The New York herald., 1874-04-29
NON COMPOs MENTIs.

An Ex-Member or Congress and Quaran-
tine Commissioner Commits Suicide
Intemperance Ruins = Promising
Lifs-Singular Circumstances OF tho
Death.
singular case Of suicide has to be chroniced
from the usually peaceful shores Of Staten Island.
which place, singularly enough, seems to have no
sensations but those resulting from suicide, the
only matter of note having occurred on the island
since the attempted taking on OF Police Captain
Hobrook being the selfmurder OF Obadiah Bovine,
the sensation" which has now to be spoken Of
The mere name OF Obadiah Bovine appearing In
print Will awaken ancient memories among many
who viii read this record OF his last day. Antique
citizens will remember the time when that man
was power and when the people heaped honor
upon his head. But those days are so long gone
in this hurrying world OF New York that many,
who even voted for Obadiah Bovine for mem
Der Of Congress, In 1s4S may have this forgot
ten his name.
Mr.. Bovine was man nearly sixty years Of age,
the son OF large dry goods merchant In William
street, near Exchange place, at o time when the
retail trade was largely in that portion OF the city.
Young Obadiah went into the vortex OF politics,
and was remarkably successful. He was looked
upon as one who could rise to any political dig
mites did he wish 1T. After occupying several
local orlces he was nominated for Congress
from the First Congressional district of this
State, being at that time resident and
prominent man In Staten Island. This was In the
year 1S4s He ran successfully, went to Washing
ton. but does not appear to have done anything
remarkable as legislator. Instead or however,
learning the science OF government he learned
another, but easier one to follow. 1t win be re-
membered by those who lived in Washington at
that time what social temptations beset men Of
any position there. Banquets and suppers gave
Bovine taste for the pleasures OF the table which
he never had before. The passion tor strong
drink took possession OF him ana he
was seldom, II is said, without showing
some Of the signs OF the sad demoralzing propen.
sity. After his first term In Congress- being
spoken Of Tor renomlnation, he declined to run.
When out OF political position he appears to have
no more put any restraint upon his appetite ior
drink. He became dissolute; even depraved In
his habits. Still, even after this he was honorsd
with prominent appointment, as one OF the frst
batch OF Quarantine Commissioners. To MIN s
partly due the selection OF Staten Island, his own
home, as the place for the quarantine station.
in politics. but sank into depravity. Some ten years
ago Andrew BOVINE the father, died, leaving
He married the daughter OF Dr. Harrison, formerly
Health Omcer OF the port. She brought him
s. ms S @
tanned divorce from him in consequence or his
disposition TO drink, but some time later remar-
ried him during one OF his rare intervals OF sanity.
In the meantime he had been married to Brook
lyn lady, who died. Again he apsed into nis old
old influence. Bovine was appointed an inspector
OF street pavements in the Department OF Public
s1 as o Se was ne
year. Since that time he appears to have ha0 no
employment whatever. He had left Staten Island
at that time and was living In Eghty.stxth street.
New York, with his wife.
The circumstances Of the death OF Obadiah
nnx II4
told, to have been determined to meet his death
by his own hand. He called on Monday morning
sensation. wnicn It would pay to work i up. ss He
asked that y reporter meet him at I'VE O'Clock on
that day at the Staten Island ferry house for the
purpose OF going to the island together. Bovine
time mentioned. He spoke with them pleas.
saying he had an appointments. BOVINE was was
aboard the IerryDoas with strange man
and said 10 one that he would De dead By noon on
tuesday. As. however he appeared 20 be IN such
ana as his habits Were Known 20 ali Staten islany.
ers those who heard the remark thought 1t one OF
the results Of drinking. After landing BOVINE, In
Richmond and stopped at Hodges Hotel. There
they took supper and there passed the evening in
heavily BOVINE continued to speak OF ending
his life, and seemed determined In his puf.
lis room. HIS companion says that after roire
up stairs Bovine told him the history OF his lie and
tod many Of his old political battles victories and
defeats, and said that all his prospects had been
ruined by his mad passion for liquor. He then
said My time has come. have nothing fur-
ther TO live fora ruined and Q besottcd man
death Is the only resource.n Thereupon ne took q
bottle OF laudanum from hts pocket ana swallowed
1t hastily. The strange man ran down stairs CIV
Ing the alarm. In spite OF restoratves, Bovine
died at half-past eleven that night, being uncon.
sciOus at the time
The death OF so wen known character on the
Island mas caused no small Commott0n there, and
the feeling Is generally one OF pity ana regret for
one VINO could have used his talents so well an0
nave been shining light IN his country and his.
tory. seldom had man better opportunities, and
never did q man waste them more wantonly than
obadiah Bovine. He was man Of education and
good address, having been graduate at Prince
To-, Ton College HIS wife and two sons 1--we to mourn
his terrible tate. Coroner Lea Of Stapleton has
been notified to hold an inquest. The iuneral VIII
probably take place to-day.