Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-12-10
FATS ABOUT COL. MORROw's DEATH
No known Cause for the Sad Decd-Hi.
Last Dnys.


morning, the inmates of the Occidental
Hotel were startled by two reports of n pis-
toll in the lhouse, following in quick sue
cession. On investigation, it was found
that Colonel Robert Morrow, Paymaster in
the United State Army, had committed
suicide, by shooting himself in the head,
The coroner was notified, aud an inquest
was held in a room adjoining the one occu-
pied by the deceased. The following Is the
full evidence elected at 3D.
THE INQUEST:
DR.. +. A. Holman testified that between
6 and half past o'clock this morning he
was called from his bed by servant of the
house, who said an army officer had killed
himself He went 10 the room designated
and found man lying on pillow at the
foot of the bed, evidently for the conve-
nience of reading, as it brought his head
near the gas let 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 minutes after the doctor entered the
room.
Hugh Sinclair testified that he is a night
Waterman 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 off 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. 1913 open. There was a
strong scent of burnt powder in the hall.
The deceased was lying on the bed, hold
ing a large revolver in his right hand.
Took the pistol and placed it on the bu-
reau. The wounded man was alive but
insensble. His eyes were closed. Called
DIR. Holman and he Immediately came
down from his room. Heard two pistol
shots in quick succession. The sound APP
peared like a heavy plank falling on
floor. Was on the third floor, in another
wing of the building, when the shots were
fired.
Dr.. Edwin Bently, who made an exam
inatiOn of the body in the presence of the
Jury, testified He found that pistol ball
had entered the roof of the mouth on the
left side, passing upward and backward
behind the left eye, lodging in the brain,
and fracturing the base of the skull in its
passage, producing nearly instant death.
j. l.. Jones testified that he was init
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 Ill. Was in the
store several times during the day, About
half-past six o'clock in the eXening they
went to Maison Doree to dinner, where
they remained until eight O'Clock. He
ate little soup, and said he felt much bet
ter. They then walked to the corner of
Sutton and kearney 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
soundly at night. When they separated
the deceased said he would go to bed, as he
had slept but little the night before. He
has mother and sister residing in Tennes-
see. Know nothing of any trouble on his.
mind. He was a man who drank wine
occasionally, but he drank nothing yes
terday. He was IS years of age, anu ma
tive of Tennessee.
Colonel George X. Brady, of the United
States Army, testified that the deceased
was Major and Paymaster in the army,
and Colonel by brevet 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 q
good sleep. He appeared unusually cheer
full. Know of no motive or cause for the
act. He purchased a book before going to
bed. -' .#r.. H.' .H-..... "....... ..
The ok-NIiddemarch-- on the
bed of the deceased was shown to the wit
ness, and he recognized it as similar in APP
pearance to the onepurchased last evening
.-..- VERDICT. ....'-
The jury found the following verdict
That the deceased came to his death on
the 18th day. of November, 1873, at the
Occidental Hotel from pistol shot in, the
head inflicted by himself. We find that
the deceased was native of Tennessee, an
officer in the United States army, and 2S
years of age. 4..- .... -..-..r. .....
(Signed.5 b. c. Whiting, Frank w.
Gross, James l.. King, w. II. Edmonds
A. Newman, j. b. Morton, w. X. Ben
jamin, ......I ..-
HISTORY OF THE DECEASED. %
Colonel Morrow received his commission
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 n paymaster in the army;
and two years ago was assigned to the.
Arizona Division. About month since
he came to this city from Arizona and set.
! tied up his accounts with the Government
1t is stated by his friends that he was re-
Gently assigned to duty in this city. There.
Is curious coincidence in connection with
the suicide of Col. Morrow His prede-
cessor as paymaster in Arizona, Colonel
Dana, also committed suicide about two
years ago, by throwing himself out of IL
| window of building OH Goat Islpnd
Colonel Morrow was n man of brilliant at
tainments and agreeable manners, and
possessed spirits of unusual buoyancy. He
leaves "A host of friends in this city to de-
plore his untimely end.
INOTE.-Private and reliable informa-
ton received at this office from Washing
ton GhnW that Col NorrOuIS ocoounts