred Immediately, as both shots were
heard by several persons. We select
the following from the testimony ellie
tied ut the Coroner's inquest, as it tells
the whole sad story:
Elizabeth Burnett, sworn-Am =
native of Russia 4; have lived with de-
ceased nearly two years; for about
four months past have noticed he was
In great trouble ; since last Thanks
giving Day he hiss. been. In great dis.
tress, owing to his business relations
with his partner. Mr.. Cope: about q
week ago he received a letter from Mr..
C. proposing to sell his interest in the
stage line; Burnett said he would try
and buy him out | advised him not TO
buy, but to sell out his interest. rs it
was the source Of a great deal of II
noyance to him; on Sunday he re-
turned from Battle Mountain; was
very much excited about the business
interview he had had with Mr.. Cope,
while absent lie seemed TO be very
much troubled for fear all his property
would be attached and he put in Jail by
his bondsmen; frequently spoke OF
killing himself; spoke several times OF
taking chloroform ; wished me 70 take
uoisoH with him and both die together;
would try to console him in every way;
tried TO get his mind Oft his troubles;
last night could do nothing with him;
he did not sleep during the night, but
seemed almost frantic; this morning
about ~ o'clock he got up but would
not 90 down to his breakfast; he must
have taken his pistol out Of the trunk
while I was absent from the room. rs
he had kept It In the trunk for several
months past as 500 is | saw he had
the pistol I ran out Of the door; lie
ATTEMPTED to shoot me rs | ran out. rs
he desired me to die with him called
Mr.. Slusher and told him my husband
had killed himself; the second shot
killed him; Mr.. Slushcr was the first
one who attempted to enter the room
after the shooting; Mr.. Burnett was
81 years old the 9th of November last;
know nothing of his family or relatives;
never was any domestic troubles be-
tween us; have always lived happily
together; the only reason for desiring
me to die with him. was that he did
not wish to leave me-"
The jury rendered a verdict in ac-
oordance with the facts elected above.