The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-01
CITY ITEMS.
SUICIDE OF AN OLD CITIZEN.
u. w. EstIia Takes n PataI Plunge tn
the Mississippi.

u. w. E-tlin Takes PataI Plunge In
the Mississippi.
Yesterday morning at7 o'clock, Mr.. n.
w Estln, n nntive Of Philadelphia, and
for thirty-Ave years resident OF this
city, committed suicide by jumping off
the Fourth District ferryboat into the
Mississippi, aud few moments after
taking the fatal plunge all his worldly
cares we're nj ~ end.
The alarm 0f man overheard being
given, Mr. Meyle. the collector on board
the ferry, had her Immediately stopped,
and threw Il rope and u plank 10 the
unfortunate man, but poor Est
lin had taken this leap to
sever his connection with
the world. and he refused any assist
ance, and with q nod of the head, MS u
never TO rise again
His hat was found on board contain
ing the following telegram.
"bTH New ORLEANS. To n. W Estlln,
Galveston. in care Of CLARK x Byon
Come home Mt once, ] will do nothing
till your arrival. Say SO to Clark.
Robt w EstIin came to this city in
the year lsii. ana WAS emRloycb 2. +
0$olxkeepe to the ilr1n Hill, McI,enn a
90 This firm dissolved aud was after
wards known ~ II ~ w Hill At the
demise Of Mr.. Hill, Mr. Estlin became
ship was entered into under
the firm of Estiin Il lee.
Afterwards tho firm was known as H.
W. Estlin Il Go. While partner of this
firm he became involved in o quarrel
with u gentleman named Thos. Cuddv.
challenge ensued, and on bright
May morning. just before the war. at
Pass Christian, they met to settle their
quarrel with pistols.
At the first fire Mr. Estlin was shot in
the pistol arm Nainly did the seconds
try tc settle the matter, but Mr. Cuddy
called for the second fire. on the plea
That the insult was such that it, could
only hc washed out by one of tho prin-
cipals being left on the field The
duolists were again placed in position,
Nj. Estlin being forced to use his left
hand. The signal was given aud they
fired. Cuddy was shot through the alb
domcn and he fell lifeless corpse upon
the ground.
The killing of Cuddy brought great
depression ON Bob Estlin's S mind.
A short time after this sad affair the
war broke ont. aud the firm Of Il w
troubles to his mind and from that
time he has led chcckered life As q
business man he bad rare qualities, aui
but for his fondncss for ardent spirits
might easily have continued To com
mand u first place among our mer-
chants. Recently he went Oil mission
to Texas, in the interest Of Mr..
Saml G. Boyd OF this city, aud had
returned only a short time ago. The
telegram found in his hat was received
by him while there. On his return be
made three different attempts at suicide
on the steamer Maria Louise. one by
taking morphine. another time by cut
ting his wrist, in hopes Of sevcring an
.. md n third time by cutting his
throat in tive places and atterward al
tempting to throw himself overheard.
In the last attempt he was frustrated by
n prominent cotton factor of this city,
who happened 10 be- on board. ana he
was securely locked in his cabin aud
watched until brought to this city.
Tr Estin's landla1y, who lives at No.
Ill CHrondclet street. states that on
Saturday evening he made up his mind
to so and take bath. but she finally
persuaded him to defer it until Sunday.
as nc had Just had his thinner.
Yesterday morning, however, after re-
ceiving q dollar from her, he bade her
good bye. and went ont to commit sui
eide Bob Estlin was 81 years old. a
man Of rather rough exterior. He was
noted for his intelligence, indomita able
energy, and strict integrity in business.
Radical and duncompromiaing in his pre-
iudiccs he had nevertheless Il sympa-
thctic heart, and was fast friend.