The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-17
MR.. LALLY's SUICIDE.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION TO ASCERTAIN
THE CAUSE OF IT--HIsToRY OF THE DE-
CEASED
Two theories of the cause of the suicide OF Mr.
James Laly were advanced yesterday. Ono was that
he mad been enamored Of a certain young lady who
had refused him her hand The other and more pop
ular Is that it was n OF meancholia Tho former
theory connected the name OF Mira Coombs' youngest
daughter with tho rumor. The story is, however.
denied by all OF Mr.. Lallys friends
Mrs. Coombs was ny HgRALD reporter AZ her
town house, No. ITO Fifth avenue, where Mr. Laliy's
body is lying but to all the questions put TO her
answered, II can't say word" The reporter men
toned the fac, OF her daughters name beng con-
nected with the affair, and asked II there was any
truth in tho rumor. ~ can't say word" replied
Mrs Coon s, "we arc ANXIOUS not 10 have anything
more made public than can be helped. Mr. Lslly was
too good too nice man. l suppose when the IN
quest place the pubic will know all the facts"
She 'rcally could not say" whether Mr. Lallys rel
a,ves had arrived or not. The reporter aiierwsrd
learned That Mr.. Lays father ana brother would bc
Ia town to-day TO take charge OF the remains.
MR.. LALLY's LIFE AND DKATH.
Mr.. Barr, OF the coffee and tea hrm OF Barr, Laliy
Co., No. lis Water street. IN which the deceased
was junior partner, says that MT. James LaiIy had
been partnership with them Tor about year. dc
was sny years ola as' DsSemgsr sas d
Gated at Troy, studying 10 become owl engineer.
HIS relatives ,ivea NJ Lansing0urg He came 70 this
don Co. In 1868 he set up N business for himself
IN Tue coffee, tea ana wholesale grocsry trade. In
1873 ne retired aud Europe in the summer OF
int year. After mis- return ne engaged IN no oos-
ness til last year, when ne entered the hrm
he was connected with AZ the time OF his
death. He WAS what Is popularity termed
lucky mans all his business ventures proved
successful and on several occasions ne was the ia.
nothing whatever 10 trouble MIN except Ill heath.
About TWO years ago he went 10 Lousana and on his
return was attacked by mxaral fever. Al times he
complained Of headache and SAID he was ieeliug
poorly Al Mrs Coombs', where ne boarded Tor
ten years. subject TO frequent hts of aespond
ency. IL IS presumed tuat during one OF these hts
be omm,tted act which terminated his lile
de was highly respected BY aii who knew him. ana
generally admitted 70 DC man Of no vises. ne
never smoked or drank
THE ooRoNEK's INVESTIGATION
Coroner Flanagan has issued u burial permit and II
10 thought that the remains oil the deceased Will b
takea TO Norwak. whore his mosher 10 interred The
following testimony has been taken by the Coroner:
William Gross, being sworn, said-l am waiter II
the boarding house Of Mrs Coomes, a. RivsrdAle on
the Tucson: Last James Lally alive Al tho sup
per table tho evening OF tue l4th he acted ~
usuai be did como 70 breakfast In the morning Ut
the usual hour waited I'LL fifteen minutes past ten
wheu went 10 hts bedroom door on the ground noor
aud raped, but received NO answer; opened tho
door; 1t not lOcked; l called him found him SIT
s,ng In his rocking cnar by Tho open window, with
blood upon hts face aud neck; immediately wont md
informed Mrs. Coombs OF tho TACT; she came 10 with
me; then pistol IN ais right hand lying on
his lap; he dead.
Frederick Laiiy, being sworn, said:-I am boarding
at Riyerdae, on tho Hudson; saw James LallY yes
terday at ball past i've r. NJ, was returning from
cnurcn: ne pissed me In a carriage with young
friend al that nour; last saw him aivc Al quarter
past seven, sitting the piazza Ut the house, heard
OF MS death about from TREND; lett inc house
ut half past seven A. M. know OF no cause Tor the
commission oil the deed.
The inquest will be held next week.