Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-05
SUICIDE OF AN ARMY OFFICER.
Col. Robert Morrow Dies by His own
Egand-NO Known Cause for the sad

/
Hand-NO Known Cause for the sad
| Deed.
| San Francisco Bulletin, Nov q.
| Shortly after half-past 8 o'clock this
morning the inmates of the Occidental Ho-
tel were startled by two reports of pistol
in the house. following in quick succession.
Un investigation it was found Ll.as Col.
Robert Morrow, paymaster in the United
States Army, had committed suicide by
shooting himself in the head. The coro-
ner was notified, and an inquest was held
in room adjoining the one occupied by
the deceased. The following is the full
evidence elected at
THE INQUEST.
DR.. +. 4. Holman testified that between
6 and half-past 6 O'Clock this morning he
was called from his bed by a servant of the
house, who said an army officer had killed
himself He went to the room designated
and found man lying on pillow at the
foot Of the bed, evidently for the convent
ence of reading, as it brought his head near
the gas Jet. There were books on the bed
Blood was flowing freely from his mouth.
He was apparently dying, and had a very
faint pulse. He expired about fifteen min
utes after the doctor entered the room.
watcllman of the hotel. About fifteen min
uteS after six O'Clock this morning the office
| bell rang for him twice. Was on the third
| floor at that time. He went to the Office and
| the night clerk informed him that pistol
| shot had been fired of in the wing above,
and he had better go and see what was the
| matter Went to the wing and found the
| door of room No. 153 open. There was
strong scent of burned powder in the hall.
| Thedeceased was lying Onthe bed, holding a
large revolver in his right hand. Took the
| pistol and placed it on the bureau. The
wounded man was alive, but insensible.
/ His ewes were closed. Called DR.. Holman
and he Immediately came down from his
room. Heard two pistol shots in quick
successi, IL. The sound appeared like a
heavy plank falling on a floor. Was on the
! third floor, in another wingO the building,
when the shots were fired.
DR.. Edwin Bently, who made an exami-
nation of the body In the presence of the
jury, testified: He found pistol ball had
entered the roof of the mouth on the left
side, passing upward and backward be-
hind the left eye, lodging i'll the brain, and
fracturing the base of the skull in its pas
sage, producing nearly instant death.
J. L. Jones testified that he was lnti-
mately acquainted with the deceased, and
saw him about half-past eight o'clock last
evening. Yesterday he visited Jones store,
and they went to luncheon together. He
complained of feeling i'll. Was in the store
| several times during the day. About half
past six o'clock in the evening they went to
Maison DOree to dinner, where they re-
manned until eight o'clock. He ate little
soup and said he felt much better.
| They then walked to the corner Of Sulter
and Kearny streets and separated.
He appeared to be in good spirits. He was
usually in good spirits when well. He
complained that he could not sleep sOrndly
at night. When they separated the de
ceased said he would 90 to bed, as he had
slept but little the night before. He has a
mother and sister residing in Tennessee.
Know nothing of any troubles ON his mind.
He was man who drank wine occasionally
but he drank nothing yesterday. He was
% years of age, and native OF Tennessee.
| Col. George X. Brady, of the United
States Army, testified that the deceasedwas
a major and paymaster in the army; was
with him from 10 o'clock until half-past 10
last evening. He then started up stairs,
saying that he was going to bed to get a
good sleep. He appeared unusually cheer
full Know of no motive or cause for the
act. He purchased book before going to
bed
The book-Middlema on the
bed of the deceased, was shown to the wit
ness, and he recognized it us similar in APP
pearance to the one purchased last eve
ming.
VERDICT.
The jury found the following verdict:
That the deceased came 70 his death on
the 18th day of November, 1913, al the De
cidental Hotel. from pistol shot in the
head inflicted by himself with suicidal in
tent We find that the deceased was ma
tive of Tennessee, an officer in the United
States army, and Is years of age.
(Signed) B. c. Whiting, Frank W.
Gross, James L. King, w. II. EdmOnds
A. Newman, J. B. Morton, W. X. Benja-
min.
HISTORY OF THE DECEASED.
Colonel Morrow receiving his commits
sion as major in the army in May, 1867.
For two years from this date he served as
the private secretary Of President Andrew
johnson. At the expiration Of President
.Johnson's term of office Colonel Morrow
was appointed paymaster in the army,
and two years ago was assigned to the Arl-
| iona DIVISION. ADOut Il HlOhIH SIHCO- iS
came to this city from Arizona and settled
up his accounts with the Govern
ment. 1t is stated by his friends
that he was recently assigned
to duty in this city. There is a curious co
incidence in connection with the suicide of
Col. Morrow. His predecessor as pay
master in Arizona, Col. Dana, also COM
mitted suicide about two years ago, by
throwing himself out of window OF a
building on Goat Island. Col: Morrow
was man of brilliant attachments and
agreeable manners, and possessed spirits of
unusual bueyancy. He leaves host OF
friends in this city to deplore his untimely