The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-24
. A DISTRESSING SUICIDE.


AN AGED AND HIGHLY RESPECTED STEAMBOAT
LINE SUPERINTENDENT SHOOTS HIMSELF
One OF the saddest cases or suicide that has
happened in this city for many years occurred
yesterday afternoon board the steamboat ST.
John, OF the New York and Albany line lying az
the loot OF Nineteenth street. East River the
deceased being one OF the odesB steamboat
men In New YORK, and citizen who has ever oc-
cupIed the highest place IN tue esteem OF oil VINO
have known htm-Al0nson P. ST. John late Super
intendent OF the New York and Albany Steamship
hne.
II appears that at about three O'Clock yesterday
afternoon Mr.. st. John was on board the boat
bearing his name, which had been undergoing re-
pairs for some weeks past, walking on the deck
ana inspecting the progress made by the work
men VINO were engaged on IT.
He appeared TO be in hts usual health, which
was excellent for q man OF his age. as he was
over seventy-1ve years old and his looks and
converse ton betokened nothing OF tho fatal ace
he was about to commit Encountering the nrss
mate or the boat, Mr.. Null, o conversation en-
sued between them on various topics, the de-
ceased manllesting lively interest In everything
that was said. After awhile they commenced talk
ing about boat, progress being made upon is
and the date II was expected TO make Its next
trip. and the conversation continued on TINS sub
nationally and saying nothing that would in any
way indicate that anything was wrong wlth-nlm,.
further than that he felt little faint Alter leav
ing the first mate he entered the stewards room.
which was unoccupled, anu about ten
minutes after those IN the vicn We're
apparently proceeding from inside the cabin.
numoer oil the men rushed In aud were norrlned
at seeing Mr.. St. Jonn seated In o chair hls legs
stretched out on the foor aid his head slightly
thrown BACK and smoking pistol tightly clasped
in his right hama. which rested on his knee. Mes
sengers were hurrledly despatched Tor medical
aid, but inside OF few minutes and be-
n fnrn Nhw n
nate man mad breathed his last. The bali
mad entered the head lust above the right tenn
/ pie, penetrating the brain. Not drop OF blood
\ mad lowed, and MS features were as calm aud
| composed as II ne were only sleeping. Ills over
was found the back OF the caair and his hat
on me floor. The pistol with which the deed was
chambers or which, excepting the one unioadea.
were filed with unusually large bullets.
Directing that the body be not disturbed until
the ARRIVAL OF tne Coroner the ofncers OF the boat
at once communicated tne sad intelligence to
promptly notned Coroner EtcKhofi OF the fact and
also sent telegram TO the son OF the deceased.
Charles snrn 4: st. john Property Gere a.
once to the boat, ana was very
much anected az the sight OF his aged iatner cold
tragedy other tnan that the mind OF the deceased
must have been wandering at the time. He
stated tnat his laLher had only the day before
visited him at mis- olice and mad never appeared
in better health or spirits.
Coroner Eickhon arriving jury was en-
paneled, and several OF the men on board who
had talked with the deceased before MIS- death
testified but material facts further than those
ABOVE related were elected and the jury, alter
elaboration, returned the following verdict
We the Coroners jury empanellcd to inquire into the
invesic alton that said Aonson p. St John
his death about quarter three O'Clock r. n.
the I'D inst by pistol wound in the right temple in
icted himself while laborlng under temporary aber
ration OF mind.
Ii is supposed that the fatal acr was occasoned
by depression OF spirits on the part OF deceased,
owing a recent acIIon OF the Board OF Directors
OF the line OF which he was superintendent, VINO
at their last meeting retired MIN from the posi-
ton he had SO honor2bly and elncently filled Tor
more than a quarter oil a century, not because or
any fault or diicuIty with him but because OF his
advanced years, younger man being gwen the
place.
Although the veteran ex.Superiniendent never
openly manifested any feeling at tine change IL 10
tnOugnt by those VINO knew him Wen that ne
keenly felt II and that IL preyed on his mind anu
mace him sad and gloomy. IL this ~ the case
(and lt seems probauel IL IS more than likely that
the deceased contemplated beforehand the fatal
act selecting the place OF Its execution tue scene
or so many years arduous services, the boat beng
especially endea-ed him from the TACT that
some ten years ago when 1t was Quilt, being at
the time considered tue finest boat OF the line, IL
was named the ST. John, IN honor OF the super
4 intendent, who was most highly esteemed BY the
directors and stockholders OF the company.
II The deceaset resided IN Lafayette ". j., and
Y the remains were conveyed tnere on the train
last night Dy MS sorrowlng relatives.