The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-04-17
SHOT THROUGH TIE TEMPLE.
Tragedy AT the Walnut Street House.

About fifteen minutes before noon the
report OF pistol was heard on the sec
ond floor, in Room No. 81, of the Walnut
Street House by a chambermaid and a
bel-boy.
They Immediately rushed up to the
door of the room from which the SOUND
seemed TO have issued.
They smelled the vapor of gun pow
der, but were unable to enter as the
room was barricaded from the inside.
Rushing down to the office they noti-
fed the clerks, two of whom fastened
up with Mr.. Green, the proprietor, and
broke open the door. On the floor lay
the body of one of their guests, Mr.. J. N.
Price, Of Chicago.
Messengers were at once sent out for
ply sioians, and Drs. o. E. Davis and
J. H. Buckner responded.
They examined the man, and found
that he was beyond tine reach of hui
man aid.
Mr.. Price was lying in front of bu-
reau, with an ugly bullet-hole through
his right temple and slight wound ur-
der his chin. .
From the appearance of the surround
ing objects, it was found that this was a
case OF deliberate suicide.
Mr.. Prlce, 1t seems, as will be shown
from letter to his wife, and which we
publish below, has been suffering lately
from despondency and illness.
He came to the Walnut-street House
on the 9th inst. from ST. Louis. Every
night alter his arrival the occupants OF
the hotel have heard. his restless walk
ings through his room and the corridor
on the second floor.
When not i'll his room, he would sit
down in the hotel Office, gazing on yacan-
cy, and with sau, respondent LOOK in
his eyes.
He retired to his room this morning
and locked himself in, after the servant
girl had brought him bis washing.
! He then went to his satchel aud took
out large patent hVe-barreled Colts
revolver. He next turned the looking
glass ON the bureau at an Angle and
opened the shutters OF a window, 80 as
TO have plenty oflight.
He raised the weapon to the right side
OF his head, and firing bullet Ihrougi
the right temple, fell to The floor wan
the revolver under him., His brains
were scattered over the lOoking-glass 8
and bureau, and OOZ d out in large
Quantities over the CARPET,
The dying man was found a q reIated
above, and the doctors called. They
found IL OF no use 10 probe for the hall
but eased him little by putting cloth
under his head.
His pulse was examined every few
minutes ana round to be beating very
strongly. At O'clock the Coroner was
notified, but the man not being dead, he
retired.
The following letter was found on him
addressed 10 his wife, Mrs. j. N. Price,
NO. S6A w. Harrison street, Chicago:
''sT. LOUIS, April IA, 1877
Il my DEAR WTFE-Since writing yOu
yesterday l have changed my mind,
and have decided TO go to Gin.
cinnati instead of Jefferson CITY.
Write me there and let Inc hear how
you all are. l am feeling very unwel
able 10 write at all.
Kiss the little boys for me.
"Your distressed hus band.
81. N. PRICE,"
A search Of his pockets revealed the
fact that he was not, as was at first sun.
posed, financially embarrassed, as S25T
in AAoneylwas found, besides a handsome
gold watch.
At 4 o'clock this afternoon he was still
breathing, but there is not the leasi
h0pe Oh his recovery.
His Wits has been telegraphed to. bu
upt0 this me no answer has been r, :
vsiyed,