The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-06
SUICIDAL MANIA.
Where Whisky Whirls Its Advocates Mechan-
les Miseries-A Wheelwright in Paterson
Ends His Existence, and an Inebr,ate
New Yorker Follows the Example

Three years ago David Kerr was the foreman of
the boiler sn0p or the Danforth Locomotive shop in
Paterson, N J. He was the head of promising
and apparently happy family, and one OF Patersons
respected mechanics OF the better class Suddenly
about three years ago, the wheel Of Fortune
took an unfavorable turn for the respected
mechanic, and while at his work one
day he was Frustrated by paraytic stroke.
which rendered mOtOnless and p0weress
his entire right side. and in this miserable cOndi-
ton he remained until his death After This mtshap
he was obliged to leave his trade and tong time
was confined TO his bed. He arose "a mere wreck,
unable 20 WORK and only able to creep along with
the AID OF cane. TO adj to his misery it IS said
his wife, whom he had pampered for years, and
whose great desire for dress and display had been
gratIfed in every detail,
WAS UNGRATEFUL ENOUGH
to forget his years Of goodness and only seemed to
look upon him as a nuisance and useless appen-
dage to society. II is reported she treated him
very badly, driving him from the house ana beating
him upon more than one occasion. After while
some Of his former friends, taking pity on his mlser
able condition. started him in o little business by
setting hlm up as the proprietor or peer shop. IL
appeared TO he about all ne was able TO do, as he
was scarcely able to more than move around at
snail's gait.
David Kerr, probably to drown his own mental
troubles and PHYSICAL pains, soon became his own
best customer until finally he remained drunk the
greater part or the tne neTlectinQ his business
such manner that ut last 1t melted away atogetner
| anu he was compelled to accept charity for a
maintenance. For the last year or he has lived
alternately IN the Almsnouse upon the charity
Of his former friends, leading most miserable
existence.
His wife in the meantime had deserted him
altogether and started liquor saloon herself ut one
OF the small stations on the Erie Railway west OF
Paterson. She took good care to keep paid up how.
ever an insurance policy OF $1,000 on her husbands
lfe although, OF course rom the Xpected result
the investment is likely TO pay poor dividend.
no m no A( IN pfrln TYnnE
and Ladder Company to which Kerr formerly be-
lOnEed raised q purse Of some twenty dollars for
his benefit, upon which he has probably lived lately,
and of which the sixteen cents found In his pockets
after death was no doubt the last. HIS
MIsFORTUNES had RENDERED
HIM somewhat MnrOse and dl5agreeabe, so that his
'irends' dslikcd to take HIN into their families and
care for him.
On Friday morning he was last seen alive In the
vicinity OF 1.-The Cedar5," back OF the paper mill,
and the vicinity Of Passaic Falls. Ii is q lone.
some place and has been the scene or many an
outrage and death, and Is u favOrte resort OF
amateur gamblers on pleasant summer evenings.
ties were notified that there was a dead body lying
In the Cedafs, and although search was Immedi-
asy 1susa the Soa Was not found Until near
pistol charged with bnckshot the load entering the
face just above the upper lip and about an inch to
the right OF hls nose. passing through his head,
shattering his teeth and
BREAKING HIS JAwBoNE AND SKULL.
Death must have been instantaneous, as there
appears to have been no struggle whatever Near
his left hand the rIgnt being parayzed lay the pis
toll with one barrel discharged and the other
loaded In ms pockets were powder mask. some
caps DuckshOt, sixteen cents in money ana some
trnkets. HIS body was removed TO the house OF
the Eagle Hook anu Ladder Company, by the men,
bers OF which he Will be buried in respectable
manner to-day.
An inquest was held by Coroner Butterworth yes
terdav and verdict rendered OF death by suicide;
and there is not person among the thousands IN
Paterson VINO knew him but believes the verdict
Is correct.