The New York herald., 1877-02-09
q DID IT MYSELF"
Samuel Cantrsll Attempts to Take
His Own Life.
NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE ACT.
Imaginary Danger OF Financial
Embarrassmen

Captain Copeland was quietly reading the morning
papers at his dcsk rather the Inspectors desk, IN
the Central Ofce yesterday, when he was staricd oy
appearance OF young man, we'll nttircd but very
mucn excited asking for the officer in charge. Cap
tain Copeland looked up and received him. ana pres.
entity the young man bent over the desk leaned
on his elbows and with II manner nervous and inn
prcssivc, related something in an underlone lie was
T. s. Cantrcl OF No $3.50 East Finicth street. and he
reported the disappearance OF his father well known
centIeman-Samuel Cantrcll--who for many years has
bcen a dealer in fancy boots, shoes and other foot
gear. He had left the Fourth avenue store at about
four O'Clock on "Wednesday and had mol peen
seen subsequently. Tho son seemed deeply
grlcvcd at his parents disappearance ana
unprecedented that some evil had beiailcn him, ior
Mr. Cantrcl was an old man. and OF late his mind has
been unsettled and he was subject TO hts oi meian-
cboly Captain Copeland assured young Mr. Cantrell
that cvcry would be made by the police to DIS
cover tho absentee, the left to prosecute his
inaurics in some other direction. He returned in the
afternoon in state OF still greater anxiety and agita
ton and almost simultaneous with his appearance
came tho following telegram from The Eighteenth pre-
cnct:-
rnx A. M-snmuel cantre aged sixty, of No 2a9 Fonrth
avenue. shot himself in the head with pstoi ~ 'ne
Putnam House where he engaged lodging last evening
This was sad news for a to hear, aud for while
nc was almost overcome with grief and dismay. Then
he hurried to Bellevue Hospital, where tho dying man
had been brought with bullet wound in his head and
in a state oil utter unconsciousness
ruE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
About haf-past nine O'Clock Wednesday evening
an elderly gentlemcp well dressed, entered the Put
nam House. on Fourth avenue, between Twenty.sixth
md Twenty seventh streets. and asked Tor room.
Il took the register book and wrote IN a trembling
hand, IS cantrcl Northport, H. he ,nsn asked asked
No 2h6. He took the key and quietly walked up
stars his room. About ten O'Clock yesterday MORN
ING inc chumbcrmaid OF the hotel was alarmed by
hearing loud 256, as u the inmate had
upset the washs'and ana basin. she raped on the
door but received no response. Sne then called the
elevator tender he shook the knob OF the door
FAINT groan from the inside was The response He
then procured step ladder and looking through fam
lirht saw aman lying he ioor with blood trckling
from wound IN his head Then he notiled the
door. A pistol was lying tho wounded
man, but strange to say, no pistol shot
bad been heard the police Were ere r,h,ontS AZ once
precinct took charge OF the suherer, who proved 20
be Mr.. Cantrell An ambulance was ielcgraphcd ior
aud he was removed 10 Bellevue Hospital. The
roundsman asked Mr Cantrcll who lred The shot lie
simply replied,
The pistol IS an entirely one, and is marked
s'CoIt's - +" 1t contains seven chambers one of
which had been discharged. IL is now at The
Eighteenth precinct station house
Coroner Wotmnn, accompanied by deputy coroner
Cushman, called at Bellevue in tte afternoon, but
Cantrei being they were unable to take
his anle-mortcn statement.
MR.. cANrRELLs CAREER.
In a conversation with Mr.. CanLres son the follow
ing acts regarding the Old gentleman
Tor whose rash act it is difficult to hnd mo
e.-Thirty-iye years ago samuel Cantre
ga,ed in the shoe business. Hc was shrewd
business man and one who made u u point 10 master
eyery detail OF his affairs The result that he
prospcred became wealthy and, being OF entepris
ing OF mind engaged in various undertakings IN
different departments OF trade IN which he was for the
most part successful He operated IN real estate aud
owns present quantity OF valuable properly
on Sixth avenue lie one OF the orig
ipa shareholders the New York SIN,
and has interest in II still. In the Seventeenth
ward, where he resided or long TIME, he was as
socated with several political ORGANIZATIONS and has
held several honorary Official POSITIONS such as school
trustee. Mr. Cantell has always been man
OF good common sense and sound judgment,
but twice he has spoken APP
prchensycIy OF impossible financial dangers
which he iancied threatening HIM, and at such
times has acted strangely and not Mt all III keeping
with his usual habits. In 1867 he displayed signs OF
worriment, and expressed fears about his business
winch were entirely unfonnded, but which no argu-
mcnt could remove. Oi late he has cxhbi'ed the
rrly seemed TO prey upon bis mind, ana he spoke of
evils that could by means occur 10 IL man with
bank account like uis.
WAS HE DEHASGEDy
A week agO he spoke about leaving New YORK aud
going 10 Tennessee shortly after drew 500 from
the bank with winch he purchased railroad ticket 10
Richmond where he said he was going to see friend
He left home, but reaching Philadelphia came back
his INTENTION on Wednesday afternoon left the
Fourth avenue, saying he would rot return that
night His son did heed his words but when mid
uight and he failed 10 appear at home, the family
became seriously alarmed Yesterday morning search
was made Tor him. but II was unavailng, OF course,
and rst tidngs received Of his whereabouts was
the announcement OF his attempted suicide.