The New York herald., 1878-12-17
SUICIDE OF A MERCHANT.

Harry E. HOY SHOOTS HIMSELF THROUGH THE
Il HEAD--BUsINEss DIFFICULTIES THE CAUSE.
The firm Of Gait Hoy, publishers. engravers and
lithographers do business at No. Ill Liberty street.
on the second floor. front. Yesterday, about noon
the Junior member Of the firm, Harry T. Hoy com
mitted suicide by shooting himself in the head with
pistol Financial embarrassment is said to have
been the cause which led to the rash act. The dc
ceased visited his Office at the usual hour yesterday
morning. He Of taciturn disposition, and
whatever his mental troubles financial difficulties
may have been he did not mako them known TO his
partner or the other gentlemen associated with him
in the Office. He went about his work In the same
methodical manner. without betraying any symp-
toms Of an agtated mind In the Of the fore
noon his brother, Major william E. Hoy who is q
director in the Mutual Gasght Company Of this city,
called at the Office of deceased and his quick eye
tccted what escaped the notice of ordinary
observers, that there was something unusually
troubled in the manner and appearance Of
his brother. When questioned on this point
deceased confessed that no was downcast and
dispirited. He complained Of not having been able
to make his collections. and said that he in
sequence unable to meet the business requirements
and demands of the firm. Once having been drawn
into confession OF his financial difficulties he made
concealment of the trouble and anxiety which had
beset him for long timc previously. Times were
not they used to be- and in place of being so cir.
cumstnnced that the business OF The arm paid hand
some profit it was now by desp te effort that they
were able to make both ends meet. He had become
sick and tired OF the prolonged and unequal struggle
under such adverse and hopeless circumstances aud
was driven to desperation in consequence. He had
liabilities to meet but found himself situated that
he would be obliged to indefinitely postpone them.
PREPARES DELIBERATELY DIE.
His brother listened patiently to these gloomy
forebodings and tried to reason deceased out of his
despondency. Finding his efforts in this direction
met with but Indifferent success he started out to
collect certain sum which would tide deceased over
S na @ spts he sea t1 oS return
in the face The latter smade reply, but shook
hands with his brother and seated himself at his desk
ence which he. had broken OF on the arrival Of
the latter. That was the last seen OF
port of pistol resounded through the build.
ing. but 1t was supposed that the sound had
come from the street. The discharge Of tho
frearm caused but rnomentary attention, and IL
only subsequently recalled when the lfcless body
found with the fatal hole in the temple and tho
axed grasp Of the dying man This was the startling
sight which met the Mortified gaze of Major Hoy
wnen he returned to his brothers Office about two
p NJ.
THE SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY
The compartment where deceased had taken his
own life is parttioned OF the main Office and is about
3 feet by H. In order to reach 1t IL wouid first be
necessary to enter the principal Office. which is
being sitnstcd in the front OF the builne close 10
the windows. 10 the left and line with the
railing was the partiticnyd space which deceased
plainly. with desk few chairs and Brussels car
pet. The desk faced tho wall and was midway be-
street and ths entrance door % OPPOSITE 't mi. desy
deceased seated hinkelf q chair white making
preparations for the desperate deed which he con-
ttniplated and which he about carrying into exc
cution To conceal his purpose and his action from
pedestrians on the street and tho prying eyes Of peo
pie who occupied Offices tile way he darkened
tho room by pulling down the curtain. He then
seated himself at the desk and loaded chambers OF
y smith " Wesson seven shooter with cartri,pes OF
hose mr. uffaua Ia
presented the mzzc OF the pistol TO his right temple
and hred, death following almost instantaneous
weapon which had certainly and unerrinuly per
formed its work fell to the floor from his nerveless
hand.
lie was man In the prime of life and OF splendid
physique. Muscular and well built, with u finely
shaped massive head, hair cropped close q heavy
iron gray mustache, and dressed in becoming
ner lie looked like who would be- possessed of in
doinitabe courage to carry him through the worst of
fortunes buhets lie appeared to be abont foriy-h
years OF age, but in reality only thrty.two He
wac married. his wife aud children living In Mont
clair, n. j.
His brother, Major William y. Hoy, was the only
witness examined by Coroner Woltman In the case.
He said that deceased was In financial difficulties: he
was, however indsposcd to speak about his troubles
being OF rctlccnt disposition. The witness called
was pressed for funds. Major Hoy, upon learning
of this state of Affairs started to make collcc-
tons to relieve the pressing financial necessities
of his brother. When he returned about two l..
NJ, he found his brother dead In the Office with
pistol shot wound In has head. He had never heard
deceased complain Of being tired OF life, and had
heard him threaten TO commit suicide
After tho taking of the above testimony Deputy
Coroner Cushman made an external examination Of
the body, aud the Coroner summoned q jury, who
viewed the remains and rendered verdict death
by suicide, in accordance with the evidence A per-
nit then granted for the removal OF the body TO
the residence OF his family at Montclair N J from
which place IL will be inferred.
The deceased was man who was beloved for his
social virtues and strict integrity. He comes cf a
well known family. he has three brothers living
namely, Major Hoy, Robert E. Hoy member Of the
Stock Exchange. aud brother who 10 In this navy.