The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-04
A GAMESTER'S SUICIDE.


JOHN =. MURPHY BLOWS HIS BRAINS OUT IN
AN UPTOWN GAMBLING HOUSE.
At a little before three O'Clock yesterday morning
the quiet neghborhood of West Twenty eighth street.
near Fifth avenue, was startled by the report Of
pistol coming from No. IS, which is known as a
gambling house, kept by Mike Murray Soon
Rlter Patrick Downey, one Of the inmates
Of the house, out and notified Rounds
man Price, of tho Twenty ninth precinct that man
had committed suicide in the paror by shooting nim-
Sell through the head. The roundsman reported to
Captain Williams, OF the Twenty-nnth precinct, who
made investigation and found that the suicide
John Francis Murphy, who had room at the Sturtc
want House, whore he had been staying for short
time. He had come to this city IRON Hartford, Conn.
and believed to be a commercial traveller He took
his meals at different restaurants and in the habit
Of going to his room ut early hours tho morning
and sleeping very late On Thursday evening" at eleven
O'Clock, he went around 10 Murray's place to gamble
Ho continued ths until nearly three A. NJ, losing
about &c., and when he had lost his last check
quietly from the table and stepped into the front
paror, where he drew pistol and shot himself
through the right temple, causing Instant death.
The body was removed to the THIRTEEN street station
81 in money and a pocketbook containing q letter
were found. This letter is as follows-
NEW ORLEANS. 18th, 1879.
Ny name + Murphy Ny mother lives in Eisin. III.
recently from San Francisco. CS2,3,O)
Ihree hundred dollars deposit with Fellows Saw
ngs Bank in Fancisco also property in Of
W will So ~ Sss the o Bank
and Trust Company. san Francisco. Truly and ssney.
J. +. MURPHY.
This letter is indorsed-
My book. No. 6.753 is deposit with the bank
Ban Francisco.
In the room at the time Of the suicide Patrick
Downey, Charles Davis, J. =. Pyles and j. H. Victor
Coroner Flanagan went to the house and took the
statement OF Down'y and summoned tho others 10
appear at the formal inquest, which VIII be held
week. Downey's sworn statement s as follows:-
reside at No. ID West Seventy eighth street, havo
tho deceased until half past o'clock
p NJ. of tho I'd of August he came IN looking for
friend OF bis whom he had met In Now Orleans; did
find him here aud left returning at twelve O'Clock
midnight; he remained here; DRANK several times OF
brandy and btters; smoked two cigars did
intoA icacd, but in fact dcranged; walked up and
down the main parors, down In a chair by Of
the centre pillars just lew minutes before hts DEATH
when l was startled by the report OF pistol;
was in the paror at the timc; tho
doors open, however, which enter in
The back third ROOM where many
sitting; rushed IN, took hold OF his pulse, intending
TO summon physician, but found life extinct; noti-
did at the time know his name; know cause
tor this act except that II done under 1T Of
porary insanity.
Mr. Leland, the proprietor Of the Sturtcvant House,
SAID that Murphy, Thursday, sent $4,000 10 hts
vito, who is living in San Francisco. Murphy
about thirty five years OF age hve feet eight inches
hgh with very full features dark hair, mustache aud
imperial, and dressed well. His body was sent TO the
Morgue yesterday afternoon