Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-18
SUICIDE OF A BRIDEGROOM.
Jas. I. Fitzgerald Deliberately Takes
His Own Life.
The Deed Done In the Presence Of
His Only Sister.
ImpecuniOSity the CaHse-A Letter to
the Public Concerning the
Rash Act.

LAatG lEolGlldl dANlAnODn Italy DCOUl6
were hOrri6ed by the report that James 7.
Fitzgerald, a well known young man Of
this city, had committed suicide by shoot
ing himself. The report proved but too
true, and numbers Of Mr.. Fitzgerald's
friends, huTryiDg to the residence Of his
sister, just beyond the corporation line on
South Cherry street, found him lying pale
in death.
For some time past the deceased had fire.
quently threatened to take his life, but his
family and friends never believed that be
would commit so rash an act. Between 2
and 3 O'Clock yesterday afternoon, he
went to the house of G. v. WhittemOre,
an intimate friend and former partner in
business, who lives near the residence Of
his sister. He called Mr.. Whittemore to
the back door Of the store and said that he
was going to kill himself in less than ff-
teen minutes, and that he had a letter in
his pocket that would explain what be
wanted done after his death, except that he
desired to be kept in a vault for about a
month and then buried. The latter tried
to persuade him to Danish all such ideas
from his mind and go home. Fitzgerald
then remarked that he would never get any
nearer home than his sisters gate, and with
this he went TO her house. Soon after, Mrs.
WhittemOre went over too, when Fitzger-
aid read her and his sister the letter he
had written,
SHOWED THEM A PISTOL,
and said he was going to put an end to his
life. The two ladies tried to get the pistol
away from him, but did not succeed. He
sat and talked to them for some time, and
then asked If they would not let him walk
out on the porch. They assented, and he
left the room. The door was standing
open and his sister Jaw him pulling the
pistol out Of his pocket. She uttered a
scream and attempted to rise, but in an
instant more a sharp report was heard,
Fitzgerald exclaimed "Oh, Sallie," (mean-
ing Mrs. Whittemore), and staggered to-
wards the door and
ELL INTO HIS SISTERS ARMS,
she having reached him by this time. He
fred the fatal shot at i've minutes past 4
o'clock, and died in about a quarter Of al
hour. The ball entered his left breast half
an inch above the nipple. The weapon he
used was a s~ingle-barTeled cartridge pistol,
and carried a half ounce ball.
Deputy coroner Ryan repaired to the
scene and summoned the following jury
If inquest: John II. Pickett, foreman, w.
II. Craft, James Field, James Powers, John
NJ. Hooper, Henry Crawford and James
Curtis. After hearing the testimony OF Wm.
Regan and e. V. WhittemOre and wife, the
jury returned a verdict, that the deceased
came to his death by his own hand.
Fitzgerald was twenty-five years Of age
and had been twice married. Having been
divorced from his first cOnSOrt, he married
again about I'VE weeks since. 1t was avery
sad sight to see the
WIDOWED BRIDE
weeping Overthe body Of her dead husband.
1t is thought pecuniary embarrassment was
the leading cause of his suicide. Something
near a year ago, his mother died and left
him in very comfortable circumstances, but
he was rather reckless in his transactions,
and soon made way with what property he
had. a. the time Of his death he was ont
OF employment and this fact, perhaps,
weighed heavily upon his mind. On his
person was found the following letter,
which he had read to his sister and Mrs.
WhittemOre:
HIS LAST LETTER.
NASHVILLE, Tenn,
April 10th, 1875.
TO my Friends Of Davidson County: 1
seat myself to give you all the changes Of
my life. l was once thought great deal
of, but when l Come to have nothing, my
best Of Friends went back OF me, which l
thought they never would do; tho they
may have luck and prosperity. Well,
Mr.. &. V. WhittemOTe, / want you
to put me away decently and
nicely. Please bury me close to mother.
Give Josie all the kisses you can for me,
and tell Mary that she can rest easy for my
part. l do love the ground she walks on.
| know it is hard for a brother to leave his
only sister in this wide world TO seek for
herself. But l haven't got anything to COON
at the prest time. Glen, give my love to
Sallis and all your family, and ! hope that
we will meet in heaven. Glen, don't forget
what l told you tonight: Tell jerry Ma
honey TO forgive me for what l have done.
l have no more TO say, only that l am
going to leave this world hoping to find a
better one. Glen, don't Berry me until
Sunday. lido love my wife but l haven't
treated her right. ] remain yours Truly.
aJAMRs I. FITZGERALD.
up. S. Tell Mr.. Creach and Family to
Come to my bUrying."
His remains will be inferred at half past
two O'Clock this afternoon, the funeral
taking place from the residence Of his
sister.
When he read the above letter, he said it
would be in the papers this morning.